School Counselor Salary in Leander, TX: $64,974 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time school counselor in Leander, TX earns a median $64,974/year (≈ $31.24/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 21-1012). Once you factor in Leander's price level (4% below national, BEA RPP 96.0), that paycheck buys what $67,681 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 3.0% below the Texas state average.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
In 2026, the school counselor salary in Leander, TX is projected to be approximately $64,974, reflecting a robust local demand for mental health support in educational settings. The range spans from $45,983 for entry-level positions to $100,710 for those with significant experience and specialized qualifications. These estimates, derived from 2025 BLS data, take into account regional price disparities, highlighting Leander's competitive compensation within the context of national trends. As many districts, including those in Leander, continue to expand their mental health services, this increased funding has heightened the need for skilled counselors who can adequately address the challenges stemming from recent years.
About the Leander Market
Salary estimated from Texas average ($66,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $45,983 | $22.10 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $51,881 | $24.94 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $64,974 | $31.24 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $83,167 | $39.98 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $100,710 | $48.42 |
Median Salary Position
0.99% above the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Leander
In Leander, TX, the school counselor salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $54,727 (2026 est.). At $64,974, the local median is 0.99% above the national median of $64,335.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in Leander: You'd be in the lower-middle range
How Leander School Counselor Pay Compares
Leander median: $64,974/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Leander Pays |
|---|---|---|
| Texas Average | $66,984 | -3.00% less |
| National Average | $64,335 | +0.99% more |
School Counselors in Leander, TX earn a median of $64,974 per year (2026 est.), which is 0.99% higher than the national median of $64,335 and 3.00% below the Texas state average of $66,984.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Leander 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.
Leander, TX has a cost-of-living index of 96 (below the national average of 100). A school counselor earning $64,974 nominally has purchasing power equivalent to $67,681 in an average-cost city — an effective 4.17% boost.
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2019 BLS Actual
$56,454
2025 BLS Actual
$63,669
2026 Current Est.
$64,974
2019–2027 Growth
+17.5%
Salary Trajectory for School Counselors in Leander (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 2.05% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $56,454 | Actual |
| 2020 | $57,523 | Actual |
| 2021 | $59,888 | Actual |
| 2022 | $59,522 | Actual |
| 2023 | $61,076 | Actual |
| 2024 | $61,484 | Actual |
| 2025 | $63,669 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $64,974 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $66,306 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Leander metropolitan area, the median school counselor salary grew 12.8% from $56,454 (2019) to $63,669 (2025). At a 2.05% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $66,306 by 2027 — a total increase of $9,852 (17.45%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Leander 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) | $45,983 – $51,881 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $51,881 – $64,974 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $64,974 – $83,167 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $83,167 – $100,710 |
SC, LSC salary ranges estimated from BLS percentile data. Individual school counselor compensation varies by employer, certifications, and specialization.
School Counselor Job Market in Leander
Currently, there are 11 school counselors employed in Leander, indicating a stable yet limited job market. With a cost-of-living index at 96, the take-home purchasing power in this area is slightly below the national average, affecting how local salaries translate into quality of life. Among the various employers, K-12 public school districts generally provide the highest salaries, although charter and private schools also offer competitive pay depending on their funding structures. The significant spread in compensation can be attributed to factors such as the traditional step-and-lane pay scale based on experience and education, as well as additional stipends for roles like department heads or those involved in summer programs. Counselors looking to maximize their earnings may consider pursuing advanced degrees or certifications, particularly those beyond a master’s level, to secure placement in higher salary columns.
More salary data for Leander, 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 $63,669 for school counselorsin the Leander 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 Leander 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