School Counselor Salary in Nebraska: $64,543 (2026)
Quick Answer:Across Nebraska's 13 metropolitan areas, the average median school counselor pay sits at $64,543/year heading into 2026 — a figure projected from 2025 BLS OEWS wage data for SOC 21-1012. Because Nebraska sits at BEA RPP 91.5 (8% below the U.S. baseline), that statewide median translates to roughly $70,539 in nationally-comparable purchasing power. Highest-paying metros: Grand Island ($107,290), Omaha ($64,023), Hastings ($55,153).
In Nebraska, the average median salary for school counselors in 2026 is projected to be $64,544, slightly above the national median of $64,335—a difference of 0.3%. There is a considerable salary gap within the state, with Grand Island offering the highest average salary at $109,489, compared to North Platte's lowest at $53,645. Factors driving this disparity include the local cost of living, demand for school counselors, and variations in school funding levels across districts. To work as a school counselor in Nebraska, individuals must meet specific state licensing requirements, which typically include holding a master's degree in counseling and completing supervised practice hours. The demand for school counselors is growing, with an annual compound growth rate of 2.05% projected, reflecting an ongoing need for mental health support in schools and the increasing emphasis on student well-being. In terms of employment distribution, the top cities for school counselor salaries in 2026 are Grand Island, Omaha at $65,335, Hastings at $56,284, Fremont at $55,980, and Bellevue at $55,863. With a total of 1,622 school counselors employed statewide, the job market remains promising, supported by educational initiatives and a commitment to student success across Nebraska's diverse communities.
Nebraska School Counselor Salary Range
Overall salary range in Nebraska: $38,324 (lowest entry-level) to $133,402 (highest top earner)
Nebraska vs National Average
Nebraska school counselors earn 0.32% more than the national median (+$208/year difference).
Nebraska School Counselor Salary Distribution (2026)
School Counselor salaries in Nebraska range from $44,741 (entry-level, 10th percentile) to $100,043 (top earners, 90th percentile), with a median of $64,543. The Nebraska median is $208 above the US national median of $64,335. The average hourly rate is $31.03/hr. Approximately 1,622 school counselors are employed across 13 cities.
2019 BLS Actual
$59,276
2025 BLS Actual
$63,247
2026 Current Est.
$64,543
2019–2027 Growth
+11.1%
Salary Trajectory for School Counselors in Nebraska (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 2.05% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $59,276 | Actual |
| 2020 | $60,195 | Actual |
| 2021 | $60,362 | Actual |
| 2022 | $66,588 | Actual |
| 2023 | $68,183 | Actual |
| 2024 | $72,938 | Actual |
| 2025 | $63,247 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $64,543 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $65,867 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Nebraska metropolitan area, the median school counselor salary grew 6.7% from $59,276 (2019) to $63,247 (2025). At a 2.05% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $65,867 by 2027 — a total increase of $6,591 (11.12%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Nebraska 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.
Top 5 Highest Paying Cities in Nebraska
Lowest Paying Cities in Nebraska
| City | Median Salary |
|---|---|
| North Platte | $53,645 |
| Papillion | $53,662 |
| La Vista | $53,719 |
| Norfolk | $53,727 |
| Columbus | $53,870 |
Best Value Cities for School Counselors in Nebraska
When adjusted for local cost of living, these Nebraska cities offer the most purchasing power for school counselors.
| City | Nominal Salary | CoL Index | Adjusted Salary |
|---|---|---|---|
| Grand Island | $109,489 | 86.657 | $126,348 |
| Omaha | $65,335 | 91.911 | $71,085 |
| Hastings | $56,284 | 91.5 | $61,513 |
| Fremont | $55,980 | 91.5 | $61,180 |
| Bellevue | $55,863 | 91.5 | $61,052 |
Adjusted salary = nominal salary × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average. Lower index = lower cost of living.
Salary by Experience Level in Nebraska
| Experience Level | Estimated Annual |
|---|---|
| Entry Level (0-2 years) | $44,741 |
| Mid Career (3-7 years) | $64,543 |
| Experienced (7+ years) | $100,043 |
Estimates based on BLS percentile data averaged across Nebraska metro areas. Individual pay varies by employer, certifications, and specialization.
All 13 Cities in Nebraska
| # | City | Median Salary |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Grand Island | $109,489 |
| 2 | Omaha | $65,335 |
| 3 | Hastings | $56,284 |
| 4 | Fremont | $55,980 |
| 5 | Bellevue | $55,863 |
| 6 | Kearney | $55,554 |
| 7 | Lincoln | $55,515 |
| 8 | Scottsbluff | $55,363 |
| 9 | Columbus | $53,870 |
| 10 | Norfolk | $53,727 |
| 11 | La Vista | $53,719 |
| 12 | Papillion | $53,662 |
| 13 | North Platte | $53,645 |
More Nebraska Salary Data
Senior / Experienced
Top earner salaries for experienced school counselors.
Explore More School Counselor Salary Data
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
Statewide 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. A 2.05% compound annual growth rate (CAGR), derived from 6-year national BLS wage trends, was applied to each metro area's reported salary to estimate current 2026 school counselor compensation across Nebraska. State averages are employment-weighted across 13 metro areas — larger metro areas with more school counselorscontribute proportionally more to the average, producing figures that better reflect typical compensation. Individual pay varies by city, employer, certifications, and experience.
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