School Counselor Salary in Springfield, MO: $53,725 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time school counselor in Springfield, MO earns a median $53,725/year (≈ $25.83/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 21-1012). Once you factor in Springfield's price level (11% below national, BEA RPP 88.6), that paycheck buys what $60,648 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 3.2% below the Missouri state average.
Official BLS data · View source
In the wake of increased mental health funding post-COVID, the school counselor salary in Springfield, Missouri has garnered attention, with a projected median annual income of $53,725 for 2026. This figure reveals a notable gap compared to the national median, which stands at $64,335, reflecting a difference of approximately 16.49%. The salary range for school counselors here is quite broad, as professionals can expect to earn between $42,033 at the lower end of the spectrum and $93,648 at the high end. These insights stem from data based on 2025 BLS OEWS information, projected toward 2026, showcasing how regional variations can shape compensation for essential roles like school counseling in Springfield.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $42,033 | $20.22 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $47,054 | $22.62 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $53,725 | $25.83 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $62,906 | $30.25 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $93,648 | $45.02 |
Median Salary Position
16.49% below the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Springfield
In Springfield, MO, the school counselor salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $51,615 (2026 est.). At $53,725, the local median is 16.49% below the national median of $64,335.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in Springfield: You'd be in the entry-level range
How Springfield School Counselor Pay Compares
Springfield median: $53,725/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Springfield Pays |
|---|---|---|
| Missouri Average | $55,501 | -3.20% less |
| National Average | $64,335 | -16.49% less |
School Counselors in Springfield, MO earn a median of $53,725 per year (2026 est.), which is 16.49% lower than the national median of $64,335 and 3.20% below the Missouri state average of $55,501.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Springfield has a cost of living 11.42% below the national average, meaning your salary goes further here.
Adjusted salary = nominal × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average.
Springfield, MO has a cost-of-living index of 88.585 (below the national average of 100). A school counselor earning $53,725 nominally has purchasing power equivalent to $60,648 in an average-cost city — an effective 12.89% boost.
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2019 BLS Actual
$44,390
2025 BLS Actual
$52,646
2026 Current Est.
$53,725
2019–2027 Growth
+23.5%
Salary Trajectory for School Counselors in Springfield (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 2.05% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $44,390 | Actual |
| 2020 | $47,490 | Actual |
| 2021 | $45,610 | Actual |
| 2022 | $47,130 | Actual |
| 2023 | $48,070 | Actual |
| 2024 | $50,020 | Actual |
| 2025 | $52,646 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $53,725 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $54,827 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Springfield metropolitan area, the median school counselor salary grew 18.6% from $44,390 (2019) to $52,646 (2025). At a 2.05% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $54,827 by 2027 — a total increase of $10,437 (23.51%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Springfield 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) | $42,033 – $47,054 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $47,054 – $53,725 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $53,725 – $62,906 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $62,906 – $93,648 |
SC, LSC salary ranges estimated from BLS percentile data. Individual school counselor compensation varies by employer, certifications, and specialization.
School Counselor Job Market in Springfield
With approximately 740 school counselors employed throughout the city, Springfield benefits from a robust local job market, which is influenced by its cost of living index of 88.585—indicating a favorable purchasing power for counselors. Many positions within K-12 public school districts and charter schools offer compensation structures aligned with the step-and-lane pay scale, a model dependent on years of experience and educational qualifications. Stipend roles, such as department heads or club advisors, can further boost earnings, while high-cost-of-living districts may offer additional premiums. Aspiring counselors can maximize their pay by pursuing advanced degrees like master's+30 or doctorates, aligning with Springfield's market dynamics, and actively seeking opportunities in summer programs or extended school year contracts. Overall, the evolving demand for school counselors driven by the mental health initiative opens pathways for career growth and competitive pay in the region.
More salary data for Springfield, 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 $52,646 for school counselorsin the Springfield 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