School Counselor Salary in Abilene, TX: $58,005 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time school counselor in Abilene, TX earns a median $58,005/year (≈ $27.88/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 21-1012). Once you factor in Abilene's price level (10% below national, BEA RPP 90.4), that paycheck buys what $64,190 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 13.4% below the Texas state average.
Official BLS data · View source
In 2026, school counselors in Abilene, TX, can expect a median annual salary of $58,005, which falls below the national average of $64,335 by about 9.84%. The salary range for this profession is quite broad, with entry-level counselors earning as low as $39,364 and seasoned professionals making up to $79,647, as evidenced by data derived from 2025 BLS OEWS surveys. Abilene’s school districts have ratios significantly above the American School Counselor Association's recommendation of 1:250, contributing to a challenging landscape for counselors, especially given the increasing demand for mental health support in schools post-COVID. These dynamics highlight an ongoing need for more qualified professionals to address the growing student populations in need.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $39,364 | $18.92 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $42,874 | $20.61 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $58,005 | $27.88 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $67,966 | $32.68 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $79,647 | $38.29 |
Median Salary Position
9.84% below the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Abilene
In Abilene, TX, the school counselor salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $40,283 (2026 est.). At $58,005, the local median is 9.84% below the national median of $64,335.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in Abilene: You'd be in the lower-middle range
How Abilene School Counselor Pay Compares
Abilene median: $58,005/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Abilene Pays |
|---|---|---|
| Texas Average | $66,981 | -13.40% less |
| National Average | $64,335 | -9.84% less |
School Counselors in Abilene, TX earn a median of $58,005 per year (2026 est.), which is 9.84% lower than the national median of $64,335 and 13.40% below the Texas state average of $66,981.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Abilene has a cost of living 9.64% below the national average, meaning your salary goes further here.
Adjusted salary = nominal × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average.
Abilene, TX has a cost-of-living index of 90.364 (below the national average of 100). A school counselor earning $58,005 nominally has purchasing power equivalent to $64,190 in an average-cost city — an effective 10.66% boost.
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2019 BLS Actual
$49,960
2025 BLS Actual
$56,840
2026 Current Est.
$58,005
2019–2027 Growth
+18.5%
Salary Trajectory for School Counselors in Abilene (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 2.05% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $49,960 | Actual |
| 2020 | $53,460 | Actual |
| 2021 | $49,980 | Actual |
| 2022 | $49,590 | Actual |
| 2023 | $50,080 | Actual |
| 2024 | $53,580 | Actual |
| 2025 | $56,840 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $58,005 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $59,194 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Abilene metropolitan area, the median school counselor salary grew 13.8% from $49,960 (2019) to $56,840 (2025). At a 2.05% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $59,194 by 2027 — a total increase of $9,234 (18.48%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Abilene 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) | $39,364 – $42,874 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $42,874 – $58,005 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $58,005 – $67,966 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $67,966 – $79,647 |
SC, LSC salary ranges estimated from BLS percentile data. Individual school counselor compensation varies by employer, certifications, and specialization.
School Counselor Job Market in Abilene
Looking at the overall labor market, approximately 350 school counselors are currently employed in Abilene, suggesting a relatively stable demand for these roles despite the competitive salary structure. With a cost-of-living index of 90.364, which is below the national average, the purchasing power for counselors in this region can be impacted significantly. Larger K-12 public school districts tend to offer the most competitive salaries, reflecting the traditional step-and-lane pay structure, where compensation increases are tied to years of service and educational credentials. Variations in salary can also stem from additional responsibilities or summer programs that come with stipends, as well as the preference of some districts to hire counselors with higher degrees. For those looking to maximize their school counselor pay in Abilene, pursuing advanced degrees and seeking opportunities in larger districts or those offering summer sessions can be effective strategies to enhance compensation.
More salary data for Abilene, TX:
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 $56,840 for school counselorsin the Abilene 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