School Counselor Salary in Tennessee: $60,043 (2026)
Quick Answer:Across Tennessee's 30 metropolitan areas, the average median school counselor pay sits at $60,043/year heading into 2026 — a figure projected from 2025 BLS OEWS wage data for SOC 21-1012. Because Tennessee sits at BEA RPP 91.8 (8% below the U.S. baseline), that statewide median translates to roughly $65,406 in nationally-comparable purchasing power. Highest-paying metros: Memphis ($63,984), Cleveland ($61,564), Clarksville ($59,545).
In Tennessee, the average median salary for school counselors in 2026 is projected to be $60,043, which is 6.7% lower than the national median of $64,335. Salary variation across the state is significant, with Memphis leading at $65,296, while Johnson City presents the lowest salary at $45,254. This $20,042 gap can be attributed to factors such as the cost of living, demand for counseling services, and school district funding levels, which vary greatly by region. Tennessee requires school counselors to hold a master's degree in counseling or a related field, along with a counseling license issued by the state. The scope of practice laws and the educational framework can impact job responsibilities, further influencing compensation. The projected growth rate for school counseling positions statewide is 2.05%, indicating a steady demand for these professionals. With a total employment of 5,912 school counselors across 30 metro areas, opportunities abound, particularly in larger cities like Memphis, Cleveland, Clarksville, Nashville, and Kingsport. Counselors seeking to enter or advance in this field should consider regional demand and licensing requirements to better align their career aspirations with market conditions.
Tennessee School Counselor Salary Range
Overall salary range in Tennessee: $32,393 (lowest entry-level) to $93,221 (highest top earner)
Tennessee vs National Average
Tennessee school counselors earn 6.67% less than the national median ($-4,292/year difference).
Tennessee School Counselor Salary Distribution (2026)
School Counselor salaries in Tennessee range from $43,673 (entry-level, 10th percentile) to $83,495 (top earners, 90th percentile), with a median of $60,043. The Tennessee median is $4,292 below the US national median of $64,335. The average hourly rate is $28.87/hr. Approximately 5,912 school counselors are employed across 30 cities.
2019 BLS Actual
$52,317
2025 BLS Actual
$58,837
2026 Current Est.
$60,043
2019–2027 Growth
+17.1%
Salary Trajectory for School Counselors in Tennessee (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 2.05% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $52,317 | Actual |
| 2020 | $53,412 | Actual |
| 2021 | $55,988 | Actual |
| 2022 | $55,777 | Actual |
| 2023 | $56,118 | Actual |
| 2024 | $59,759 | Actual |
| 2025 | $58,837 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $60,043 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $61,274 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Tennessee metropolitan area, the median school counselor salary grew 12.5% from $52,317 (2019) to $58,837 (2025). At a 2.05% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $61,274 by 2027 — a total increase of $8,957 (17.12%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Tennessee 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.
Top 5 Highest Paying Cities in Tennessee
Lowest Paying Cities in Tennessee
| City | Median Salary |
|---|---|
| Johnson City | $45,254 |
| Morristown | $48,765 |
| Tullahoma | $54,975 |
| Jackson | $55,405 |
| Sevierville | $56,174 |
Best Value Cities for School Counselors in Tennessee
When adjusted for local cost of living, these Tennessee cities offer the most purchasing power for school counselors.
| City | Nominal Salary | CoL Index | Adjusted Salary |
|---|---|---|---|
| Cleveland | $62,826 | 88.08 | $71,328 |
| Memphis | $65,296 | 92.179 | $70,836 |
| Kingsport | $60,355 | 86.447 | $69,817 |
| Clarksville | $60,766 | 90.947 | $66,815 |
| Smyrna | $60,142 | 91.8 | $65,514 |
Adjusted salary = nominal salary × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average. Lower index = lower cost of living.
Salary by Experience Level in Tennessee
| Experience Level | Estimated Annual |
|---|---|
| Entry Level (0-2 years) | $43,673 |
| Mid Career (3-7 years) | $60,043 |
| Experienced (7+ years) | $83,495 |
Estimates based on BLS percentile data averaged across Tennessee metro areas. Individual pay varies by employer, certifications, and specialization.
All 30 Cities in Tennessee
| # | City | Median Salary |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Memphis | $65,296 |
| 2 | Cleveland | $62,826 |
| 3 | Clarksville | $60,766 |
| 4 | Nashville | $60,555 |
| 5 | Kingsport | $60,355 |
| 6 | Smyrna | $60,142 |
| 7 | Bartlett | $59,841 |
| 8 | Franklin | $59,827 |
| 9 | Collierville | $59,633 |
| 10 | Murfreesboro | $59,483 |
| 11 | Spring Hill | $59,176 |
| 12 | Knoxville | $58,645 |
| 13 | Lebanon | $58,383 |
| 14 | Oak Ridge | $58,378 |
| 15 | Columbia | $57,986 |
| 16 | Germantown | $57,911 |
| 17 | Hendersonville | $57,795 |
| 18 | Gallatin | $57,694 |
| 19 | Brentwood | $57,394 |
| 20 | Shelbyville | $56,948 |
| 21 | Mount Juliet | $56,947 |
| 22 | La Vergne | $56,827 |
| 23 | Chattanooga | $56,665 |
| 24 | Cookeville | $56,536 |
| 25 | Maryville | $56,499 |
| 26 | Sevierville | $56,174 |
| 27 | Jackson | $55,405 |
| 28 | Tullahoma | $54,975 |
| 29 | Morristown | $48,765 |
| 30 | Johnson City | $45,254 |
More Tennessee Salary Data
Hourly Rates
Explore school counselor hourly pay in Tennessee cities.
Senior / Experienced
Top earner salaries for experienced school counselors.
Compare Cities in Tennessee
View all comparisons →Explore More School Counselor Salary Data
Frequently Asked Questions
How much do school counselors make in Tennessee in 2026?
What is the highest paying city for school counselors in Tennessee?
How does Tennessee school counselor pay compare to the national average?
What is the entry-level school counselor salary in Tennessee?
How many school counselors are employed in Tennessee?
Which Tennessee city offers the best value for school counselors?
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
Statewide 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. A 2.05% compound annual growth rate (CAGR), derived from 6-year national BLS wage trends, was applied to each metro area's reported salary to estimate current 2026 school counselor compensation across Tennessee. State averages are employment-weighted across 30 metro areas — larger metro areas with more school counselorscontribute proportionally more to the average, producing figures that better reflect typical compensation. Individual pay varies by city, employer, certifications, and experience.
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