School Counselor Salary in La Vergne, TN: $56,827 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time school counselor in La Vergne, TN earns a median $56,827/year (≈ $27.32/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 21-1012). Once you factor in La Vergne's price level (8% below national, BEA RPP 91.8), that paycheck buys what $61,903 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 4.5% below the Tennessee state average.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
In La Vergne, TN, the projected median annual school counselor salary in 2026 is $56,827, which is notably lower than the national median of $64,335. With a salary range spanning from $42,113 at the lower end to $88,081 at the upper end, these figures, derived from 2025 BLS data, highlight the local compensation landscape for school counselors. The city also experiences a lower cost of living indexed at 91.8, which influences the purchasing power of these salaries. Coupled with a school counselor-to-student ratio that exceeds the American School Counselor Association’s recommended benchmark of 1:250, La Vergne's job market presents challenges that affect salary levels, particularly for educators working within the K-12 system.
About the La Vergne Market
Salary estimated from Tennessee average ($58,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $42,113 | $20.25 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $46,376 | $22.30 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $56,827 | $27.32 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $72,209 | $34.72 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $88,081 | $42.35 |
Median Salary Position
11.67% below the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in La Vergne
In La Vergne, TN, the school counselor salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $45,968 (2026 est.). At $56,827, the local median is 11.67% below the national median of $64,335.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in La Vergne: You'd be in the lower-middle range
How La Vergne School Counselor Pay Compares
La Vergne median: $56,827/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | La Vergne Pays |
|---|---|---|
| Tennessee Average | $59,504 | -4.50% less |
| National Average | $64,335 | -11.67% less |
School Counselors in La Vergne, TN earn a median of $56,827 per year (2026 est.), which is 11.67% lower than the national median of $64,335 and 4.50% below the Tennessee state average of $59,504.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
La Vergne 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.
La Vergne, TN has a cost-of-living index of 91.8 (below the national average of 100). A school counselor earning $56,827 nominally has purchasing power equivalent to $61,903 in an average-cost city — an effective 8.93% boost.
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2019 BLS Actual
$49,375
2025 BLS Actual
$55,685
2026 Current Est.
$56,827
2019–2027 Growth
+17.5%
Salary Trajectory for School Counselors in La Vergne (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 2.05% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $49,375 | Actual |
| 2020 | $50,310 | Actual |
| 2021 | $52,378 | Actual |
| 2022 | $52,058 | Actual |
| 2023 | $53,417 | Actual |
| 2024 | $50,851 | Actual |
| 2025 | $55,685 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $56,827 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $57,991 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the La Vergne metropolitan area, the median school counselor salary grew 12.8% from $49,375 (2019) to $55,685 (2025). At a 2.05% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $57,991 by 2027 — a total increase of $8,616 (17.45%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the La Vergne 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) | $42,113 – $46,376 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $46,376 – $56,827 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $56,827 – $72,209 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $72,209 – $88,081 |
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 Vergne
Examining the local job market, La Vergne has approximately eight school counselors employed, indicating a modest demand in this sector. The cost of living index suggests that while salaries are lower than the national average, they remain relatively competitive when adjusting for local expenses. K-12 public school districts generally provide the most competitive pay, following a step-and-lane pay scale where experience and education level significantly impact salaries. The disparity in compensation is often driven by factors such as years of experience, advanced degrees beyond a master's, and additional responsibilities like department head roles or summer programs. Counselors looking to maximize their school counselor pay in La Vergne, TN, should consider these structures and pursue advanced qualifications or take on additional roles within their schools to enhance their earnings potential.
More salary data for La Vergne, TN:
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 $55,685 for school counselorsin the La Vergne 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 Vergne 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