School Counselor Salary in Wildwood, MO: $55,085 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time school counselor in Wildwood, MO earns a median $55,085/year (≈ $26.48/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 21-1012). Once you factor in Wildwood's price level (10% below national, BEA RPP 89.6), that paycheck buys what $61,479 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 Wildwood, Missouri, are projected to earn a median annual salary of $55,085, which reflects a 14.38% decrease when compared to the national median of $64,335. The local salary range extends from $39,688 at the 10th percentile to $85,381 at the 90th percentile, giving insight into the variation caused by factors such as experience and additional educational qualifications. Estimates derived from 2025 BLS data suggest that these figures account for regional price adjustments, which is critical in a city with a cost-of-living index of 89.6, indicating a generally lower price environment than the national average. The employment landscape includes about five school counselors, illustrating a niche job market that might be competitive and influenced by district hiring practices.
About the Wildwood Market
Salary estimated from Missouri average ($60,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $39,688 | $19.08 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $44,161 | $21.23 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $55,085 | $26.48 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $69,258 | $33.30 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $85,381 | $41.04 |
Median Salary Position
14.38% below the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Wildwood
In Wildwood, MO, the school counselor salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $45,693 (2026 est.). At $55,085, the local median is 14.38% below the national median of $64,335.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in Wildwood: You'd be in the lower-middle range
How Wildwood School Counselor Pay Compares
Wildwood median: $55,085/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Wildwood Pays |
|---|---|---|
| Missouri Average | $55,529 | -0.80% less |
| National Average | $64,335 | -14.38% less |
School Counselors in Wildwood, MO earn a median of $55,085 per year (2026 est.), which is 14.38% lower than the national median of $64,335 and 0.80% below the Missouri state average of $55,529.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Wildwood 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.
Wildwood, MO has a cost-of-living index of 89.6 (below the national average of 100). A school counselor earning $55,085 nominally has purchasing power equivalent to $61,479 in an average-cost city — an effective 11.61% boost.
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2019 BLS Actual
$47,861
2025 BLS Actual
$53,978
2026 Current Est.
$55,085
2019–2027 Growth
+17.5%
Salary Trajectory for School Counselors in Wildwood (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 2.05% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $47,861 | Actual |
| 2020 | $48,767 | Actual |
| 2021 | $50,773 | Actual |
| 2022 | $50,462 | Actual |
| 2023 | $51,780 | Actual |
| 2024 | $53,333 | Actual |
| 2025 | $53,978 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $55,085 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $56,214 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Wildwood metropolitan area, the median school counselor salary grew 12.8% from $47,861 (2019) to $53,978 (2025). At a 2.05% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $56,214 by 2027 — a total increase of $8,353 (17.45%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Wildwood 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) | $39,688 – $44,161 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $44,161 – $55,085 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $55,085 – $69,258 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $69,258 – $85,381 |
SC, LSC salary ranges estimated from BLS percentile data. Individual school counselor compensation varies by employer, certifications, and specialization.
School Counselor Job Market in Wildwood
School counselor pay in Wildwood, MO, is shaped by the typical K-12 pay structure that mirrors teacher compensation. Many local school districts use a step-and-lane model in which salaries will increase based on years of experience and advanced degrees, such as those holding a master's degree versus a master's plus 30 hours. Additionally, with post-COVID mental health funding, the demand for counselors has surged, yet the job growth is projected at just 2.05% annually. The lower cost of living in Wildwood does lend itself to better purchasing power, especially when considering positions in various educational settings, including K-12 schools and private institutions. Those looking to enhance their salary potential would benefit from seeking advanced qualifications or assuming leadership roles, which often come with stipends, thus providing valuable pathways for maximizing earnings in this local market.
More salary data for Wildwood, 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 $53,978 for school counselorsin the Wildwood 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 Wildwood 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