School Counselor Salary in Covington, KY: $64,410 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time school counselor in Covington, KY earns a median $64,410/year (≈ $30.96/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 21-1012). Once you factor in Covington's price level (11% below national, BEA RPP 89.3), that paycheck buys what $72,128 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 1.3% below the Kentucky state average.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
In 2026, the school counselor salary in Covington, KY is projected to be a median of $64,410, slightly higher than the national average of $64,335. With a pay range from $45,889 at the 10th percentile to as high as $99,170 at the 90th percentile, the local job market reflects the positive impact of increased mental health funding following the COVID-19 pandemic. As districts prioritize mental health support, the demand for qualified school counselors has risen, providing promising opportunities for professionals entering the field. These figures are derived from state-level estimates based on 2025 BLS data, adjusted for regional price parities, highlighting both the local demand and competitive salaries available within Covington's educational landscape.
About the Covington Market
Salary estimated from Kentucky average ($58,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $45,889 | $22.06 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $51,203 | $24.61 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $64,410 | $30.96 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $80,621 | $38.76 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $99,170 | $47.68 |
Median Salary Position
0.12% above the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Covington
In Covington, KY, the school counselor salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $53,281 (2026 est.). At $64,410, the local median is 0.12% above the national median of $64,335.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in Covington: You'd be in the lower-middle range
How Covington School Counselor Pay Compares
Covington median: $64,410/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Covington Pays |
|---|---|---|
| Kentucky Average | $65,258 | -1.30% less |
| National Average | $64,335 | +0.12% more |
School Counselors in Covington, KY earn a median of $64,410 per year (2026 est.), which is 0.12% higher than the national median of $64,335 and 1.30% below the Kentucky state average of $65,258.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Covington has a cost of living 10.70% below the national average, meaning your salary goes further here.
Adjusted salary = nominal × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average.
Covington, KY has a cost-of-living index of 89.3 (below the national average of 100). A school counselor earning $64,410 nominally has purchasing power equivalent to $72,128 in an average-cost city — an effective 11.98% boost.
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2019 BLS Actual
$55,964
2025 BLS Actual
$63,116
2026 Current Est.
$64,410
2019–2027 Growth
+17.5%
Salary Trajectory for School Counselors in Covington (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 2.05% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $55,964 | Actual |
| 2020 | $57,023 | Actual |
| 2021 | $59,368 | Actual |
| 2022 | $59,005 | Actual |
| 2023 | $60,545 | Actual |
| 2024 | $51,106 | Actual |
| 2025 | $63,116 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $64,410 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $65,730 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Covington metropolitan area, the median school counselor salary grew 12.8% from $55,964 (2019) to $63,116 (2025). At a 2.05% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $65,730 by 2027 — a total increase of $9,766 (17.45%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Covington metropolitan area, sourced from annual Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics surveys. 2026–2026 figures are current estimates, and 2027 values are projections, calculated using a 2.05% CAGR derived from 7-year BLS historical data. Actual salaries may vary based on employer, experience, certifications, and local market conditions.
Salary by Experience Level
| Experience | Estimated Salary Range |
|---|---|
| 0-2 years (New Graduate) | $45,889 – $51,203 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $51,203 – $64,410 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $64,410 – $80,621 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $80,621 – $99,170 |
SC, LSC salary ranges estimated from BLS percentile data. Individual school counselor compensation varies by employer, certifications, and specialization.
School Counselor Job Market in Covington
The job market for school counselors in Covington consists of a small but dedicated group of nine professionals, which signifies a commendable level of engagement. However, living costs are lower than the national average, with a cost of living index of 89.3, meaning that the purchasing power for counselors in the area can be favorable despite a relatively modest salary scale. The highest-paying employers often include K-12 public school districts, which adhere to a step-and-lane salary schema linked to education and experience. Variations in compensation arise from factors such as extended school year contracts, stipends for additional roles, and the level of advanced education achieved—such as having a master's degree, master's plus 30 additional credits, or a doctorate. For school counselors looking to maximize their salary in Covington, pursuing advanced qualifications and seeking leadership roles can greatly enhance earning potential, especially as increasing mental health support draws more attention and funding within the education sector.
More salary data for Covington, KY:
Frequently Asked Questions
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Written by Maria Gonzalez, M.Ed.
Content Lead
Maria has over 10 years of experience in school counseling. She specializes in academic and emotional support for high school students. She works at a public high school in California.
Methodology & Data Source
Salary figures on this page are 2026 projections based on the Bureau of Labor Statistics Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS) survey, May 2026 release. The BLS reported a median annual salary of $63,116 for school counselorsin the Covington metropolitan area. A 2.05% compound annual growth rate (CAGR), calculated from 6-year national BLS wage trends, was applied to project current 2026 compensation. Percentile ranges (P10–P90) represent the full salary distribution across experience levels and practice settings in this market.
Data Sources & Methodology
Salary data for Covington is estimated from official BLS state-level occupational wage data (2025), adjusted for regional cost-of-living differences using BEA RPP (Regional Price Parities).
2026 figures are projected from 2025 BLS data using a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 2.05%, derived from historical BLS wage trends for school counselors (SOC 21-1012).
Compiled and verified by Maria Gonzalez, M.Ed., a licensed school counselor with 10+ years of clinical experience. · View source data at BLS.gov