School Counselor Salary in St. Louis Park, MN: $62,224 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time school counselor in St. Louis Park, MN earns a median $62,224/year (≈ $29.91/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 21-1012). Once you factor in St. Louis Park's price level (1% below national, BEA RPP 98.5), that paycheck buys what $63,172 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 3.7% below the Minnesota state average.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
In 2026, school counselors in St. Louis Park are expected to earn a median annual salary of $62,224, reflecting the impactful expansion of mental health funding that has emerged in the wake of the COVID-19 pandemic. This salary situates counselors within a range from $45,095 at the 10th percentile to $96,447 at the 90th percentile, shaped by local estimates derived from BLS state-level data and adjustments for regional price parity. Compared to the national median of $64,335, school counselor pay in St. Louis Park reflects a slight disadvantage, with salaries falling approximately 3.28% below the national average, highlighting the local context of educational funding and employment opportunities within the city.
About the St. Louis Park Market
Salary estimated from Minnesota average ($70,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $45,095 | $21.68 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $50,029 | $24.05 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $62,224 | $29.91 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $79,647 | $38.29 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $96,447 | $46.37 |
Median Salary Position
3.28% below the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in St. Louis Park
In St. Louis Park, MN, the school counselor salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $51,352 (2026 est.). At $62,224, the local median is 3.28% below the national median of $64,335.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in St. Louis Park: You'd be in the lower-middle range
How St. Louis Park School Counselor Pay Compares
St. Louis Park median: $62,224/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | St. Louis Park Pays |
|---|---|---|
| Minnesota Average | $64,615 | -3.70% less |
| National Average | $64,335 | -3.28% less |
School Counselors in St. Louis Park, MN earn a median of $62,224 per year (2026 est.), which is 3.28% lower than the national median of $64,335 and 3.70% below the Minnesota state average of $64,615.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
St. Louis Park 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.
St. Louis Park, MN has a cost-of-living index of 98.5 (below the national average of 100). A school counselor earning $62,224 nominally has purchasing power equivalent to $63,172 in an average-cost city — an effective 1.52% boost.
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2019 BLS Actual
$54,064
2025 BLS Actual
$60,974
2026 Current Est.
$62,224
2019–2027 Growth
+17.5%
Salary Trajectory for School Counselors in St. Louis Park (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 2.05% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $54,064 | Actual |
| 2020 | $55,088 | Actual |
| 2021 | $57,353 | Actual |
| 2022 | $57,003 | Actual |
| 2023 | $58,491 | Actual |
| 2024 | $66,408 | Actual |
| 2025 | $60,974 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $62,224 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $63,500 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the St. Louis Park metropolitan area, the median school counselor salary grew 12.8% from $54,064 (2019) to $60,974 (2025). At a 2.05% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $63,500 by 2027 — a total increase of $9,436 (17.45%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the St. Louis Park 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) | $45,095 – $50,029 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $50,029 – $62,224 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $62,224 – $79,647 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $79,647 – $96,447 |
SC, LSC salary ranges estimated from BLS percentile data. Individual school counselor compensation varies by employer, certifications, and specialization.
School Counselor Job Market in St. Louis Park
The job market for school counselors in St. Louis Park currently employs around nine professionals, illustrating a relatively small but dedicated workforce in the area. With a cost-of-living index of 98.5, those working in this field can find their purchasing power somewhat enhanced relative to more expensive regions. In terms of salary competition, K-12 public school districts typically offer the most generous compensation packages, influenced by the step-and-lane pay structure that considers years of experience and education level. The variation in school counselor salaries here can also stem from extended contracts for summer programs or stipend roles like department heads, which further contribute to overall earnings. To optimize income, counselors are well-advised to pursue additional qualifications, such as a master's+30 or doctorate, and remain open to broader roles within the educational system that may offer higher pay scales.
More salary data for St. Louis Park, 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 $60,974 for school counselorsin the St. Louis Park 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 St. Louis Park 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