School Counselor Salary in Jackson, MS: $58,626 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time school counselor in Jackson, MS earns a median $58,626/year (≈ $28.19/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 21-1012). Once you factor in Jackson's price level (11% below national, BEA RPP 89.0), that paycheck buys what $65,836 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 8.5% above the Mississippi state average.
Official BLS data · View source
In Jackson, Mississippi, the school counselor salary trends reveal a competitive landscape, with a median annual pay projected at $58,626 for 2026. This figure highlights a notable difference from the national median of $64,335, suggesting that local compensation falls about 8.87% below the national average. The salary ranges from approximately $39,054 at the 10th percentile to $76,336 at the 90th percentile, indicating opportunities for earning that cater to varying experience and qualifications. These projections are based on 2025 BLS OEWS data and signal a broader context of increased hiring driven by recent school mental health funding expansions post-COVID, despite a counselor-to-student ratio in the area that exceeds the recommended 1:250 guideline set by ASCA.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $39,054 | $18.77 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $46,034 | $22.13 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $58,626 | $28.19 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $66,026 | $31.75 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $76,336 | $36.71 |
Median Salary Position
8.87% below the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Jackson
In Jackson, MS, the school counselor salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $37,282 (2026 est.). At $58,626, the local median is 8.87% below the national median of $64,335.
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How Jackson School Counselor Pay Compares
Jackson median: $58,626/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Jackson Pays |
|---|---|---|
| Mississippi Average | $54,033 | +8.50% more |
| National Average | $64,335 | -8.87% less |
School Counselors in Jackson, MS earn a median of $58,626 per year (2026 est.), which is 8.87% lower than the national median of $64,335 and 8.50% above the Mississippi state average of $54,033.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Jackson has a cost of living 10.95% below the national average, meaning your salary goes further here.
Adjusted salary = nominal × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average.
Jackson, MS has a cost-of-living index of 89.048 (below the national average of 100). A school counselor earning $58,626 nominally has purchasing power equivalent to $65,836 in an average-cost city — an effective 12.3% boost.
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2019 BLS Actual
$48,700
2025 BLS Actual
$57,448
2026 Current Est.
$58,626
2019–2027 Growth
+22.9%
Salary Trajectory for School Counselors in Jackson (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 2.05% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $48,700 | Actual |
| 2020 | $50,740 | Actual |
| 2021 | $48,970 | Actual |
| 2022 | $48,020 | Actual |
| 2023 | $50,290 | Actual |
| 2024 | $55,660 | Actual |
| 2025 | $57,448 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $58,626 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $59,828 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Jackson metropolitan area, the median school counselor salary grew 18.0% from $48,700 (2019) to $57,448 (2025). At a 2.05% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $59,828 by 2027 — a total increase of $11,128 (22.85%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Jackson 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) | $39,054 – $46,034 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $46,034 – $58,626 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $58,626 – $66,026 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $66,026 – $76,336 |
SC, LSC salary ranges estimated from BLS percentile data. Individual school counselor compensation varies by employer, certifications, and specialization.
School Counselor Job Market in Jackson
The job market for school counselors in Jackson appears strong, with an estimated 580 professionals employed in this capacity. However, the cost of living in the region, reflected in a cost of living index of 89.048, positions take-home pay more favorably for residents, providing some financial relief. Among the area's educational institutions, K-12 public school districts typically offer the highest compensation, with salary variation primarily driven by a step-and-lane scale that considers years of experience and education levels. Counselors can increase their pay by securing advanced degrees, pursuing additional certifications, or taking on roles with summer programs and stipends. Understanding the nuances of local school counselor pay in Jackson MS can help individuals better strategize their career advancement and salary negotiations in this evolving educational landscape.
More salary data for Jackson, MS:
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 $57,448 for school counselorsin the Jackson 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
Source: BLS, OEWS, 7-year dataset (–). Per-city data from annual BLS metropolitan area surveys.
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