School Counselor Salary in Nicholasville, KY: $64,288 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time school counselor in Nicholasville, KY earns a median $64,288/year (≈ $30.91/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 21-1012). Once you factor in Nicholasville's price level (11% below national, BEA RPP 89.3), that paycheck buys what $71,991 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 1.5% below the Kentucky state average.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
In Nicholasville, KY, school counselor salaries reflect both local demand and broader educational trends. The projected median annual salary for 2026 stands at $64,288, closely aligning with the national median of $64,335. Compensation for school counselors in this area ranges from $45,531 at the 10th percentile to $98,744 at the 90th percentile. Considering the American School Counselor Association's recommended ratio of 1:250, Nicholasville's staffing ratios are a critical factor in determining the employment landscape and potential job opportunities. With six school counselors currently employed in the area, the local market indicates both a modest level of saturation and a framework for growth, especially in the wake of increased funding for mental health initiatives following the COVID-19 pandemic.
About the Nicholasville Market
Salary estimated from Kentucky average ($58,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $45,531 | $21.89 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $50,968 | $24.50 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $64,288 | $30.91 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $80,274 | $38.60 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $98,744 | $47.47 |
Median Salary Position
0.07% below the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Nicholasville
In Nicholasville, KY, the school counselor salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $53,213 (2026 est.). At $64,288, the local median is 0.07% below the national median of $64,335.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in Nicholasville: You'd be in the lower-middle range
How Nicholasville School Counselor Pay Compares
Nicholasville median: $64,288/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Nicholasville Pays |
|---|---|---|
| Kentucky Average | $65,267 | -1.50% less |
| National Average | $64,335 | -0.07% less |
School Counselors in Nicholasville, KY earn a median of $64,288 per year (2026 est.), which is 0.07% lower than the national median of $64,335 and 1.50% below the Kentucky state average of $65,267.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Nicholasville 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.
Nicholasville, KY has a cost-of-living index of 89.3 (below the national average of 100). A school counselor earning $64,288 nominally has purchasing power equivalent to $71,991 in an average-cost city — an effective 11.98% boost.
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2019 BLS Actual
$55,858
2025 BLS Actual
$62,997
2026 Current Est.
$64,288
2019–2027 Growth
+17.5%
Salary Trajectory for School Counselors in Nicholasville (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 2.05% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $55,858 | Actual |
| 2020 | $56,916 | Actual |
| 2021 | $59,256 | Actual |
| 2022 | $58,894 | Actual |
| 2023 | $60,431 | Actual |
| 2024 | $51,010 | Actual |
| 2025 | $62,997 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $64,288 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $65,606 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Nicholasville metropolitan area, the median school counselor salary grew 12.8% from $55,858 (2019) to $62,997 (2025). At a 2.05% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $65,606 by 2027 — a total increase of $9,748 (17.45%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Nicholasville 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) | $45,531 – $50,968 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $50,968 – $64,288 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $64,288 – $80,274 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $80,274 – $98,744 |
SC, LSC salary ranges estimated from BLS percentile data. Individual school counselor compensation varies by employer, certifications, and specialization.
School Counselor Job Market in Nicholasville
The cost of living in Nicholasville, reflected by an index of 89.3, provides a favorable environment for take-home pay. This figure means that while counselors may earn comparatively lower salaries than colleagues in larger districts, their purchasing power remains robust due to more affordable living expenses. K-12 public school districts typically offer the best salaries among local employers, adhering to structured pay scales based on experience and education level. Variations in pay often stem from the traditional step-and-lane pay system, where factors such as advanced degrees, tenure, and additional responsibilities, like overseeing clubs or extended school year contracts, can significantly boost earnings. To maximize their school counselor pay in Nicholasville, professionals are encouraged to gain advanced qualifications, pursue leadership roles, and actively engage in opportunities offered by the local educational institutions.
More salary data for Nicholasville, 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 $62,997 for school counselorsin the Nicholasville 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 Nicholasville 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