School Counselor Salary in Lufkin, TX: $63,553 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time school counselor in Lufkin, TX earns a median $63,553/year (≈ $30.55/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 21-1012). Once you factor in Lufkin's price level (4% below national, BEA RPP 96.0), that paycheck buys what $66,201 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 5.1% below the Texas state average.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
Lufkin, TX, is witnessing positive changes in the hiring landscape for school counselors, particularly following the expansion of mental health funding after COVID-19. The median annual school counselor salary in Lufkin is projected to be $63,553 in 2026. Salaries in the area will range from $46,460 at the 10th percentile to $98,507 at the 90th percentile, reflecting diverse circumstances in both experience and educational backgrounds. These figures are derived from 2025 BLS data, adjusted for regional cost factors, which position Lufkin slightly below the national median of $64,335. The growing demand for qualified school counselors in Lufkin suggests a competitive job market, especially as local schools work to improve counselor-to-student ratios in light of post-pandemic health considerations.
About the Lufkin Market
Salary estimated from Texas average ($66,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $46,460 | $22.34 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $51,394 | $24.71 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $63,553 | $30.55 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $80,395 | $38.66 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $98,507 | $47.36 |
Median Salary Position
1.22% below the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Lufkin
In Lufkin, TX, the school counselor salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $52,047 (2026 est.). At $63,553, the local median is 1.22% below the national median of $64,335.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in Lufkin: You'd be in the lower-middle range
How Lufkin School Counselor Pay Compares
Lufkin median: $63,553/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Lufkin Pays |
|---|---|---|
| Texas Average | $66,968 | -5.10% less |
| National Average | $64,335 | -1.22% less |
School Counselors in Lufkin, TX earn a median of $63,553 per year (2026 est.), which is 1.22% lower than the national median of $64,335 and 5.10% below the Texas state average of $66,968.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Lufkin 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.
Lufkin, TX has a cost-of-living index of 96 (below the national average of 100). A school counselor earning $63,553 nominally has purchasing power equivalent to $66,201 in an average-cost city — an effective 4.17% boost.
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2019 BLS Actual
$55,219
2025 BLS Actual
$62,276
2026 Current Est.
$63,553
2019–2027 Growth
+17.5%
Salary Trajectory for School Counselors in Lufkin (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 2.05% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $55,219 | Actual |
| 2020 | $56,264 | Actual |
| 2021 | $58,578 | Actual |
| 2022 | $58,220 | Actual |
| 2023 | $59,740 | Actual |
| 2024 | $60,139 | Actual |
| 2025 | $62,276 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $63,553 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $64,855 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Lufkin metropolitan area, the median school counselor salary grew 12.8% from $55,219 (2019) to $62,276 (2025). At a 2.05% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $64,855 by 2027 — a total increase of $9,636 (17.45%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Lufkin 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) | $46,460 – $51,394 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $51,394 – $63,553 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $63,553 – $80,395 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $80,395 – $98,507 |
SC, LSC salary ranges estimated from BLS percentile data. Individual school counselor compensation varies by employer, certifications, and specialization.
School Counselor Job Market in Lufkin
Currently, there are eight school counselors employed in Lufkin, creating a small yet stable job market for this profession. The cost of living index sitting at 96 illustrates that living expenses in Lufkin are below the national average, which can enhance take-home pay for counselors and support a satisfactory quality of life. Among local employers, K-12 public school districts typically offer the best compensation, utilizing a step-and-lane pay scale that factors in years of experience and education levels. Variations in salary reflect the complexities of district funding, potential stipends for extra roles, and contracts that extend into summer programs. To maximize pay, prospective school counselors in Lufkin should consider pursuing advanced degrees, seeking positions in higher-paying districts, and actively engaging in professional development opportunities that can elevate their standing in the compensation tiers.
More salary data for Lufkin, 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 $62,276 for school counselorsin the Lufkin 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 Lufkin 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