School Counselor Salary in Austin, TX: $61,576 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time school counselor in Austin, TX earns a median $61,576/year (≈ $29.60/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 21-1012). Once you factor in Austin's price level (2% below national, BEA RPP 98.1), that paycheck buys what $62,790 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 8.0% below the Texas state average.
Official BLS data · View source
In 2026, the average salary for school counselors in Austin, Texas, is projected to be $61,576, which reflects a slight decrease compared to the national median of $64,335. This projected compensation falls within a salary range that spans from $45,794 at the 10th percentile to $98,349 at the 90th percentile, based on 2025 BLS OEWS data, projected to 2026. Despite an increasing demand for school counselors buoyed by post-pandemic mental health funding initiatives, the established ratio of 1 school counselor for every 250 students is not yet met in Austin, highlighting a growing need for support personnel in the education system. Given these dynamics, individuals seeking a school counselor career must be aware of the local job market realities, which can significantly influence earnings potential.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $45,794 | $22.02 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $50,025 | $24.05 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $61,576 | $29.60 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $76,757 | $36.90 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $98,349 | $47.28 |
Median Salary Position
4.29% below the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Austin
In Austin, TX, the school counselor salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $52,555 (2026 est.). At $61,576, the local median is 4.29% below the national median of $64,335.
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At 40 hours/week in Austin: You'd be in the lower-middle range
How Austin School Counselor Pay Compares
Austin median: $61,576/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Austin Pays |
|---|---|---|
| Texas Average | $66,930 | -8.00% less |
| National Average | $64,335 | -4.29% less |
School Counselors in Austin, TX earn a median of $61,576 per year (2026 est.), which is 4.29% lower than the national median of $64,335 and 8.00% below the Texas state average of $66,930.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Austin has a cost of living 1.93% below the national average, meaning your salary goes further here.
Adjusted salary = nominal × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average.
Austin, TX has a cost-of-living index of 98.066 (below the national average of 100). A school counselor earning $61,576 nominally has purchasing power equivalent to $62,790 in an average-cost city — an effective 1.97% boost.
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2019 BLS Actual
$57,770
2025 BLS Actual
$60,339
2026 Current Est.
$61,576
2019–2027 Growth
+8.8%
Salary Trajectory for School Counselors in Austin (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 2.05% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $57,770 | Actual |
| 2020 | $57,300 | Actual |
| 2021 | $59,980 | Actual |
| 2022 | $62,490 | Actual |
| 2023 | $65,640 | Actual |
| 2024 | $60,730 | Actual |
| 2025 | $60,339 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $61,576 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $62,838 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Austin metropolitan area, the median school counselor salary grew 4.4% from $57,770 (2019) to $60,339 (2025). At a 2.05% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $62,838 by 2027 — a total increase of $5,068 (8.77%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Austin 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) | $45,794 – $50,025 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $50,025 – $61,576 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $61,576 – $76,757 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $76,757 – $98,349 |
SC, LSC salary ranges estimated from BLS percentile data. Individual school counselor compensation varies by employer, certifications, and specialization.
School Counselor Job Market in Austin
With approximately 3,500 school counselors employed across the Austin area, competition for positions is substantial. The cost of living index in Austin stands at 98.066, meaning take-home purchasing power for school counselor salaries must account for local expenses relative to the national average. Among local employers, K-12 public school districts typically offer the most competitive pay, aligning with the step-and-lane pay structure that accounts for education and years of experience. Other potential high-paying roles include positions within charter networks or specialized post-secondary counseling settings. Differences in pay can often be attributed to factors such as higher remuneration in districts experiencing higher living costs, extended school year contracts, and supplementary roles that command stipends. For aspiring counselors, pursuing additional qualifications or taking on leadership roles can be effective strategies for maximizing earning potential in Austin’s evolving educational landscape.
More salary data for Austin, 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 $60,339 for school counselorsin the Austin 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