School Counselor Salary in Cookeville, TN: $56,536 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time school counselor in Cookeville, TN earns a median $56,536/year (≈ $27.18/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 21-1012). Once you factor in Cookeville's price level (8% below national, BEA RPP 91.8), that paycheck buys what $61,586 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 5.0% below the Tennessee state average.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
In 2026, the school counselor salary in Cookeville is projected to reach $56,536 annually, reflecting the impact of expanded mental health funding initiated after the COVID-19 pandemic. This amount presents a notable contrast to the national median of $64,335, indicating a local salary that falls approximately 12.12% below the national average. With a salary range spanning from $41,427 at the 10th percentile to $87,630 at the 90th percentile, Cookeville's compensation for school counselors offers various opportunities for professionals as they navigate their careers. These estimates arise from state-level BLS data combined with regional price adjustments, and they illustrate how the local market is responding to increased hiring needs in the field. As local school systems prioritize mental health support, the demand for skilled counselors continues to grow, shaping salaries and job opportunities in Cookeville, TN.
About the Cookeville Market
Salary estimated from Tennessee average ($58,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $41,427 | $19.92 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $45,792 | $22.01 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $56,536 | $27.18 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $71,588 | $34.42 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $87,630 | $42.13 |
Median Salary Position
12.12% below the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Cookeville
In Cookeville, TN, the school counselor salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $46,203 (2026 est.). At $56,536, the local median is 12.12% below the national median of $64,335.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in Cookeville: You'd be in the lower-middle range
How Cookeville School Counselor Pay Compares
Cookeville median: $56,536/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Cookeville Pays |
|---|---|---|
| Tennessee Average | $59,511 | -5.00% less |
| National Average | $64,335 | -12.12% less |
School Counselors in Cookeville, TN earn a median of $56,536 per year (2026 est.), which is 12.12% lower than the national median of $64,335 and 5.00% below the Tennessee state average of $59,511.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Cookeville has a cost of living 8.20% below the national average, meaning your salary goes further here.
Adjusted salary = nominal × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average.
Cookeville, TN has a cost-of-living index of 91.8 (below the national average of 100). A school counselor earning $56,536 nominally has purchasing power equivalent to $61,586 in an average-cost city — an effective 8.93% 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
$49,122
2025 BLS Actual
$55,400
2026 Current Est.
$56,536
2019–2027 Growth
+17.5%
Salary Trajectory for School Counselors in Cookeville (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 2.05% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $49,122 | Actual |
| 2020 | $50,052 | Actual |
| 2021 | $52,110 | Actual |
| 2022 | $51,792 | Actual |
| 2023 | $53,144 | Actual |
| 2024 | $50,591 | Actual |
| 2025 | $55,400 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $56,536 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $57,695 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Cookeville metropolitan area, the median school counselor salary grew 12.8% from $49,122 (2019) to $55,400 (2025). At a 2.05% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $57,695 by 2027 — a total increase of $8,573 (17.45%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Cookeville 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) | $41,427 – $45,792 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $45,792 – $56,536 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $56,536 – $71,588 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $71,588 – $87,630 |
SC, LSC salary ranges estimated from BLS percentile data. Individual school counselor compensation varies by employer, certifications, and specialization.
School Counselor Job Market in Cookeville
The job market for school counselors in Cookeville shows promise, with seven professionals currently employed in the area. The local cost-of-living index of 91.8 suggests that salaries in Cookeville are conducive to reasonable purchasing power relative to national averages. While K-12 public school districts typically govern the pay structure via a step-and-lane model based on years of experience and educational attainment, those seeking to maximize their pay should consider various factors, such as pursuing additional qualifications beyond a master's degree or targeting districts known for offering high salaries. Choices also exist within charter and private schools, which may feature different salary structures and additional stipends for roles such as department heads or club advisors. By understanding the nuances of the local job market and actively seeking opportunities that align with its current demands, aspiring counselors can improve their potential earnings while contributing to vital mental health services in the community.
More salary data for Cookeville, TN:
Frequently Asked Questions
How much do school counselors make in Cookeville, TN in 2026?
Is Cookeville, TN a good place to work as a school counselor?
Can school counselors make $100K in Cookeville?
What is the cost-of-living adjusted school counselor salary in Cookeville?
How much does a school counselor make per hour in Cookeville?
Related Pages
Compare Salaries
Career Resources
Nearby Cities in Tennessee
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 $55,400 for school counselorsin the Cookeville 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 Cookeville 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