School Counselor Salary in Minnesota: $64,145 (2026)
Quick Answer:Across Minnesota's 44 metropolitan areas, the average median school counselor pay sits at $64,145/year heading into 2026 — a figure projected from 2025 BLS OEWS wage data for SOC 21-1012. Because Minnesota sits at BEA RPP 98.5 (1% below the U.S. baseline), that statewide median translates to roughly $65,122 in nationally-comparable purchasing power. Highest-paying metros: Rochester ($65,239), Maple Grove ($64,167), Woodbury ($64,142).
In 2026, the average median salary for school counselors in Minnesota is projected to be $64,145, which is slightly below the national median of $64,335, resulting in a difference of -0.3%. The salary for school counselors varies significantly across the state, with Rochester offering the highest average at $66,576, while Duluth presents the lowest at $59,285. This $7,291 gap can be attributed to factors such as local cost of living, school district funding, and demand for counselors in different regions. Minnesota has specific licensing requirements that school counselors must meet, including obtaining a master's degree in counseling and completing a supervised internship. The demand for school counselors is driven by trends such as increasing student enrollment, mental health awareness, and a growing emphasis on social and emotional learning in schools. With a projected employment growth rate of 2.05%, the job market for school counselors appears stable, providing opportunities across the state. Major metro areas like Maple Grove ($65,482), Woodbury ($65,457), Eden Prairie ($65,395), and St. Cloud ($64,916) also reflect healthy salary prospects for school counselors, mirroring the overall demand for these professionals.
Minnesota School Counselor Salary Range
Overall salary range in Minnesota: $42,153 (lowest entry-level) to $101,498 (highest top earner)
Minnesota vs National Average
Minnesota school counselors earn 0.3% less than the national median ($-190/year difference).
Minnesota School Counselor Salary Distribution (2026)
School Counselor salaries in Minnesota range from $48,289 (entry-level, 10th percentile) to $96,465 (top earners, 90th percentile), with a median of $64,145. The Minnesota median is $190 below the US national median of $64,335. The average hourly rate is $30.84/hr. Approximately 4,082 school counselors are employed across 44 cities.
2019 BLS Actual
$57,593
2025 BLS Actual
$62,856
2026 Current Est.
$64,145
2019–2027 Growth
+13.7%
Salary Trajectory for School Counselors in Minnesota (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 2.05% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $57,593 | Actual |
| 2020 | $58,744 | Actual |
| 2021 | $59,542 | Actual |
| 2022 | $60,968 | Actual |
| 2023 | $61,282 | Actual |
| 2024 | $64,087 | Actual |
| 2025 | $62,856 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $64,145 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $65,460 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Minnesota metropolitan area, the median school counselor salary grew 9.1% from $57,593 (2019) to $62,856 (2025). At a 2.05% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $65,460 by 2027 — a total increase of $7,867 (13.66%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Minnesota 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.
Top 5 Highest Paying Cities in Minnesota
Lowest Paying Cities in Minnesota
Best Value Cities for School Counselors in Minnesota
When adjusted for local cost of living, these Minnesota cities offer the most purchasing power for school counselors.
| City | Nominal Salary | CoL Index | Adjusted Salary |
|---|---|---|---|
| St. Cloud | $64,916 | 87.632 | $74,078 |
| Rochester | $66,576 | 90.821 | $73,305 |
| Mankato | $62,445 | 90.955 | $68,655 |
| Duluth | $59,285 | 88.768 | $66,786 |
| Maple Grove | $65,482 | 98.5 | $66,479 |
Adjusted salary = nominal salary × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average. Lower index = lower cost of living.
Salary by Experience Level in Minnesota
| Experience Level | Estimated Annual |
|---|---|
| Entry Level (0-2 years) | $48,289 |
| Mid Career (3-7 years) | $64,145 |
| Experienced (7+ years) | $96,465 |
Estimates based on BLS percentile data averaged across Minnesota metro areas. Individual pay varies by employer, certifications, and specialization.
All 44 Cities in Minnesota
| # | City | Median Salary |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Rochester | $66,576 |
| 2 | Maple Grove | $65,482 |
| 3 | Woodbury | $65,457 |
| 4 | Eden Prairie | $65,395 |
| 5 | St. Cloud | $64,916 |
| 6 | Minneapolis | $64,606 |
| 7 | Owatonna | $64,134 |
| 8 | Brooklyn Park | $64,050 |
| 9 | St. Paul | $63,957 |
| 10 | Plymouth | $63,936 |
| 11 | Roseville | $63,899 |
| 12 | Chaska | $63,849 |
| 13 | Minnetonka | $63,834 |
| 14 | Cottage Grove | $63,763 |
| 15 | Burnsville | $63,712 |
| 16 | Lakeville | $63,476 |
| 17 | Bloomington | $63,461 |
| 18 | Chanhassen | $63,432 |
| 19 | Inver Grove Heights | $63,332 |
| 20 | Eagan | $63,323 |
| 21 | Brooklyn Center | $63,307 |
| 22 | Elk River | $63,297 |
| 23 | Prior Lake | $63,231 |
| 24 | Ramsey | $63,001 |
| 25 | Blaine | $62,734 |
| 26 | Apple Valley | $62,637 |
| 27 | Shakopee | $62,575 |
| 28 | Coon Rapids | $62,566 |
| 29 | Savage | $62,465 |
| 30 | Edina | $62,458 |
| 31 | Mankato | $62,445 |
| 32 | Maplewood | $62,274 |
| 33 | Andover | $62,259 |
| 34 | Richfield | $62,229 |
| 35 | St. Louis Park | $62,224 |
| 36 | Moorhead | $62,134 |
| 37 | Northfield | $61,684 |
| 38 | Hastings | $61,552 |
| 39 | Fridley | $61,276 |
| 40 | Winona | $61,226 |
| 41 | Shoreview | $61,201 |
| 42 | Austin | $61,105 |
| 43 | Faribault | $61,028 |
| 44 | Duluth | $59,285 |
More Minnesota Salary Data
Hourly Rates
Explore school counselor hourly pay in Minnesota cities.
Senior / Experienced
Top earner salaries for experienced school counselors.
Compare Cities in Minnesota
View all comparisons →Explore More School Counselor Salary Data
Frequently Asked Questions
How much do school counselors make in Minnesota in 2026?
What is the highest paying city for school counselors in Minnesota?
How does Minnesota school counselor pay compare to the national average?
What is the entry-level school counselor salary in Minnesota?
How many school counselors are employed in Minnesota?
Which Minnesota city offers the best value for school counselors?
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
Statewide 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. A 2.05% compound annual growth rate (CAGR), derived from 6-year national BLS wage trends, was applied to each metro area's reported salary to estimate current 2026 school counselor compensation across Minnesota. State averages are employment-weighted across 44 metro areas — larger metro areas with more school counselorscontribute proportionally more to the average, producing figures that better reflect typical compensation. Individual pay varies by city, employer, certifications, and experience.
Data Sources & Methodology
Source: BLS, OEWS, 7-year dataset (–). Per-city data from annual BLS metropolitan area surveys.
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