School Counselor Salary in Friendswood, TX: $64,721 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time school counselor in Friendswood, TX earns a median $64,721/year (≈ $31.12/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 21-1012). Once you factor in Friendswood's price level (4% below national, BEA RPP 96.0), that paycheck buys what $67,418 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 3.3% below the Texas state average.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
In Friendswood, Texas, the projected median annual salary for school counselors in 2026 stands at $64,721, reflecting a slight increase of 0.60% compared to the national median of $64,335. This compensation range varies significantly from $48,963 (P10) to $100,318 (P90), showcasing the potential for a broad salary spectrum based on experience and district funding. Given that the American School Counselor Association recommends a 1:250 counselor-to-student ratio, the actual staffing in Friendswood may influence salary scales, especially since local districts often gauge their staffing needs against this benchmark. With the increased emphasis on mental health support stemming from the post-COVID landscape, Friendswood's district hiring practices can directly affect the local job market for counselors.
About the Friendswood Market
Salary estimated from Texas average ($66,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $48,963 | $23.54 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $53,759 | $25.85 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $64,721 | $31.12 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $82,843 | $39.83 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $100,318 | $48.23 |
Median Salary Position
0.60% above the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Friendswood
In Friendswood, TX, the school counselor salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $51,355 (2026 est.). At $64,721, the local median is 0.6% above the national median of $64,335.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in Friendswood: You'd be in the lower-middle range
How Friendswood School Counselor Pay Compares
Friendswood median: $64,721/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Friendswood Pays |
|---|---|---|
| Texas Average | $66,930 | -3.30% less |
| National Average | $64,335 | +0.60% more |
School Counselors in Friendswood, TX earn a median of $64,721 per year (2026 est.), which is 0.60% higher than the national median of $64,335 and 3.30% below the Texas state average of $66,930.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Friendswood 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.
Friendswood, TX has a cost-of-living index of 96 (below the national average of 100). A school counselor earning $64,721 nominally has purchasing power equivalent to $67,418 in an average-cost city — an effective 4.17% boost.
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2019 BLS Actual
$56,234
2025 BLS Actual
$63,421
2026 Current Est.
$64,721
2019–2027 Growth
+17.5%
Salary Trajectory for School Counselors in Friendswood (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 2.05% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $56,234 | Actual |
| 2020 | $57,299 | Actual |
| 2021 | $59,655 | Actual |
| 2022 | $59,290 | Actual |
| 2023 | $60,838 | Actual |
| 2024 | $61,245 | Actual |
| 2025 | $63,421 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $64,721 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $66,048 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Friendswood metropolitan area, the median school counselor salary grew 12.8% from $56,234 (2019) to $63,421 (2025). At a 2.05% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $66,048 by 2027 — a total increase of $9,814 (17.45%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Friendswood 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) | $48,963 – $53,759 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $53,759 – $64,721 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $64,721 – $82,843 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $82,843 – $100,318 |
SC, LSC salary ranges estimated from BLS percentile data. Individual school counselor compensation varies by employer, certifications, and specialization.
School Counselor Job Market in Friendswood
The local job market in Friendswood has eight active school counselors, indicative of a tightly held profession within the community. With a cost-of-living index of 96, salaries may reflect a slightly lower purchasing power relative to more expensive metropolitan areas. Among the various sources of employment, K-12 public school districts typically offer the most competitive pay, particularly for counselors with advanced degrees or additional responsibilities in the form of stipends. The variation in school counselor pay in Friendswood is largely driven by the established step-and-lane pay scale, which factors years of service and educational attainment, along with any premium for extended contracts that incorporate summer programs. Professionals looking to maximize their earnings in Friendswood should consider obtaining additional credentials and pursuing roles with greater responsibilities that align with district needs and the growing demand for counseling services.
More salary data for Friendswood, 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 $63,421 for school counselorsin the Friendswood 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 Friendswood 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