School Counselor Salary in Sedalia, MO: $53,311 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time school counselor in Sedalia, MO earns a median $53,311/year (≈ $25.63/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 21-1012). Once you factor in Sedalia's price level (10% below national, BEA RPP 89.6), that paycheck buys what $59,499 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 4.0% below the Missouri state average.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
The projected median annual salary for a school counselor in Sedalia, Missouri, is $53,311 for 2026, which is approximately 17.14% lower than the national median of $64,335. The local salary range varies widely, with entry-level positions earning around $39,571 (P10) and highly experienced counselors drawing up to $80,088 (P90). These projections are informed by 2025 BLS data and adjustments for regional cost factors. In Sedalia, master's-level counselors typically find placement on the district's step-and-lane scale, where years of experience and advanced qualifications significantly influence compensation. With six school counselors currently employed in the area, it's clear that the demand for qualified professionals remains strong against the backdrop of rising mental health needs in schools.
About the Sedalia Market
Salary estimated from Missouri average ($60,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $39,571 | $19.02 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $43,324 | $20.83 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $53,311 | $25.63 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $65,867 | $31.67 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $80,088 | $38.50 |
Median Salary Position
17.14% below the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Sedalia
In Sedalia, MO, the school counselor salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $40,517 (2026 est.). At $53,311, the local median is 17.14% below the national median of $64,335.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in Sedalia: You'd be in the lower-middle range
How Sedalia School Counselor Pay Compares
Sedalia median: $53,311/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Sedalia Pays |
|---|---|---|
| Missouri Average | $55,532 | -4.00% less |
| National Average | $64,335 | -17.14% less |
School Counselors in Sedalia, MO earn a median of $53,311 per year (2026 est.), which is 17.14% lower than the national median of $64,335 and 4.00% below the Missouri state average of $55,532.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Sedalia 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.
Sedalia, MO has a cost-of-living index of 89.6 (below the national average of 100). A school counselor earning $53,311 nominally has purchasing power equivalent to $59,499 in an average-cost city — an effective 11.61% boost.
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2019 BLS Actual
$46,320
2025 BLS Actual
$52,240
2026 Current Est.
$53,311
2019–2027 Growth
+17.5%
Salary Trajectory for School Counselors in Sedalia (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 2.05% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $46,320 | Actual |
| 2020 | $47,197 | Actual |
| 2021 | $49,138 | Actual |
| 2022 | $48,837 | Actual |
| 2023 | $50,112 | Actual |
| 2024 | $51,616 | Actual |
| 2025 | $52,240 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $53,311 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $54,404 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Sedalia metropolitan area, the median school counselor salary grew 12.8% from $46,320 (2019) to $52,240 (2025). At a 2.05% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $54,404 by 2027 — a total increase of $8,084 (17.45%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Sedalia 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) | $39,571 – $43,324 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $43,324 – $53,311 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $53,311 – $65,867 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $65,867 – $80,088 |
SC, LSC salary ranges estimated from BLS percentile data. Individual school counselor compensation varies by employer, certifications, and specialization.
School Counselor Job Market in Sedalia
Looking beyond salary figures, several factors affect school counselor pay in Sedalia, MO, including the local cost of living, which stands below the national average at a CoL index of 89.6. This lower cost can enhance purchasing power but also constrains salary growth. K-12 public school districts are the primary employers, with advanced degrees and additional responsibilities, such as summer programs and department leadership roles, that can push salaries higher. The step-and-lane pay scale dictates salary variants based on education and experience; counselors with a master's plus 30 credits or with a doctorate often earn more. Strategies for maximizing pay include pursuing advanced credentials and seeking positions within high-paying districts, especially those with established summer counseling or extended school year contracts that better align with post-COVID counselor hiring trends.
More salary data for Sedalia, 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 $52,240 for school counselorsin the Sedalia 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 Sedalia 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