School Counselor Salary in Murfreesboro, TN: $59,483 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time school counselor in Murfreesboro, TN earns a median $59,483/year (≈ $28.59/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 21-1012). Once you factor in Murfreesboro's price level (8% below national, BEA RPP 91.8), that paycheck buys what $64,796 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 0.0% above the Tennessee state average.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
In 2026, school counselors in Murfreesboro, Tennessee can expect a median annual salary of $59,483, which positions this local profession approximately 7.54% lower than the national median of $64,335. Salaries in the region range from $41,705 at the 10th percentile to $92,198 at the 90th percentile, reflecting the disparities often seen within educational roles based on experience and educational attainment. Based on 2025 BLS data, projected to 2026, these estimates are influenced by local economic conditions, including the cost of living index in Murfreesboro, which stands below the national average. With the job market comprising 29 active school counselors, individuals seeking positions in this area should stay informed about various hiring factors that influence the local pay scale.
About the Murfreesboro Market
Salary estimated from Tennessee average ($58,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $41,705 | $20.05 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $47,176 | $22.69 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $59,483 | $28.59 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $76,138 | $36.61 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $92,198 | $44.33 |
Median Salary Position
7.54% below the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Murfreesboro
In Murfreesboro, TN, the school counselor salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $50,493 (2026 est.). At $59,483, the local median is 7.54% below the national median of $64,335.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in Murfreesboro: You'd be in the lower-middle range
How Murfreesboro School Counselor Pay Compares
Murfreesboro median: $59,483/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Murfreesboro Pays |
|---|---|---|
| National Average | $64,335 | -7.54% less |
School Counselors in Murfreesboro, TN earn a median of $59,483 per year (2026 est.), which is 7.54% lower than the national median of $64,335.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Murfreesboro 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.
Murfreesboro, TN has a cost-of-living index of 91.8 (below the national average of 100). A school counselor earning $59,483 nominally has purchasing power equivalent to $64,796 in an average-cost city — an effective 8.93% boost.
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2019 BLS Actual
$51,683
2025 BLS Actual
$58,288
2026 Current Est.
$59,483
2019–2027 Growth
+17.5%
Salary Trajectory for School Counselors in Murfreesboro (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 2.05% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $51,683 | Actual |
| 2020 | $52,661 | Actual |
| 2021 | $54,827 | Actual |
| 2022 | $54,492 | Actual |
| 2023 | $55,914 | Actual |
| 2024 | $52,824 | Actual |
| 2025 | $58,288 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $59,483 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $60,702 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Murfreesboro metropolitan area, the median school counselor salary grew 12.8% from $51,683 (2019) to $58,288 (2025). At a 2.05% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $60,702 by 2027 — a total increase of $9,019 (17.45%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Murfreesboro 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) | $41,705 – $47,176 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $47,176 – $59,483 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $59,483 – $76,138 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $76,138 – $92,198 |
SC, LSC salary ranges estimated from BLS percentile data. Individual school counselor compensation varies by employer, certifications, and specialization.
School Counselor Job Market in Murfreesboro
The job market for school counselors in Murfreesboro offers unique opportunities tempered by local economic realities. With a cost of living index sitting at 91.8, salaries may seem modest, but purchasing power may still align with the needs of residents. Among prominent employers, K-12 public school districts typically lead in compensation, particularly for counselors who utilize the step-and-lane payment structure, ensuring pay increases with years of service and additional educational qualifications. Factors such as master's versus master's plus 30 or doctorate degrees can significantly affect compensation levels, alongside district demands for additional roles, such as department heads or summer program coordinators. To maximize earning potential, counselors should consider pursuing continued education and additional certifications, as well as remain adaptable to opportunities in growing fields, particularly in response to heightened demand for mental health resources in schools post-COVID.
More salary data for Murfreesboro, 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 $58,288 for school counselorsin the Murfreesboro 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 Murfreesboro 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