School Counselor Salary in Cleburne, TX: $66,561 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time school counselor in Cleburne, TX earns a median $66,561/year (≈ $32.00/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 21-1012). Once you factor in Cleburne's price level (4% below national, BEA RPP 96.0), that paycheck buys what $69,334 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 0.6% below the Texas state average.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
In Cleburne, TX, the 2026 projected school counselor salary reaches $66,561, reflecting an upward trend compared to the national figure of $64,335. This compensation is situated within a salary range that spans from $48,185 at the 10th percentile to $103,169 at the 90th percentile. These estimates are derived from 2025 BLS data, adjusted for local cost of living considerations, which currently stands below the national average. With recent expansions in mental health funding post-COVID, many districts have increased their hiring efforts, enhancing the employment landscape for school counselors in the area and elevating opportunities within the local job market.
About the Cleburne Market
Salary estimated from Texas average ($66,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $48,185 | $23.17 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $53,529 | $25.74 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $66,561 | $32.00 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $85,198 | $40.96 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $103,169 | $49.60 |
Median Salary Position
3.46% above the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Cleburne
In Cleburne, TX, the school counselor salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $54,984 (2026 est.). At $66,561, the local median is 3.46% above the national median of $64,335.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in Cleburne: You'd be in the lower-middle range
How Cleburne School Counselor Pay Compares
Cleburne median: $66,561/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Cleburne Pays |
|---|---|---|
| Texas Average | $66,963 | -0.60% less |
| National Average | $64,335 | +3.46% more |
School Counselors in Cleburne, TX earn a median of $66,561 per year (2026 est.), which is 3.46% higher than the national median of $64,335 and 0.60% below the Texas state average of $66,963.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Cleburne has a cost of living 4.00% below the national average, meaning your salary goes further here.
Adjusted salary = nominal × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average.
Cleburne, TX has a cost-of-living index of 96 (below the national average of 100). A school counselor earning $66,561 nominally has purchasing power equivalent to $69,334 in an average-cost city — an effective 4.17% boost.
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2019 BLS Actual
$57,833
2025 BLS Actual
$65,224
2026 Current Est.
$66,561
2019–2027 Growth
+17.5%
Salary Trajectory for School Counselors in Cleburne (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 2.05% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $57,833 | Actual |
| 2020 | $58,928 | Actual |
| 2021 | $61,351 | Actual |
| 2022 | $60,976 | Actual |
| 2023 | $62,568 | Actual |
| 2024 | $62,986 | Actual |
| 2025 | $65,224 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $66,561 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $67,926 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Cleburne metropolitan area, the median school counselor salary grew 12.8% from $57,833 (2019) to $65,224 (2025). At a 2.05% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $67,926 by 2027 — a total increase of $10,093 (17.45%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Cleburne 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) | $48,185 – $53,529 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $53,529 – $66,561 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $66,561 – $85,198 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $85,198 – $103,169 |
SC, LSC salary ranges estimated from BLS percentile data. Individual school counselor compensation varies by employer, certifications, and specialization.
School Counselor Job Market in Cleburne
Currently, Cleburne employs seven school counselors, reflecting a stable job market for this profession. The local cost of living index of 96 indicates that counselors may find an extended purchasing power compared to other regions. K-12 public school districts generally offer competitive pay, with opportunities in charter and private schools also available. The variance in school counselor pay is often linked to factors such as the step-and-lane pay scale implemented by districts based on years of experience and education levels. Counselors aiming to maximize their salary potential should consider additional responsibilities, such as advising clubs or extended contracts during summer programs, which can significantly enhance their overall compensation. In this evolving landscape of school counseling in Cleburne, understanding the local pay structure will be crucial for those entering the field.
More salary data for Cleburne, 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 $65,224 for school counselorsin the Cleburne 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 Cleburne 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