School Counselor Salary in Zachary, LA: $56,607 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time school counselor in Zachary, LA earns a median $56,607/year (≈ $27.22/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 21-1012). Once you factor in Zachary's price level (10% below national, BEA RPP 90.3), that paycheck buys what $62,688 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 7.0% below the Louisiana state average.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
In the aftermath of increased mental health funding post-COVID, there's a noticeable shift in the hiring landscape for school counselors in Zachary, LA. Projections for 2026 indicate a median annual salary of $56,607, with a salary range spanning from $43,690 at the 10th percentile to $87,742 at the 90th percentile. These figures, derived from BLS state-level data and adjusted for regional costs, reflect the growing emphasis on supporting student mental health in local school districts. With six school counselors currently employed in the area, the job market is becoming more competitive as demand rises for professionals who can offer guidance and resources to students.
About the Zachary Market
Salary estimated from Louisiana average ($58,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $43,690 | $21.00 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $47,264 | $22.73 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $56,607 | $27.22 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $69,076 | $33.21 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $87,742 | $42.19 |
Median Salary Position
12.01% below the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Zachary
In Zachary, LA, the school counselor salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $44,052 (2026 est.). At $56,607, the local median is 12.01% below the national median of $64,335.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in Zachary: You'd be in the lower-middle range
How Zachary School Counselor Pay Compares
Zachary median: $56,607/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Zachary Pays |
|---|---|---|
| Louisiana Average | $60,868 | -7.00% less |
| National Average | $64,335 | -12.01% less |
School Counselors in Zachary, LA earn a median of $56,607 per year (2026 est.), which is 12.01% lower than the national median of $64,335 and 7.00% below the Louisiana state average of $60,868.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Zachary 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.
Zachary, LA has a cost-of-living index of 90.3 (below the national average of 100). A school counselor earning $56,607 nominally has purchasing power equivalent to $62,688 in an average-cost city — an effective 10.74% boost.
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2019 BLS Actual
$49,184
2025 BLS Actual
$55,470
2026 Current Est.
$56,607
2019–2027 Growth
+17.5%
Salary Trajectory for School Counselors in Zachary (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 2.05% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $49,184 | Actual |
| 2020 | $50,115 | Actual |
| 2021 | $52,176 | Actual |
| 2022 | $51,857 | Actual |
| 2023 | $53,211 | Actual |
| 2024 | $48,710 | Actual |
| 2025 | $55,470 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $56,607 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $57,768 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Zachary metropolitan area, the median school counselor salary grew 12.8% from $49,184 (2019) to $55,470 (2025). At a 2.05% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $57,768 by 2027 — a total increase of $8,584 (17.45%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Zachary 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) | $43,690 – $47,264 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $47,264 – $56,607 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $56,607 – $69,076 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $69,076 – $87,742 |
SC, LSC salary ranges estimated from BLS percentile data. Individual school counselor compensation varies by employer, certifications, and specialization.
School Counselor Job Market in Zachary
The cost of living in Zachary, with an index of 90.3, suggests that take-home pay may stretch further compared to many other areas in Louisiana and nationwide. In terms of compensation, K-12 public school districts generally offer competitive pay structures, often dictated by a step-and-lane scale reflective of years of experience and educational qualifications. This variability creates a notable disparity in salaries, especially for those with advanced degrees or additional responsibilities such as leading programs or clubs. School counselor pay in Zachary, LA is influenced by many factors, including the balance of job responsibilities with the relatively lower living expenses, allowing professionals to maximize their earnings potential through careful career planning and ongoing professional development.
More salary data for Zachary, 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 $55,470 for school counselorsin the Zachary 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 Zachary 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