School Counselor Salary in Kearney, NE: $55,554 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time school counselor in Kearney, NE earns a median $55,554/year (≈ $26.71/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 21-1012). Once you factor in Kearney's price level (8% below national, BEA RPP 91.5), that paycheck buys what $60,715 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 3.7% below the Nebraska state average.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
Kearney, Nebraska offers a median annual school counselor salary of $55,554 according to estimates based on 2025 BLS data projected to 2026. This figure positions Kearney’s counselors below the national median of $64,335, reflecting a -13.65% difference. Local salaries range from $41,683 at the 10th percentile to $86,109 at the 90th percentile, indicating the significant variability in compensation driven by factors such as experience and educational qualifications. The salary scale here typically aligns with the step-and-lane structure used in K-12 public school districts, where more extensive educational attainment and years of service can substantially influence pay. As Kearney continues to integrate mental health funding in response to post-COVID needs, competition for qualified counselors may drive future salary adjustments.
About the Kearney Market
Salary estimated from Nebraska average ($60,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $41,683 | $20.04 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $45,890 | $22.06 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $55,554 | $26.71 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $71,109 | $34.19 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $86,109 | $41.40 |
Median Salary Position
13.65% below the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Kearney
In Kearney, NE, the school counselor salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $44,426 (2026 est.). At $55,554, the local median is 13.65% below the national median of $64,335.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in Kearney: You'd be in the lower-middle range
How Kearney School Counselor Pay Compares
Kearney median: $55,554/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Kearney Pays |
|---|---|---|
| Nebraska Average | $57,688 | -3.70% less |
| National Average | $64,335 | -13.65% less |
School Counselors in Kearney, NE earn a median of $55,554 per year (2026 est.), which is 13.65% lower than the national median of $64,335 and 3.70% below the Nebraska state average of $57,688.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Kearney has a cost of living 8.50% below the national average, meaning your salary goes further here.
Adjusted salary = nominal × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average.
Kearney, NE has a cost-of-living index of 91.5 (below the national average of 100). A school counselor earning $55,554 nominally has purchasing power equivalent to $60,715 in an average-cost city — an effective 9.29% boost.
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2019 BLS Actual
$48,269
2025 BLS Actual
$54,438
2026 Current Est.
$55,554
2019–2027 Growth
+17.5%
Salary Trajectory for School Counselors in Kearney (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 2.05% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $48,269 | Actual |
| 2020 | $49,183 | Actual |
| 2021 | $51,205 | Actual |
| 2022 | $50,892 | Actual |
| 2023 | $52,221 | Actual |
| 2024 | $52,867 | Actual |
| 2025 | $54,438 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $55,554 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $56,693 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Kearney metropolitan area, the median school counselor salary grew 12.8% from $48,269 (2019) to $54,438 (2025). At a 2.05% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $56,693 by 2027 — a total increase of $8,424 (17.45%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Kearney 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) | $41,683 – $45,890 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $45,890 – $55,554 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $55,554 – $71,109 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $71,109 – $86,109 |
SC, LSC salary ranges estimated from BLS percentile data. Individual school counselor compensation varies by employer, certifications, and specialization.
School Counselor Job Market in Kearney
With only nine school counselors currently employed in Kearney, the job market for this profession remains relatively stable. The cost of living index in the area is 91.5, suggesting a favorable economic environment for residents, which enhances the take-home purchasing power of school counselors. Among local employers, K-12 public school districts usually provide the highest compensation, particularly for counselors with a master's degree or additional qualifications such as a master's plus 30 hours or a doctorate. The wage disparity reflects the step-and-lane pay structures coupled with added compensation for senior roles, extended contracts, or stipends for extracurricular responsibilities. To maximize salary potential, aspiring counselors may consider pursuing advanced qualifications while seeking opportunities that offer additional stipends or leading specialized programs within their schools.
More salary data for Kearney, 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 $54,438 for school counselorsin the Kearney 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 Kearney 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