School Counselor Salary in Chaska, MN: $63,849 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time school counselor in Chaska, MN earns a median $63,849/year (≈ $30.70/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 21-1012). Once you factor in Chaska's price level (1% below national, BEA RPP 98.5), that paycheck buys what $64,821 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 1.2% below the Minnesota state average.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
In 2026, school counselor pay in Chaska, MN, is projected to reach a median annual salary of $63,849, placing it slightly below the national median of $64,335. The salary range for counselors in this area spans from $45,657 at the 10th percentile to $98,663 at the 90th percentile, which reflects the district's step-and-lane salary scale. Counselors can expect different compensation levels based on their educational qualifications, with placements for those with a master's degree versus those with a master's degree plus 30 credit hours. Given the current employment of five school counselors in Chaska, the local job market remains competitive, providing opportunities for those entering the profession.
About the Chaska Market
Salary estimated from Minnesota average ($70,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $45,657 | $21.95 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $50,881 | $24.46 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $63,849 | $30.70 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $79,942 | $38.43 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $98,663 | $47.43 |
Median Salary Position
0.76% below the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Chaska
In Chaska, MN, the school counselor salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $53,006 (2026 est.). At $63,849, the local median is 0.76% below the national median of $64,335.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in Chaska: You'd be in the lower-middle range
How Chaska School Counselor Pay Compares
Chaska median: $63,849/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Chaska Pays |
|---|---|---|
| Minnesota Average | $64,624 | -1.20% less |
| National Average | $64,335 | -0.76% less |
School Counselors in Chaska, MN earn a median of $63,849 per year (2026 est.), which is 0.76% lower than the national median of $64,335 and 1.20% below the Minnesota state average of $64,624.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Chaska 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.
Chaska, MN has a cost-of-living index of 98.5 (below the national average of 100). A school counselor earning $63,849 nominally has purchasing power equivalent to $64,821 in an average-cost city — an effective 1.52% boost.
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2019 BLS Actual
$55,476
2025 BLS Actual
$62,566
2026 Current Est.
$63,849
2019–2027 Growth
+17.5%
Salary Trajectory for School Counselors in Chaska (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 2.05% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $55,476 | Actual |
| 2020 | $56,526 | Actual |
| 2021 | $58,851 | Actual |
| 2022 | $58,491 | Actual |
| 2023 | $60,018 | Actual |
| 2024 | $68,142 | Actual |
| 2025 | $62,566 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $63,849 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $65,157 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Chaska metropolitan area, the median school counselor salary grew 12.8% from $55,476 (2019) to $62,566 (2025). At a 2.05% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $65,157 by 2027 — a total increase of $9,681 (17.45%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Chaska 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) | $45,657 – $50,881 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $50,881 – $63,849 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $63,849 – $79,942 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $79,942 – $98,663 |
SC, LSC salary ranges estimated from BLS percentile data. Individual school counselor compensation varies by employer, certifications, and specialization.
School Counselor Job Market in Chaska
The cost of living in Chaska, with an index of 98.5, suggests that while salaries may be lower than the national average, purchasing power can be favorable. Employers in the area include K-12 public school districts, charter schools, and private institutions, each offering various pay scales influenced by tenure, education, and additional responsibilities. This variance in school counselor salaries is driven by the step-and-lane pay structure, which considers years of experience and advanced degrees. To maximize pay, counselors should seek additional qualifications, pursue stipend roles, and explore opportunities for extended contracts during the school year or in summer programs. With the demand for counselors heightened by post-COVID funding, entering the field now presents distinct advantages for professionals dedicated to supporting student mental health.
More salary data for Chaska, 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 $62,566 for school counselorsin the Chaska 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 Chaska 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