School Counselor Salary in Lexington, KY: $65,235 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time school counselor in Lexington, KY earns a median $65,235/year (≈ $31.36/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 21-1012). Once you factor in Lexington's price level (7% below national, BEA RPP 92.9), that paycheck buys what $70,229 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 0.1% below the Kentucky state average.
Official BLS data · View source
Lexington, KY presents a competitive school counselor salary landscape with a projected median annual income of $65,235 for 2026, slightly above the national average of $64,335. The salary spectrum for school counselors in this region ranges from $44,184 at the 10th percentile to $89,168 at the 90th percentile, reflecting the diverse roles and responsibilities that come with various levels of experience and education. This data is derived from official Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) OEWS surveys, highlighting the strategic importance of education in local communities. Prospective school counselors can expect structured compensation pathways, typically following a step-and-lane scale, where higher placements often accompany advanced degrees, thus enhancing earning potential amid an increasing demand for mental health support in schools.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $44,184 | $21.25 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $55,495 | $26.69 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $65,235 | $31.36 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $76,857 | $36.95 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $89,168 | $42.86 |
Median Salary Position
1.40% above the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Lexington
In Lexington, KY, the school counselor salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $44,984 (2026 est.). At $65,235, the local median is 1.4% above the national median of $64,335.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in Lexington: You'd be in the lower-middle range
How Lexington School Counselor Pay Compares
Lexington median: $65,235/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Lexington Pays |
|---|---|---|
| Kentucky Average | $65,301 | -0.10% less |
| National Average | $64,335 | +1.40% more |
School Counselors in Lexington, KY earn a median of $65,235 per year (2026 est.), which is 1.40% higher than the national median of $64,335 and 0.10% below the Kentucky state average of $65,301.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Lexington has a cost of living 7.11% below the national average, meaning your salary goes further here.
Adjusted salary = nominal × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average.
Lexington, KY has a cost-of-living index of 92.889 (below the national average of 100). A school counselor earning $65,235 nominally has purchasing power equivalent to $70,229 in an average-cost city — an effective 7.66% boost.
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2019 BLS Actual
$65,160
2025 BLS Actual
$63,925
2026 Current Est.
$65,235
2019–2027 Growth
+2.2%
Salary Trajectory for School Counselors in Lexington (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 2.05% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $65,160 | Actual |
| 2020 | $50,970 | Actual |
| 2021 | $49,300 | Actual |
| 2022 | $51,320 | Actual |
| 2023 | $58,420 | Actual |
| 2024 | $64,690 | Actual |
| 2025 | $63,925 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $65,235 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $66,573 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Lexington metropolitan area, the median school counselor salary grew -1.9% from $65,160 (2019) to $63,925 (2025). At a 2.05% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $66,573 by 2027 — a total increase of $1,413 (2.17%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Lexington 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) | $44,184 – $55,495 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $55,495 – $65,235 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $65,235 – $76,857 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $76,857 – $89,168 |
SC, LSC salary ranges estimated from BLS percentile data. Individual school counselor compensation varies by employer, certifications, and specialization.
School Counselor Job Market in Lexington
When analyzing the local job market, it’s clear that with approximately 830 school counselors employed in the area, Lexington's education sector offers robust opportunities for professionals in this field. The cost-of-living index stands at 92.889, which indicates that counselors may enjoy a favorable purchasing power relative to other regions. Among the various education employers, K-12 public school districts generally offer the most competitive pay structures, aligning with the step-and-lane pay scale based on years of service and educational qualifications. Factors influencing the pay scale vary greatly, especially with higher compensation for advanced-degree holders and those in specialized roles, such as extended school year contracts or summer programs. For school counselors seeking to maximize their earning potential in Lexington, pursuing further education, applying for stipends for additional responsibilities, and focusing on securing positions within the highest-paying districts can be effective strategies.
More salary data for Lexington, 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 $63,925 for school counselorsin the Lexington 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