School Counselor Salary in Brooklyn Center, MN: $63,307 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time school counselor in Brooklyn Center, MN earns a median $63,307/year (≈ $30.43/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 21-1012). Once you factor in Brooklyn Center's price level (1% below national, BEA RPP 98.5), that paycheck buys what $64,271 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 2.0% below the Minnesota state average.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
In 2026, school counselors in Brooklyn Center, MN, are projected to earn a median salary of $63,307, which reflects a slight decrease when compared to the national median of $64,335. The available salary range spans from $44,367 at the tenth percentile to $98,125 at the ninetieth percentile. These figures are informed by estimates derived from 2025 BLS state-level data, adjusted for regional price parities. Within this salary structure, counselors can find their placement influenced by the district's step-and-lane scale, with variations based on education levels such as master's versus master's+30. This district’s competitive compensation is a reflection of the ongoing demand for school counselors, especially in the post-COVID environment where mental health support has become a priority.
About the Brooklyn Center Market
Salary estimated from Minnesota average ($70,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $44,367 | $21.33 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $49,782 | $23.93 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $63,307 | $30.43 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $78,713 | $37.84 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $98,125 | $47.18 |
Median Salary Position
1.6% below the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Brooklyn Center
In Brooklyn Center, MN, the school counselor salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $53,758 (2026 est.). At $63,307, the local median is 1.6% below the national median of $64,335.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in Brooklyn Center: You'd be in the lower-middle range
How Brooklyn Center School Counselor Pay Compares
Brooklyn Center median: $63,307/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Brooklyn Center Pays |
|---|---|---|
| Minnesota Average | $64,599 | -2.00% less |
| National Average | $64,335 | -1.60% less |
School Counselors in Brooklyn Center, MN earn a median of $63,307 per year (2026 est.), which is 1.60% lower than the national median of $64,335 and 2.00% below the Minnesota state average of $64,599.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Brooklyn Center 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.
Brooklyn Center, MN has a cost-of-living index of 98.5 (below the national average of 100). A school counselor earning $63,307 nominally has purchasing power equivalent to $64,271 in an average-cost city — an effective 1.52% boost.
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2019 BLS Actual
$55,005
2025 BLS Actual
$62,035
2026 Current Est.
$63,307
2019–2027 Growth
+17.5%
Salary Trajectory for School Counselors in Brooklyn Center (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 2.05% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $55,005 | Actual |
| 2020 | $56,047 | Actual |
| 2021 | $58,351 | Actual |
| 2022 | $57,994 | Actual |
| 2023 | $59,508 | Actual |
| 2024 | $67,564 | Actual |
| 2025 | $62,035 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $63,307 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $64,605 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Brooklyn Center metropolitan area, the median school counselor salary grew 12.8% from $55,005 (2019) to $62,035 (2025). At a 2.05% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $64,605 by 2027 — a total increase of $9,600 (17.45%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Brooklyn Center 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) | $44,367 – $49,782 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $49,782 – $63,307 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $63,307 – $78,713 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $78,713 – $98,125 |
SC, LSC salary ranges estimated from BLS percentile data. Individual school counselor compensation varies by employer, certifications, and specialization.
School Counselor Job Market in Brooklyn Center
Brooklyn Center's job market for school counselors offers a stable opportunity, with seven counselors currently employed in the area. Given the local cost-of-living index at 98.5, which is below the national average, the take-home pay for counselors holds substantial purchasing power, though it can still be challenging in areas with higher living expenses. The primary employers in this locality include K-12 public school districts, with potential for higher salaries among charter and private institutions. Variability in pay often correlates with the step-and-lane structure based on experience and educational credentials, as well as factors like stipend roles for department heads. Those seeking to maximize their compensation may consider pursuing additional credentials or certifications, thereby enhancing their placement on the pay scale while capitalizing on the growing emphasis on counselor support across schools in Brooklyn Center.
More salary data for Brooklyn Center, 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 $62,035 for school counselorsin the Brooklyn Center 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 Brooklyn Center 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