School Counselor Salary in Sioux Falls, SD: $51,065 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time school counselor in Sioux Falls, SD earns a median $51,065/year (≈ $24.55/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 21-1012). Once you factor in Sioux Falls's price level (9% below national, BEA RPP 90.6), that paycheck buys what $56,344 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 12.7% below the South Dakota state average.
Official BLS data · View source
In Sioux Falls, South Dakota, the projected median annual salary for school counselors in 2026 is estimated to be $51,065, placing these professionals behind the national median of $64,335. The salary range for school counselors in the area varies widely, from $41,533 at the 10th percentile to $61,866 at the 90th percentile, reflecting differences in experience, education level, and specific employment settings. These figures are derived from official Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) OEWS surveys and serve as a benchmark for understanding the local job market for counselors. Considering that the region employs around 260 school counselors, there's a significant demand for these roles, especially in the post-COVID landscape where mental health awareness has increased, driving hiring in many districts.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $41,533 | $19.97 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $48,284 | $23.22 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $51,065 | $24.55 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $59,276 | $28.49 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $61,866 | $29.75 |
Median Salary Position
20.63% below the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Sioux Falls
In Sioux Falls, SD, the school counselor salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $20,333 (2026 est.). At $51,065, the local median is 20.63% below the national median of $64,335.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in Sioux Falls: You'd be in the lower-middle range
How Sioux Falls School Counselor Pay Compares
Sioux Falls median: $51,065/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Sioux Falls Pays |
|---|---|---|
| South Dakota Average | $58,493 | -12.70% less |
| National Average | $64,335 | -20.63% less |
School Counselors in Sioux Falls, SD earn a median of $51,065 per year (2026 est.), which is 20.63% lower than the national median of $64,335 and 12.70% below the South Dakota state average of $58,493.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Sioux Falls has a cost of living 9.37% below the national average, meaning your salary goes further here.
Adjusted salary = nominal × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average.
Sioux Falls, SD has a cost-of-living index of 90.631 (below the national average of 100). A school counselor earning $51,065 nominally has purchasing power equivalent to $56,344 in an average-cost city — an effective 10.34% boost.
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2019 BLS Actual
$47,030
2025 BLS Actual
$50,039
2026 Current Est.
$51,065
2019–2027 Growth
+10.8%
Salary Trajectory for School Counselors in Sioux Falls (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 2.05% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $47,030 | Actual |
| 2020 | $46,070 | Actual |
| 2021 | $49,090 | Actual |
| 2022 | $52,990 | Actual |
| 2023 | $49,900 | Actual |
| 2024 | $51,420 | Actual |
| 2025 | $50,039 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $51,065 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $52,112 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Sioux Falls metropolitan area, the median school counselor salary grew 6.4% from $47,030 (2019) to $50,039 (2025). At a 2.05% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $52,112 by 2027 — a total increase of $5,082 (10.81%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Sioux Falls 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) | $41,533 – $48,284 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $48,284 – $51,065 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $51,065 – $59,276 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $59,276 – $61,866 |
SC, LSC salary ranges estimated from BLS percentile data. Individual school counselor compensation varies by employer, certifications, and specialization.
School Counselor Job Market in Sioux Falls
The cost of living index in Sioux Falls, currently at 90.631, suggests that although school counselor salaries lag behind the national average, the purchasing power for residents is relatively favorable. Different types of employers influence pay levels, with K-12 public school districts often adhering to a step-and-lane salary structure similar to that of teachers. Counselors in this area can maximize their potential earnings by pursuing advanced degrees—transitioning from a master's degree to a master's plus 30 or a doctorate—and targeting more lucrative roles within high-demand sectors. The spread in pay also reflects factors like years of experience, additional responsibilities, and the availability of extended school year contracts or summer program stipends. For those in the field, understanding how these dynamics interact can be crucial for negotiating salary and ensuring financial stability within the Sioux Falls job market.
More salary data for Sioux Falls, SD:
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 $50,039 for school counselorsin the Sioux Falls 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