School Counselor Salary in La Vista, NE: $53,719 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time school counselor in La Vista, NE earns a median $53,719/year (≈ $25.83/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 21-1012). Once you factor in La Vista's price level (8% below national, BEA RPP 91.5), that paycheck buys what $58,709 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 6.9% below the Nebraska state average.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
With an expanded focus on mental health funding in the post-COVID era, school counselor positions in La Vista, NE have gained renewed significance, underscoring the critical role these professionals play in student well-being. The projected median annual salary for school counselors in 2026 stands at $53,719, which represents a gap of 16.50% when compared to the national average of $64,335. Salaries for school counselors in the area span from $41,396 at the 10th percentile to $82,640 at the 90th percentile, reflecting a diverse range of pay opportunities. These figures are based on estimates derived from BLS state-level data and adjustments for regional cost of living, positioning La Vista as a competitive, albeit economically sensitive, market for school counseling jobs as local districts look to bolster their mental health support services.
About the La Vista Market
Salary estimated from Nebraska average ($60,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $41,396 | $19.90 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $44,933 | $21.60 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $53,719 | $25.83 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $67,571 | $32.48 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $82,640 | $39.73 |
Median Salary Position
16.5% below the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in La Vista
In La Vista, NE, the school counselor salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $41,244 (2026 est.). At $53,719, the local median is 16.5% below the national median of $64,335.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in La Vista: You'd be in the lower-middle range
How La Vista School Counselor Pay Compares
La Vista median: $53,719/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | La Vista Pays |
|---|---|---|
| Nebraska Average | $57,700 | -6.90% less |
| National Average | $64,335 | -16.50% less |
School Counselors in La Vista, NE earn a median of $53,719 per year (2026 est.), which is 16.50% lower than the national median of $64,335 and 6.90% below the Nebraska state average of $57,700.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
La Vista 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.
La Vista, NE has a cost-of-living index of 91.5 (below the national average of 100). A school counselor earning $53,719 nominally has purchasing power equivalent to $58,709 in an average-cost city — an effective 9.29% boost.
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2019 BLS Actual
$46,675
2025 BLS Actual
$52,640
2026 Current Est.
$53,719
2019–2027 Growth
+17.5%
Salary Trajectory for School Counselors in La Vista (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 2.05% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $46,675 | Actual |
| 2020 | $47,558 | Actual |
| 2021 | $49,514 | Actual |
| 2022 | $49,211 | Actual |
| 2023 | $50,496 | Actual |
| 2024 | $51,121 | Actual |
| 2025 | $52,640 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $53,719 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $54,820 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the La Vista metropolitan area, the median school counselor salary grew 12.8% from $46,675 (2019) to $52,640 (2025). At a 2.05% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $54,820 by 2027 — a total increase of $8,145 (17.45%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the La Vista 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) | $41,396 – $44,933 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $44,933 – $53,719 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $53,719 – $67,571 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $67,571 – $82,640 |
SC, LSC salary ranges estimated from BLS percentile data. Individual school counselor compensation varies by employer, certifications, and specialization.
School Counselor Job Market in La Vista
In La Vista, the employment prospects for school counselors seem stable, with six local professionals currently operating within the field. Cost-of-living considerations are significant, as the area has a cost of living index of 91.5, indicating affordability relative to the national average. This lower index means that the spending power of school counselor salaries can stretch further in day-to-day living expenses. K-12 public school districts generally dominate hiring in the area, but higher pay can often be found in specific roles or through positions that involve additional responsibilities such as department head or summer program coordinator. The disparity in compensation largely hinges on the step-and-lane pay scale based on years of experience and educational attainment, with advanced degrees often earning positions within higher pay tiers. Therefore, counselors in La Vista could benefit from pursuing supplemental qualifications and engaging in varied responsibilities to enhance their pay potential in this evolving market.
More salary data for La Vista, 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 $52,640 for school counselorsin the La Vista 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 La Vista 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