School Counselor Salary in Madisonville, KY: $62,187 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time school counselor in Madisonville, KY earns a median $62,187/year (≈ $29.90/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 21-1012). Once you factor in Madisonville's price level (11% below national, BEA RPP 89.3), that paycheck buys what $69,638 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 4.7% below the Kentucky state average.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
In 2026, the salary for school counselors in Madisonville, KY, is projected to be $62,187, which reflects a modest 3.34% decrease compared to the national median of $64,335. This salary range spans from $45,321 at the lower end for entry-level positions to $92,347 for those at the top of their careers. The compensation figures are based on 2025 BLS data, adjusted for local market conditions and cost-of-living factors. Despite low counselor-to-student ratios in many local districts not meeting the ASCA's 1:250 recommendation, the current financial landscape offers an avenue for aspiring school counselors to negotiate competitive salaries as school systems increasingly recognize the importance of mental health support post-COVID.
About the Madisonville Market
Salary estimated from Kentucky average ($58,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $45,321 | $21.79 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $49,929 | $24.00 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $62,187 | $29.90 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $76,353 | $36.71 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $92,347 | $44.40 |
Median Salary Position
3.34% below the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Madisonville
In Madisonville, KY, the school counselor salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $47,026 (2026 est.). At $62,187, the local median is 3.34% below the national median of $64,335.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in Madisonville: You'd be in the lower-middle range
How Madisonville School Counselor Pay Compares
Madisonville median: $62,187/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Madisonville Pays |
|---|---|---|
| Kentucky Average | $65,254 | -4.70% less |
| National Average | $64,335 | -3.34% less |
School Counselors in Madisonville, KY earn a median of $62,187 per year (2026 est.), which is 3.34% lower than the national median of $64,335 and 4.70% below the Kentucky state average of $65,254.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Madisonville 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.
Madisonville, KY has a cost-of-living index of 89.3 (below the national average of 100). A school counselor earning $62,187 nominally has purchasing power equivalent to $69,638 in an average-cost city — an effective 11.98% boost.
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2019 BLS Actual
$54,032
2025 BLS Actual
$60,938
2026 Current Est.
$62,187
2019–2027 Growth
+17.5%
Salary Trajectory for School Counselors in Madisonville (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 2.05% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $54,032 | Actual |
| 2020 | $55,055 | Actual |
| 2021 | $57,319 | Actual |
| 2022 | $56,969 | Actual |
| 2023 | $58,456 | Actual |
| 2024 | $49,343 | Actual |
| 2025 | $60,938 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $62,187 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $63,462 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Madisonville metropolitan area, the median school counselor salary grew 12.8% from $54,032 (2019) to $60,938 (2025). At a 2.05% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $63,462 by 2027 — a total increase of $9,430 (17.45%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Madisonville 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) | $45,321 – $49,929 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $49,929 – $62,187 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $62,187 – $76,353 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $76,353 – $92,347 |
SC, LSC salary ranges estimated from BLS percentile data. Individual school counselor compensation varies by employer, certifications, and specialization.
School Counselor Job Market in Madisonville
Madisonville's job market for school counselors currently holds five positions, which indicates a relatively stable employment environment. Serving a community with a cost-of-living index of 89.3 suggests that the take-home purchasing power for local counselors may be better than it initially appears. Among the various educational institutions, public K-12 school districts in Madisonville tend to provide the highest salaries, with pay structure dictated by a step-and-lane system based on years of experience and educational qualifications. Factors such as advanced degrees, additional certifications, and roles like department heads or club advisors can significantly enhance earnings. To maximize school counselor pay in Madisonville, consider pursuing further education beyond a master's degree, seeking summer program stipends, and advocating for positions that include extended contracts, as these strategies can lead to greater financial reward in this competitive landscape.
More salary data for Madisonville, 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 $60,938 for school counselorsin the Madisonville 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 Madisonville 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