School Counselor Salary in Plymouth, MN: $63,936 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time school counselor in Plymouth, MN earns a median $63,936/year (≈ $30.74/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 21-1012). Once you factor in Plymouth's price level (1% below national, BEA RPP 98.5), that paycheck buys what $64,910 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 1.0% below the Minnesota state average.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
For school counselors in Plymouth, Minnesota, the projected median annual salary stands at $63,936 in 2026, which is slightly below the national median of $64,335. This compensation is part of a broader salary range that varies significantly, from $42,384 on the low end to $99,102 at the high end. These figures draw from 2025 BLS data, adjusted for regional cost factors. Compared to the ideal ASCA-recommended counselor-to-student ratio of 1:250, Plymouth's actual ratio reflects a growing demand for this role, driven by increased mental health funding post-COVID. This market context suggests that as Plymouth continues to address the mental health needs of its students, the compensation for school counselors may evolve.
About the Plymouth Market
Salary estimated from Minnesota average ($70,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $42,384 | $20.38 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $52,544 | $25.26 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $63,936 | $30.74 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $81,207 | $39.04 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $99,102 | $47.65 |
Median Salary Position
0.62% below the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Plymouth
In Plymouth, MN, the school counselor salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $56,718 (2026 est.). At $63,936, the local median is 0.62% below the national median of $64,335.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in Plymouth: You'd be in the lower-middle range
How Plymouth School Counselor Pay Compares
Plymouth median: $63,936/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Plymouth Pays |
|---|---|---|
| Minnesota Average | $64,582 | -1.00% less |
| National Average | $64,335 | -0.62% less |
School Counselors in Plymouth, MN earn a median of $63,936 per year (2026 est.), which is 0.62% lower than the national median of $64,335 and 1.00% below the Minnesota state average of $64,582.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Plymouth 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.
Plymouth, MN has a cost-of-living index of 98.5 (below the national average of 100). A school counselor earning $63,936 nominally has purchasing power equivalent to $64,910 in an average-cost city — an effective 1.52% boost.
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2019 BLS Actual
$55,552
2025 BLS Actual
$62,652
2026 Current Est.
$63,936
2019–2027 Growth
+17.5%
Salary Trajectory for School Counselors in Plymouth (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 2.05% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $55,552 | Actual |
| 2020 | $56,604 | Actual |
| 2021 | $58,932 | Actual |
| 2022 | $58,571 | Actual |
| 2023 | $60,100 | Actual |
| 2024 | $68,236 | Actual |
| 2025 | $62,652 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $63,936 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $65,247 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Plymouth metropolitan area, the median school counselor salary grew 12.8% from $55,552 (2019) to $62,652 (2025). At a 2.05% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $65,247 by 2027 — a total increase of $9,695 (17.45%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Plymouth 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) | $42,384 – $52,544 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $52,544 – $63,936 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $63,936 – $81,207 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $81,207 – $99,102 |
SC, LSC salary ranges estimated from BLS percentile data. Individual school counselor compensation varies by employer, certifications, and specialization.
School Counselor Job Market in Plymouth
Exploring the local job market reveals that 14 school counselors are currently employed in Plymouth, indicating a supportive environment for professionals in this field. The area's cost-of-living index, at 98.5, suggests that living expenses are slightly lower than the national average, which can enhance the take-home purchasing power of school counselor pay in Plymouth, MN. The highest salaries are typically found in K-12 public school districts, where the traditional step-and-lane pay scale influences earnings based on years of experience and educational advancement. Various factors contribute to the pay spread, including master's degrees versus advanced certifications, high-cost-of-living premiums, and the availability of stipends for additional roles such as department heads. To maximize pay, aspiring counselors should consider positions that offer summer programs or extended school year contracts, and actively seek opportunities within the public school system, which aligns with the prevailing compensation model in the region.
More salary data for Plymouth, 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 $62,652 for school counselorsin the Plymouth 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 Plymouth 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