School Counselor Salary in Sulphur, LA: $56,283 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time school counselor in Sulphur, LA earns a median $56,283/year (≈ $27.06/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 21-1012). Once you factor in Sulphur's price level (10% below national, BEA RPP 90.3), that paycheck buys what $62,329 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 7.5% below the Louisiana state average.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
In Sulphur, LA, school counseling positions are reflected in a 2026 median annual salary of $56,283, which marks a noticeable gap compared to the national median of $64,335. The projected salary range for these roles spans from $42,957 to $85,856, illustrating a diverse compensation landscape that takes into account varying levels of experience and education. Such figures are derived from 2025 BLS data, adjusted for local economic conditions, indicating both opportunities and disparities in the local market. This is particularly relevant against the backdrop of current counselor-to-student ratios, which significantly exceed the ASCA-recommended 1:250, emphasizing the demand for counselor support in schools across the region.
About the Sulphur Market
Salary estimated from Louisiana average ($58,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $42,957 | $20.65 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $46,598 | $22.40 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $56,283 | $27.06 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $70,345 | $33.82 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $85,856 | $41.28 |
Median Salary Position
12.52% below the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Sulphur
In Sulphur, LA, the school counselor salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $42,899 (2026 est.). At $56,283, the local median is 12.52% below the national median of $64,335.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in Sulphur: You'd be in the lower-middle range
How Sulphur School Counselor Pay Compares
Sulphur median: $56,283/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Sulphur Pays |
|---|---|---|
| Louisiana Average | $60,846 | -7.50% less |
| National Average | $64,335 | -12.52% less |
School Counselors in Sulphur, LA earn a median of $56,283 per year (2026 est.), which is 12.52% lower than the national median of $64,335 and 7.50% below the Louisiana state average of $60,846.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Sulphur has a cost of living 9.70% below the national average, meaning your salary goes further here.
Adjusted salary = nominal × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average.
Sulphur, LA has a cost-of-living index of 90.3 (below the national average of 100). A school counselor earning $56,283 nominally has purchasing power equivalent to $62,329 in an average-cost city — an effective 10.74% boost.
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2019 BLS Actual
$48,902
2025 BLS Actual
$55,152
2026 Current Est.
$56,283
2019–2027 Growth
+17.5%
Salary Trajectory for School Counselors in Sulphur (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 2.05% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $48,902 | Actual |
| 2020 | $49,828 | Actual |
| 2021 | $51,877 | Actual |
| 2022 | $51,560 | Actual |
| 2023 | $52,906 | Actual |
| 2024 | $48,430 | Actual |
| 2025 | $55,152 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $56,283 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $57,436 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Sulphur metropolitan area, the median school counselor salary grew 12.8% from $48,902 (2019) to $55,152 (2025). At a 2.05% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $57,436 by 2027 — a total increase of $8,534 (17.45%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Sulphur 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) | $42,957 – $46,598 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $46,598 – $56,283 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $56,283 – $70,345 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $70,345 – $85,856 |
SC, LSC salary ranges estimated from BLS percentile data. Individual school counselor compensation varies by employer, certifications, and specialization.
School Counselor Job Market in Sulphur
The job market strength in Sulphur is modest, with just five school counselors currently employed in the area, raising questions about both availability and competition for positions. The local cost of living, indexed at 90.3, suggests that take-home pay may not stretch as far when coupled with the area's salary levels, thus impacting potential financial wellness. Among local employers, K-12 public school districts typically offer the most competitive salaries, although charter and private institutions can provide advantageous compensation packages based on their specific funding models. Factors influencing the wide pay range include a structured step-and-lane pay scale based on years of experience and education, along with additional funding for extended contracts and stipends for leadership roles. Counselors aiming to maximize their earning potential in Sulphur should consider pursuing advanced qualifications and seeking out positions in districts that can offer additional salary incentives or summer program opportunities.
More salary data for Sulphur, LA:
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 $55,152 for school counselorsin the Sulphur 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 Sulphur 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