School Counselor Salary in Scottsbluff, NE: $55,363 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time school counselor in Scottsbluff, NE earns a median $55,363/year (≈ $26.61/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 21-1012). Once you factor in Scottsbluff's price level (8% below national, BEA RPP 91.5), that paycheck buys what $60,506 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 4.0% below the Nebraska state average.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
In 2026, the school counselor salary in Scottsbluff, NE is projected at a median of $55,363, which falls below the national average of $64,335. The salary range for school counselors in this area extends from $39,330 at the 10th percentile to $83,121 at the 90th percentile, reflecting the potential for variation based on experience and educational attainment. Local estimates derived from 2025 BLS data, adjusted for regional price parities, indicate that placement on the district's step-and-lane scale, which factors in education level such as master's or master's+30 degrees, affects earning potential significantly. Given the small number of school counselors employed in Scottsbluff, these median figures can offer a clear yet modest snapshot of the job market for aspiring counselors in the community.
About the Scottsbluff Market
Salary estimated from Nebraska average ($60,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $39,330 | $18.91 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $47,136 | $22.67 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $55,363 | $26.61 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $68,371 | $32.87 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $83,121 | $39.96 |
Median Salary Position
13.95% below the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Scottsbluff
In Scottsbluff, NE, the school counselor salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $43,791 (2026 est.). At $55,363, the local median is 13.95% below the national median of $64,335.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in Scottsbluff: You'd be in the lower-middle range
How Scottsbluff School Counselor Pay Compares
Scottsbluff median: $55,363/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Scottsbluff Pays |
|---|---|---|
| Nebraska Average | $57,670 | -4.00% less |
| National Average | $64,335 | -13.95% less |
School Counselors in Scottsbluff, NE earn a median of $55,363 per year (2026 est.), which is 13.95% lower than the national median of $64,335 and 4.00% below the Nebraska state average of $57,670.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Scottsbluff 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.
Scottsbluff, NE has a cost-of-living index of 91.5 (below the national average of 100). A school counselor earning $55,363 nominally has purchasing power equivalent to $60,506 in an average-cost city — an effective 9.29% boost.
Compare Purchasing Power
Select a city to see how your salary compares after cost of living
Select a city above to compare purchasing power
2019 BLS Actual
$48,103
2025 BLS Actual
$54,251
2026 Current Est.
$55,363
2019–2027 Growth
+17.5%
Salary Trajectory for School Counselors in Scottsbluff (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 2.05% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $48,103 | Actual |
| 2020 | $49,014 | Actual |
| 2021 | $51,030 | Actual |
| 2022 | $50,717 | Actual |
| 2023 | $52,041 | Actual |
| 2024 | $52,686 | Actual |
| 2025 | $54,251 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $55,363 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $56,498 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Scottsbluff metropolitan area, the median school counselor salary grew 12.8% from $48,103 (2019) to $54,251 (2025). At a 2.05% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $56,498 by 2027 — a total increase of $8,395 (17.45%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Scottsbluff 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) | $39,330 – $47,136 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $47,136 – $55,363 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $55,363 – $68,371 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $68,371 – $83,121 |
SC, LSC salary ranges estimated from BLS percentile data. Individual school counselor compensation varies by employer, certifications, and specialization.
School Counselor Job Market in Scottsbluff
As the demand for mental health services in schools has grown — partly driven by expanded funding post-COVID — the four school counselors currently working in Scottsbluff are essential to meeting student needs. The city's cost of living, with an index of 91.5, suggests that while salaries may be lower compared to national averages, buying power may be more favorable for residents. Among local employers, K-12 public school districts generally provide the most competitive compensation within the realm of school counseling. The disparity in salaries can be attributed to several factors, including experience, educational achievements, and the step-and-lane pay structure commonly used in education. To maximize earning potential in this local market, counselors should consider pursuing further education and certifications, apply for extended contracts, and seek stipend roles, which can significantly enhance overall compensation.
More salary data for Scottsbluff, NE:
Frequently Asked Questions
How much do school counselors make in Scottsbluff, NE in 2026?
Is Scottsbluff, NE a good place to work as a school counselor?
Can school counselors make $100K in Scottsbluff?
What is the cost-of-living adjusted school counselor salary in Scottsbluff?
How much does a school counselor make per hour in Scottsbluff?
Related Pages
Compare Salaries
Career Resources
Nearby Cities in Nebraska
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 $54,251 for school counselorsin the Scottsbluff 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 Scottsbluff 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