School Counselor Salary in Kansas City, MO: $60,826 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time school counselor in Kansas City, MO earns a median $60,826/year (≈ $29.25/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 21-1012). Once you factor in Kansas City's price level (7% below national, BEA RPP 92.5), that paycheck buys what $65,727 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 9.5% above the Missouri state average.
Official BLS data · View source
In the wake of increased mental health funding following the COVID-19 pandemic, school counseling positions in Kansas City, MO, are witnessing a significant boost in hiring. As of 2026, school counselors in this area can expect a median annual salary of $60,826, which falls slightly below the national median of $64,335. The salary range for these professionals varies widely, from approximately $45,944 at the 10th percentile to $79,028 at the 90th percentile. These figures, derived from the official Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS) data, mirror the city's commitment to enhancing support for students amid growing mental health concerns, indicating a strong job market opportunity for prospective counselors.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $45,944 | $22.09 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $50,765 | $24.40 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $60,826 | $29.25 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $72,417 | $34.81 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $79,028 | $37.99 |
Median Salary Position
5.45% below the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Kansas City
In Kansas City, MO, the school counselor salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $33,084 (2026 est.). At $60,826, the local median is 5.45% below the national median of $64,335.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in Kansas City: You'd be in the lower-middle range
How Kansas City School Counselor Pay Compares
Kansas City median: $60,826/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Kansas City Pays |
|---|---|---|
| Missouri Average | $55,549 | +9.50% more |
| National Average | $64,335 | -5.45% less |
School Counselors in Kansas City, MO earn a median of $60,826 per year (2026 est.), which is 5.45% lower than the national median of $64,335 and 9.50% above the Missouri state average of $55,549.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Kansas City has a cost of living 7.46% below the national average, meaning your salary goes further here.
Adjusted salary = nominal × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average.
Kansas City, MO has a cost-of-living index of 92.543 (below the national average of 100). A school counselor earning $60,826 nominally has purchasing power equivalent to $65,727 in an average-cost city — an effective 8.06% boost.
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2019 BLS Actual
$49,220
2025 BLS Actual
$59,604
2026 Current Est.
$60,826
2019–2027 Growth
+26.1%
Salary Trajectory for School Counselors in Kansas City (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 2.05% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $49,220 | Actual |
| 2020 | $50,480 | Actual |
| 2021 | $53,810 | Actual |
| 2022 | $51,130 | Actual |
| 2023 | $54,770 | Actual |
| 2024 | $60,050 | Actual |
| 2025 | $59,604 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $60,826 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $62,073 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Kansas City metropolitan area, the median school counselor salary grew 21.1% from $49,220 (2019) to $59,604 (2025). At a 2.05% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $62,073 by 2027 — a total increase of $12,853 (26.11%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Kansas City 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) | $45,944 – $50,765 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $50,765 – $60,826 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $60,826 – $72,417 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $72,417 – $79,028 |
SC, LSC salary ranges estimated from BLS percentile data. Individual school counselor compensation varies by employer, certifications, and specialization.
School Counselor Job Market in Kansas City
Kansas City's employment outlook for school counselors remains robust, with about 2,240 professionals currently working in the area. The cost of living in this city is relatively low, illustrated by a cost-of-living index of 92.543, which facilitates greater purchasing power for school counselor salaries. Among the various employers, K-12 public school districts generally provide the most competitive pay, particularly for those with advanced degrees or additional certifications, like a master's plus 30 credits or a doctorate. The variation in salary is largely influenced by the district-specific step-and-lane pay scales, which account for years of experience and education level, as well as any stipends for additional responsibilities or extended contracts. Counselors seeking to maximize their pay should consider actively pursuing roles in high-demand districts and applying for leadership positions to take advantage of the financial benefits offered within this evolving market.
More salary data for Kansas City, MO:
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 $59,604 for school counselorsin the Kansas City 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