School Counselor Salary in Richmond, KY: $64,273 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time school counselor in Richmond, KY earns a median $64,273/year (≈ $30.90/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 21-1012). Once you factor in Richmond's price level (11% below national, BEA RPP 89.3), that paycheck buys what $71,974 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 1.5% below the Kentucky state average.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
In Richmond, Kentucky, the projected school counselor salary stands at $64,273 for 2026, slightly trailing behind the national median of $64,335. With a salary range from $45,291 at the 10th percentile to $98,850 at the 90th, potential earnings reflect the disparities present in the job market. Local estimates derived from 2025 BLS data indicate a cost-of-living index of 89.3, suggesting that living expenses in Richmond are lower than the national average. This information frames Richmond's competitive landscape, where opportunities for school counselors may grow, particularly in response to the evolving recommendations by the American School Counselor Association (ASCA) for improved counselor-student ratios.
About the Richmond Market
Salary estimated from Kentucky average ($58,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $45,291 | $21.78 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $50,925 | $24.48 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $64,273 | $30.90 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $81,574 | $39.22 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $98,850 | $47.52 |
Median Salary Position
0.1% below the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Richmond
In Richmond, KY, the school counselor salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $53,559 (2026 est.). At $64,273, the local median is 0.1% below the national median of $64,335.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in Richmond: You'd be in the lower-middle range
How Richmond School Counselor Pay Compares
Richmond median: $64,273/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Richmond Pays |
|---|---|---|
| Kentucky Average | $65,252 | -1.50% less |
| National Average | $64,335 | -0.10% less |
School Counselors in Richmond, KY earn a median of $64,273 per year (2026 est.), which is 0.10% lower than the national median of $64,335 and 1.50% below the Kentucky state average of $65,252.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Richmond 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.
Richmond, KY has a cost-of-living index of 89.3 (below the national average of 100). A school counselor earning $64,273 nominally has purchasing power equivalent to $71,974 in an average-cost city — an effective 11.98% boost.
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2019 BLS Actual
$55,845
2025 BLS Actual
$62,982
2026 Current Est.
$64,273
2019–2027 Growth
+17.5%
Salary Trajectory for School Counselors in Richmond (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 2.05% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $55,845 | Actual |
| 2020 | $56,902 | Actual |
| 2021 | $59,242 | Actual |
| 2022 | $58,880 | Actual |
| 2023 | $60,417 | Actual |
| 2024 | $50,998 | Actual |
| 2025 | $62,982 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $64,273 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $65,591 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Richmond metropolitan area, the median school counselor salary grew 12.8% from $55,845 (2019) to $62,982 (2025). At a 2.05% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $65,591 by 2027 — a total increase of $9,746 (17.45%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Richmond 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) | $45,291 – $50,925 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $50,925 – $64,273 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $64,273 – $81,574 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $81,574 – $98,850 |
SC, LSC salary ranges estimated from BLS percentile data. Individual school counselor compensation varies by employer, certifications, and specialization.
School Counselor Job Market in Richmond
Currently, Richmond employs five school counselors, illustrating a niche job market for this profession in the region. The cost of living below the national average could enhance the purchasing power for those entering school counselor pay in Richmond, KY. Compensation varies based on several factors, including the step-and-lane pay structure typical in K-12 public school systems that rewards experience and advanced degrees. Additionally, offering stipends for roles such as department leadership can further elevate a counselor's income. To maximize earnings, aspiring and current counselors should consider pursuing advanced certifications or exploring positions in districts that emphasize mental health initiatives, particularly in the wake of increased funding for post-COVID support. This growing focus indicates that responsive hiring practices might elevate both salaries and counselor effectiveness in meeting student needs.
More salary data for Richmond, 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 $62,982 for school counselorsin the Richmond 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 Richmond 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