School Counselor Salary in Grand Island, NE: $109,489 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time school counselor in Grand Island, NE earns a median $109,489/year (≈ $52.64/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 21-1012). Once you factor in Grand Island's price level (13% below national, BEA RPP 86.7), that paycheck buys what $126,348 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 89.8% above the Nebraska state average.
Official BLS data · View source
In Grand Island, Nebraska, the compensation for school counselors is notably competitive, with a 2026 median salary projected at $109,489. This figure significantly exceeds the national average by 70.19%, demonstrating the local market's strength for this profession. Counselors in the area can expect salaries that range from a low of $47,804 at the 10th percentile to as high as $133,402 at the 90th percentile. These estimates are derived from official Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) OEWS surveys and showcase Grand Island's capacity to attract and retain qualified professionals in education, particularly given the challenges faced in mental health support within schools.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $47,804 | $22.98 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $67,496 | $32.45 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $109,489 | $52.64 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $133,402 | $64.14 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $133,402 | $64.14 |
Median Salary Position
70.19% above the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Grand Island
In Grand Island, NE, the school counselor salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $85,598 (2026 est.). At $109,489, the local median is 70.19% above the national median of $64,335.
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At 40 hours/week in Grand Island: You'd be above the median
How Grand Island School Counselor Pay Compares
Grand Island median: $109,489/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Grand Island Pays |
|---|---|---|
| Nebraska Average | $57,687 | +89.80% more |
| National Average | $64,335 | +70.19% more |
School Counselors in Grand Island, NE earn a median of $109,489 per year (2026 est.), which is 70.19% higher than the national median of $64,335 and 89.80% above the Nebraska state average of $57,687.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Grand Island has a cost of living 13.34% below the national average, meaning your salary goes further here.
Adjusted salary = nominal × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average.
Grand Island, NE has a cost-of-living index of 86.657 (below the national average of 100). A school counselor earning $109,489 nominally has purchasing power equivalent to $126,348 in an average-cost city — an effective 15.4% boost.
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2019 BLS Actual
$69,180
2025 BLS Actual
$107,290
2026 Current Est.
$109,489
2019–2027 Growth
+61.5%
Salary Trajectory for School Counselors in Grand Island (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 2.05% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $69,180 | Actual |
| 2020 | $64,190 | Actual |
| 2021 | $76,090 | Actual |
| 2022 | $83,900 | Actual |
| 2023 | $78,970 | Actual |
| 2024 | $108,030 | Actual |
| 2025 | $107,290 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $109,489 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $111,734 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Grand Island metropolitan area, the median school counselor salary grew 55.1% from $69,180 (2019) to $107,290 (2025). At a 2.05% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $111,734 by 2027 — a total increase of $42,554 (61.51%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Grand Island 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) | $47,804 – $67,496 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $67,496 – $109,489 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $109,489 – $133,402 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $133,402 – $133,402 |
SC, LSC salary ranges estimated from BLS percentile data. Individual school counselor compensation varies by employer, certifications, and specialization.
School Counselor Job Market in Grand Island
With 90 school counselors currently employed in Grand Island, the local job market remains robust. The cost-of-living index for the area stands at 86.657, suggesting that the purchasing power for school counselors can be favorable when compared to salaries. Within the local ecosystem, K-12 public school districts traditionally provide the highest compensation, aligned with the established step-and-lane pay scale that takes into account years of experience and educational attainment. Factors contributing to the salary spectrum include placement in the pay scale based on educational qualifications, with master's plus advanced degrees often commanding higher salaries. Additionally, opportunities for supplemental income through summer programs and stipend roles can enhance total earnings. For those looking to maximize school counselor pay in Grand Island, gaining experience and pursuing further education can be particularly advantageous in this competitive environment.
More salary data for Grand Island, NE:
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 $107,290 for school counselorsin the Grand Island 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