School Counselor Salary in Kirkwood, MO: $55,068 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time school counselor in Kirkwood, MO earns a median $55,068/year (≈ $26.47/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 21-1012). Once you factor in Kirkwood's price level (10% below national, BEA RPP 89.6), that paycheck buys what $61,460 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 0.8% below the Missouri state average.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
In 2026, school counselors in Kirkwood, MO, can expect a median annual salary of $55,068, which reflects a significant disparity when compared to the national median of $64,335. With a salary range spanning from $39,706 at the 10th percentile to $85,356 at the 90th percentile, the figures highlight a competitive wage landscape within a locality attempting to adhere to the ASCA's recommendation of a 1:250 counselor-to-student ratio. Current employment suggests that five school counselors are active in the area, which indicates a stable but potentially limited job market for professionals in this role. As Kirkwood schools increasingly emphasize mental health support, the demand for counselors may rise, although the current salary structure indicates potential challenges in aligning with national averages.
About the Kirkwood Market
Salary estimated from Missouri average ($60,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $39,706 | $19.09 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $44,125 | $21.22 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $55,068 | $26.47 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $70,370 | $33.83 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $85,356 | $41.03 |
Median Salary Position
14.4% below the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Kirkwood
In Kirkwood, MO, the school counselor salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $45,650 (2026 est.). At $55,068, the local median is 14.4% below the national median of $64,335.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in Kirkwood: You'd be in the lower-middle range
How Kirkwood School Counselor Pay Compares
Kirkwood median: $55,068/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Kirkwood Pays |
|---|---|---|
| Missouri Average | $55,512 | -0.80% less |
| National Average | $64,335 | -14.40% less |
School Counselors in Kirkwood, MO earn a median of $55,068 per year (2026 est.), which is 14.40% lower than the national median of $64,335 and 0.80% below the Missouri state average of $55,512.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Kirkwood has a cost of living 10.40% below the national average, meaning your salary goes further here.
Adjusted salary = nominal × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average.
Kirkwood, MO has a cost-of-living index of 89.6 (below the national average of 100). A school counselor earning $55,068 nominally has purchasing power equivalent to $61,460 in an average-cost city — an effective 11.61% boost.
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2019 BLS Actual
$47,847
2025 BLS Actual
$53,962
2026 Current Est.
$55,068
2019–2027 Growth
+17.5%
Salary Trajectory for School Counselors in Kirkwood (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 2.05% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $47,847 | Actual |
| 2020 | $48,753 | Actual |
| 2021 | $50,758 | Actual |
| 2022 | $50,447 | Actual |
| 2023 | $51,764 | Actual |
| 2024 | $53,317 | Actual |
| 2025 | $53,962 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $55,068 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $56,197 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Kirkwood metropolitan area, the median school counselor salary grew 12.8% from $47,847 (2019) to $53,962 (2025). At a 2.05% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $56,197 by 2027 — a total increase of $8,350 (17.45%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Kirkwood 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) | $39,706 – $44,125 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $44,125 – $55,068 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $55,068 – $70,370 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $70,370 – $85,356 |
SC, LSC salary ranges estimated from BLS percentile data. Individual school counselor compensation varies by employer, certifications, and specialization.
School Counselor Job Market in Kirkwood
The local job market features five school counselors, which may suggest both a tight-knit professional community and limited available opportunities. Kirkwood's cost-of-living index stands at 89.6, indicating that salaries may stretch further here than in many other areas, despite the lower compensation scale. K-12 public schools usually dominate the hiring landscape, presenting the most stable job options for school counselors, though opportunities in private and parochial schools can occasionally offer higher pay. The substantial disparity between low and high salaries in Kirkwood is often driven by factors such as the step-and-lane pay scale, which allocates increases based on experience and educational attainment. Prospective counselors should consider opportunities for advanced degrees and additional responsibilities, such as heading departments or leading extracurricular programs, as these can significantly enhance their overall compensation. Engaging in persistent professional development will also serve to optimize earnings in this evolving field.
More salary data for Kirkwood, 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 $53,962 for school counselorsin the Kirkwood 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 Kirkwood 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