School Counselor Salary in Fort Worth, TX: $75,888 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time school counselor in Fort Worth, TX earns a median $75,888/year (≈ $36.48/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 21-1012). Once you factor in Fort Worth's price level (4% below national, BEA RPP 96.0), that paycheck buys what $79,050 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 13.3% above the Texas state average.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
Driven by a recent expansion in mental health funding, the school counselor salary in Fort Worth has seen notable growth, with a projected median annual income of $75,888 for 2026. This amount is significantly higher than the national median of $64,335, indicating a strong local job market for counselors. The salary range for this profession in the area stretches from $52,981 at the 10th percentile to $117,627 at the 90th percentile, based on estimates derived from 2025 BLS data. Local districts are actively hiring to address the growing mental health needs within schools, given the rising student-to-counselor ratios and increased demands for support services. This environment presents promising opportunities for school counselors, particularly those seeking to make meaningful contributions in Fort Worth.
About the Fort Worth Market
Salary estimated from Texas average ($66,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $52,981 | $25.47 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $60,316 | $29.00 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $75,888 | $36.48 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $97,137 | $46.70 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $117,627 | $56.56 |
Median Salary Position
17.96% above the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Fort Worth
In Fort Worth, TX, the school counselor salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $64,646 (2026 est.). At $75,888, the local median is 17.96% above the national median of $64,335.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in Fort Worth: You'd be in the lower-middle range
How Fort Worth School Counselor Pay Compares
Fort Worth median: $75,888/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Fort Worth Pays |
|---|---|---|
| Texas Average | $66,980 | +13.30% more |
| National Average | $64,335 | +17.96% more |
School Counselors in Fort Worth, TX earn a median of $75,888 per year (2026 est.), which is 17.96% higher than the national median of $64,335 and 13.30% above the Texas state average of $66,980.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Fort Worth 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.
Fort Worth, TX has a cost-of-living index of 96 (below the national average of 100). A school counselor earning $75,888 nominally has purchasing power equivalent to $79,050 in an average-cost city — an effective 4.17% boost.
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2019 BLS Actual
$65,937
2025 BLS Actual
$74,364
2026 Current Est.
$75,888
2019–2027 Growth
+17.5%
Salary Trajectory for School Counselors in Fort Worth (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 2.05% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $65,937 | Actual |
| 2020 | $67,185 | Actual |
| 2021 | $69,948 | Actual |
| 2022 | $69,520 | Actual |
| 2023 | $71,335 | Actual |
| 2024 | $67,983 | Actual |
| 2025 | $74,364 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $75,888 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $77,444 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Fort Worth metropolitan area, the median school counselor salary grew 12.8% from $65,937 (2019) to $74,364 (2025). At a 2.05% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $77,444 by 2027 — a total increase of $11,507 (17.45%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Fort Worth 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) | $52,981 – $60,316 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $60,316 – $75,888 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $75,888 – $97,137 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $97,137 – $117,627 |
SC, LSC salary ranges estimated from BLS percentile data. Individual school counselor compensation varies by employer, certifications, and specialization.
School Counselor Job Market in Fort Worth
With 219 school counselors currently employed in Fort Worth, the job market reflects both stability and competition. The cost of living index stands at 96, slightly below the national average, which means counselors can enjoy favorable purchasing power relative to their salaries. K-12 public school districts typically provide the best compensation packages, often adhering to a step-and-lane pay scale influenced by years of experience and degrees. Other factors, including placements for advanced degrees, additional responsibilities like summer programs, and various stipends, contribute to the salary variations. Those looking to maximize their school counselor pay in Fort Worth TX may consider pursuing advanced certifications or seeking roles that offer extended contracts, as well as gaining experience in high-demand specialties to increase their marketability.
More salary data for Fort Worth, 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 $74,364 for school counselorsin the Fort Worth 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 Fort Worth 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