School Counselor Salary in Elizabethtown, KY: $82,778 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time school counselor in Elizabethtown, KY earns a median $82,778/year (≈ $39.79/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 21-1012). Once you factor in Elizabethtown's price level (9% below national, BEA RPP 90.6), that paycheck buys what $91,395 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 26.8% above the Kentucky state average.
Official BLS data · View source
In Elizabethtown, Kentucky, the landscape of school counselor salaries indicates a median annual earnings of $82,778 as of 2026. This figure not only highlights the local commitment to the profession but also presents a striking 28.67% higher pay than the national median of $64,335. Salary ranges significantly vary, from $42,794 at the 10th percentile to $106,339 at the 90th percentile. Derived from official Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) data, these figures consider a variety of educational backgrounds and experience levels, following the step-and-lane pay structure typical in K-12 settings. With education funding expanding post-COVID, Elizabethtown offers promising opportunities for school counselors, especially those equipped with the right credentials and experience to maximize their potential within the local job market.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $42,794 | $20.57 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $61,116 | $29.38 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $82,778 | $39.79 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $83,307 | $40.05 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $106,339 | $51.13 |
Median Salary Position
28.67% above the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Elizabethtown
In Elizabethtown, KY, the school counselor salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $63,545 (2026 est.). At $82,778, the local median is 28.67% above the national median of $64,335.
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How Elizabethtown School Counselor Pay Compares
Elizabethtown median: $82,778/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Elizabethtown Pays |
|---|---|---|
| Kentucky Average | $65,282 | +26.80% more |
| National Average | $64,335 | +28.67% more |
School Counselors in Elizabethtown, KY earn a median of $82,778 per year (2026 est.), which is 28.67% higher than the national median of $64,335 and 26.80% above the Kentucky state average of $65,282.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Elizabethtown has a cost of living 9.43% below the national average, meaning your salary goes further here.
Adjusted salary = nominal × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average.
Elizabethtown, KY has a cost-of-living index of 90.572 (below the national average of 100). A school counselor earning $82,778 nominally has purchasing power equivalent to $91,395 in an average-cost city — an effective 10.41% boost.
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2019 BLS Actual
$72,060
2025 BLS Actual
$81,115
2026 Current Est.
$82,778
2019–2027 Growth
+17.2%
Salary Trajectory for School Counselors in Elizabethtown (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 2.05% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $72,060 | Actual |
| 2020 | $72,900 | Actual |
| 2021 | $76,490 | Actual |
| 2022 | $81,540 | Actual |
| 2023 | $74,120 | Actual |
| 2024 | $80,500 | Actual |
| 2025 | $81,115 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $82,778 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $84,475 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Elizabethtown metropolitan area, the median school counselor salary grew 12.6% from $72,060 (2019) to $81,115 (2025). At a 2.05% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $84,475 by 2027 — a total increase of $12,415 (17.23%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Elizabethtown 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) | $42,794 – $61,116 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $61,116 – $82,778 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $82,778 – $83,307 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $83,307 – $106,339 |
SC, LSC salary ranges estimated from BLS percentile data. Individual school counselor compensation varies by employer, certifications, and specialization.
School Counselor Job Market in Elizabethtown
As of 2026, the local job market employs around 100 school counselors in Elizabethtown. The cost-of-living index of 90.572 suggests that life here is more affordable compared to many other regions, which impacts the overall purchasing power for these professionals. Among Elizabethtown's educational employers, K-12 public school districts generally offer the best compensation. The disparity in pay within the school counselor salary brackets arises from factors such as years of experience, additional educational qualifications, potential stipends for extracurricular roles, and extended school year contracts. To maximize earning potential in Elizabethtown, counselors should consider pursuing certifications beyond the master's level and seek out advanced placements in the district's step-and-lane scale, as these factors significantly influence salary negotiation and overall financial well-being in this vibrant Kentucky community.
More salary data for Elizabethtown, 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 $81,115 for school counselorsin the Elizabethtown 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
Source: BLS, OEWS, 7-year dataset (–). Per-city data from annual BLS metropolitan area surveys.
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