School Counselor Salary in University City, MO: $54,741 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time school counselor in University City, MO earns a median $54,741/year (≈ $26.32/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 21-1012). Once you factor in University City's price level (10% below national, BEA RPP 89.6), that paycheck buys what $61,095 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 1.4% below the Missouri state average.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
School counselors in University City, Missouri, have a projected median annual salary of $54,741 for 2026, which is notably below the national median of $64,335. The salary for these professionals shows a wide range from $38,863 at the 10th percentile to $84,156 at the 90th percentile, reflecting variations based on factors such as experience and education level. The figures presented are estimates derived from 2025 BLS state-level data and regional price adjustments. In this context, understanding the implications of the step-and-lane pay scale used by many K-12 public school districts is vital. Counselors typically begin their careers on a lower tier, with salary increases associated with additional qualifications, such as earning a master's plus 30 credits or a doctoral degree.
About the University City Market
Salary estimated from Missouri average ($60,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $38,863 | $18.69 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $43,457 | $20.89 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $54,741 | $26.32 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $69,579 | $33.45 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $84,156 | $40.46 |
Median Salary Position
14.91% below the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in University City
In University City, MO, the school counselor salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $45,293 (2026 est.). At $54,741, the local median is 14.91% below the national median of $64,335.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in University City: You'd be in the lower-middle range
How University City School Counselor Pay Compares
University City median: $54,741/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | University City Pays |
|---|---|---|
| Missouri Average | $55,518 | -1.40% less |
| National Average | $64,335 | -14.91% less |
School Counselors in University City, MO earn a median of $54,741 per year (2026 est.), which is 14.91% lower than the national median of $64,335 and 1.40% below the Missouri state average of $55,518.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
University City 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.
University City, MO has a cost-of-living index of 89.6 (below the national average of 100). A school counselor earning $54,741 nominally has purchasing power equivalent to $61,095 in an average-cost city — an effective 11.61% boost.
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2019 BLS Actual
$47,562
2025 BLS Actual
$53,641
2026 Current Est.
$54,741
2019–2027 Growth
+17.5%
Salary Trajectory for School Counselors in University City (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 2.05% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $47,562 | Actual |
| 2020 | $48,463 | Actual |
| 2021 | $50,456 | Actual |
| 2022 | $50,147 | Actual |
| 2023 | $51,456 | Actual |
| 2024 | $53,000 | Actual |
| 2025 | $53,641 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $54,741 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $55,863 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the University City metropolitan area, the median school counselor salary grew 12.8% from $47,562 (2019) to $53,641 (2025). At a 2.05% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $55,863 by 2027 — a total increase of $8,301 (17.45%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the University 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) | $38,863 – $43,457 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $43,457 – $54,741 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $54,741 – $69,579 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $69,579 – $84,156 |
SC, LSC salary ranges estimated from BLS percentile data. Individual school counselor compensation varies by employer, certifications, and specialization.
School Counselor Job Market in University City
The job market in University City is relatively stable, with six school counselors currently working in the area. Given the cost of living index of 89.6, which is below the national average, the purchasing power of school counselor salaries can be stretched further. K-12 public school districts tend to offer the most competitive salaries, while the potential for higher earnings exists in charter schools and specific roles within private and parochial institutions. Factors driving salary disparities include the step-and-lane scale, which ties compensation to experience and educational attainment, as well as the demand for counselors in light of recent mental health funding expansions. These have increased employment opportunities and may necessitate counselors to take on extra responsibilities, like advising after-school clubs or assuming administrative roles, to enhance their compensation packages. Counselors aiming to maximize earnings in University City should consider continuous education and actively seek opportunities that offer stipends or extended school year contracts.
More salary data for University 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 $53,641 for school counselorsin the University 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
Salary data for University City 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