School Counselor Salary in Austin, MN: $61,105 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time school counselor in Austin, MN earns a median $61,105/year (≈ $29.38/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 21-1012). Once you factor in Austin's price level (1% below national, BEA RPP 98.5), that paycheck buys what $62,036 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 5.4% below the Minnesota state average.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
In 2026, school counselors in Austin, Minnesota, earn a median annual salary of $61,105. This figure sits below the national median of $64,335, offering a salary range that spans from $42,228 at the lowest end (P10) to $94,714 for the highest earners (P90). With compensation computed based on state-level data and regional price adjustments, Austin's pay reflects a competitive yet slightly constrained market for school counseling professionals. For those in the field holding a master's degree versus those with additional qualifications like a master's+30, there is a structured step-and-lane scale that influences salary placement significantly, which can impact long-term earnings potential in a community that values educational attainment.
About the Austin Market
Salary estimated from Minnesota average ($70,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $42,228 | $20.30 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $47,801 | $22.98 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $61,105 | $29.38 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $76,958 | $37.00 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $94,714 | $45.53 |
Median Salary Position
5.02% below the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Austin
In Austin, MN, the school counselor salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $52,486 (2026 est.). At $61,105, the local median is 5.02% below the national median of $64,335.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in Austin: You'd be in the lower-middle range
How Austin School Counselor Pay Compares
Austin median: $61,105/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Austin Pays |
|---|---|---|
| Minnesota Average | $64,594 | -5.40% less |
| National Average | $64,335 | -5.02% less |
School Counselors in Austin, MN earn a median of $61,105 per year (2026 est.), which is 5.02% lower than the national median of $64,335 and 5.40% below the Minnesota state average of $64,594.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Austin has a cost of living 1.50% below the national average, meaning your salary goes further here.
Adjusted salary = nominal × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average.
Austin, MN has a cost-of-living index of 98.5 (below the national average of 100). A school counselor earning $61,105 nominally has purchasing power equivalent to $62,036 in an average-cost city — an effective 1.52% boost.
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2019 BLS Actual
$53,093
2025 BLS Actual
$59,878
2026 Current Est.
$61,105
2019–2027 Growth
+17.5%
Salary Trajectory for School Counselors in Austin (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 2.05% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $53,093 | Actual |
| 2020 | $54,098 | Actual |
| 2021 | $56,322 | Actual |
| 2022 | $55,978 | Actual |
| 2023 | $57,439 | Actual |
| 2024 | $65,215 | Actual |
| 2025 | $59,878 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $61,105 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $62,358 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Austin metropolitan area, the median school counselor salary grew 12.8% from $53,093 (2019) to $59,878 (2025). At a 2.05% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $62,358 by 2027 — a total increase of $9,265 (17.45%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Austin 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) | $42,228 – $47,801 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $47,801 – $61,105 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $61,105 – $76,958 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $76,958 – $94,714 |
SC, LSC salary ranges estimated from BLS percentile data. Individual school counselor compensation varies by employer, certifications, and specialization.
School Counselor Job Market in Austin
With only four school counselors currently employed in the area, the job market in Austin is relatively small, yet the cost-of-living index of 98.5 suggests that the purchasing power for residents remains reasonable. This reality becomes significant when evaluating local employer options, as K-12 public school districts typically offer the most competitive wages compared to charter schools and private institutions. The discrepancy in salary—ranging from lower-end roles to those paying at the peak—is largely driven by factors such as experience, additional education, extended contracts, and stipends for extra duties. For those looking to maximize their school counselor pay in Austin, pursuing further education beyond a master's degree, taking on supplemental responsibilities, and seeking positions in districts known for robust mental health support initiatives could enhance salary prospects significantly.
More salary data for Austin, MN:
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 $59,878 for school counselorsin the Austin 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 Austin 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