School Counselor Salary in Lakeville, MN: $63,476 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time school counselor in Lakeville, MN earns a median $63,476/year (≈ $30.51/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 21-1012). Once you factor in Lakeville's price level (1% below national, BEA RPP 98.5), that paycheck buys what $64,443 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 1.7% below the Minnesota state average.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
Counselors in Lakeville, Minnesota can expect a median annual pay of $63,476 in 2026, which falls slightly below the national median of $64,335. The salary range for school counselors in the area is quite broad, spanning from $46,361 at the lower decile (P10) to $98,388 at the upper decile (P90). This variance suggests that while many counselors earn competitive salaries, there are several factors influencing pay, including experience, education level, and specific roles within the educational system. Local estimates, derived from 2025 BLS data and adjusted for regional cost-of-living differences, reflect the broader trends in the education field where hiring ratios remain disproportionate; Lakeville's ratio of school counselors to students deviates from the ASCA-recommended benchmark of 1:250, highlighting both challenges and opportunities in the job market.
About the Lakeville Market
Salary estimated from Minnesota average ($70,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $46,361 | $22.29 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $51,617 | $24.82 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $63,476 | $30.51 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $80,098 | $38.51 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $98,388 | $47.30 |
Median Salary Position
1.34% below the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Lakeville
In Lakeville, MN, the school counselor salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $52,027 (2026 est.). At $63,476, the local median is 1.34% below the national median of $64,335.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in Lakeville: You'd be in the lower-middle range
How Lakeville School Counselor Pay Compares
Lakeville median: $63,476/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Lakeville Pays |
|---|---|---|
| Minnesota Average | $64,574 | -1.70% less |
| National Average | $64,335 | -1.34% less |
School Counselors in Lakeville, MN earn a median of $63,476 per year (2026 est.), which is 1.34% lower than the national median of $64,335 and 1.70% below the Minnesota state average of $64,574.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Lakeville 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.
Lakeville, MN has a cost-of-living index of 98.5 (below the national average of 100). A school counselor earning $63,476 nominally has purchasing power equivalent to $64,443 in an average-cost city — an effective 1.52% boost.
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2019 BLS Actual
$55,152
2025 BLS Actual
$62,201
2026 Current Est.
$63,476
2019–2027 Growth
+17.5%
Salary Trajectory for School Counselors in Lakeville (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 2.05% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $55,152 | Actual |
| 2020 | $56,197 | Actual |
| 2021 | $58,507 | Actual |
| 2022 | $58,150 | Actual |
| 2023 | $59,668 | Actual |
| 2024 | $67,744 | Actual |
| 2025 | $62,201 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $63,476 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $64,777 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Lakeville metropolitan area, the median school counselor salary grew 12.8% from $55,152 (2019) to $62,201 (2025). At a 2.05% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $64,777 by 2027 — a total increase of $9,625 (17.45%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Lakeville 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) | $46,361 – $51,617 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $51,617 – $63,476 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $63,476 – $80,098 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $80,098 – $98,388 |
SC, LSC salary ranges estimated from BLS percentile data. Individual school counselor compensation varies by employer, certifications, and specialization.
School Counselor Job Market in Lakeville
As of now, the Lakeville area employs approximately 15 school counselors, a figure that reflects the localized demand for these professionals amid a growing need for mental health resources post-COVID. With a cost-of-living index of 98.5, compensation in Lakeville allows for a relatively standard purchasing power compared to the national average. Within this market, K-12 public school districts tend to pay the highest salaries, often following a structured step-and-lane pay scale that rewards experience and education. Factors contributing to the disparity in pay include district premiums for high-demand areas, the level of education beyond a master's degree, and various supplemental roles such as department heads or club advisors. To optimize salaries in Lakeville, school counselors should consider pursuing additional certifications or advanced degrees, participating in summer programs, and seeking positions that offer stipends for extended roles, aligning with the evolving educational landscape and increased investment in mental health initiatives.
More salary data for Lakeville, 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 $62,201 for school counselorsin the Lakeville 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 Lakeville 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