School Counselor Salary in Winona, MN: $61,226 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time school counselor in Winona, MN earns a median $61,226/year (≈ $29.43/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 21-1012). Once you factor in Winona's price level (1% below national, BEA RPP 98.5), that paycheck buys what $62,158 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 5.2% below the Minnesota state average.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
In Winona, Minnesota, school counselor salaries project to a median of $61,226 in 2026, slightly below the national median of $64,335. The local salary range runs from $44,606 at the lower end to $94,900 at the higher extreme, reflecting variances in experience, education, and the specific school district’s compensation structure. This salary estimation is derived from 2025 BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics data, with regional adjustments considered. With a current ratio of 1 school counselor for every 250 students recommended by the American School Counselor Association (ASCA), the local employment scenario featuring just four counselors raises questions about the adequacy of support for students in Winona, especially as schools are working to meet rising mental health needs after the COVID pandemic.
About the Winona Market
Salary estimated from Minnesota average ($70,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $44,606 | $21.44 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $49,399 | $23.75 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $61,226 | $29.43 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $77,249 | $37.14 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $94,900 | $45.63 |
Median Salary Position
4.83% below the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Winona
In Winona, MN, the school counselor salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $50,294 (2026 est.). At $61,226, the local median is 4.83% below the national median of $64,335.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in Winona: You'd be in the lower-middle range
How Winona School Counselor Pay Compares
Winona median: $61,226/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Winona Pays |
|---|---|---|
| Minnesota Average | $64,584 | -5.20% less |
| National Average | $64,335 | -4.83% less |
School Counselors in Winona, MN earn a median of $61,226 per year (2026 est.), which is 4.83% lower than the national median of $64,335 and 5.20% below the Minnesota state average of $64,584.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Winona 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.
Winona, MN has a cost-of-living index of 98.5 (below the national average of 100). A school counselor earning $61,226 nominally has purchasing power equivalent to $62,158 in an average-cost city — an effective 1.52% boost.
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2019 BLS Actual
$53,197
2025 BLS Actual
$59,996
2026 Current Est.
$61,226
2019–2027 Growth
+17.5%
Salary Trajectory for School Counselors in Winona (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 2.05% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $53,197 | Actual |
| 2020 | $54,204 | Actual |
| 2021 | $56,433 | Actual |
| 2022 | $56,088 | Actual |
| 2023 | $57,553 | Actual |
| 2024 | $65,343 | Actual |
| 2025 | $59,996 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $61,226 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $62,481 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Winona metropolitan area, the median school counselor salary grew 12.8% from $53,197 (2019) to $59,996 (2025). At a 2.05% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $62,481 by 2027 — a total increase of $9,284 (17.45%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Winona 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) | $44,606 – $49,399 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $49,399 – $61,226 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $61,226 – $77,249 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $77,249 – $94,900 |
SC, LSC salary ranges estimated from BLS percentile data. Individual school counselor compensation varies by employer, certifications, and specialization.
School Counselor Job Market in Winona
Understanding the local job market reveals various factors affecting the school counselor pay in Winona, MN. The employed counselors face a relatively modest cost of living index at 98.5, indicating that their purchasing power may stretch slightly further than the national average. K-12 public school districts predominantly drive the job opportunities, with charter schools and private institutions also contributing, though the compensation can vary significantly. Factors influencing the disparity in pay include the step-and-lane structure for salaries based on years of service and educational attainment, as well as additional stipends for roles such as department heads or summer programs. There is considerable potential for counselors looking to enhance their earning potential in Winona, particularly by pursuing advanced degrees or certifications to move up within the pay scale, considering the rising demand for mental health support in educational settings.
More salary data for Winona, 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 $59,996 for school counselorsin the Winona 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 Winona 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