School Counselor Salary in Odessa, TX: $101,819 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time school counselor in Odessa, TX earns a median $101,819/year (≈ $48.95/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 21-1012). Once you factor in Odessa's price level (6% below national, BEA RPP 93.9), that paycheck buys what $108,438 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 52.1% above the Texas state average.
Official BLS data · View source
Odessa, TX, has seen an impressive boost in school counselor compensation, with a median annual salary expected to reach $101,819 by 2026, marking a significant 58.26% increase compared to the national median of $64,335. This growth results from an uptick in hiring linked to the post-COVID mental health funding expansion, aimed at addressing the increasing need for mental health support in educational settings. Counselors can anticipate salaries ranging from $42,233 at the lowest percentile to $119,990 at the highest, as reported by projections based on 2025 BLS OEWS data. This economic environment has enhanced the local job market for school counselors, making Odessa an attractive place for professionals in this field.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $42,233 | $20.30 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $64,906 | $31.21 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $101,819 | $48.95 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $101,819 | $48.95 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $119,990 | $57.69 |
Median Salary Position
58.26% above the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Odessa
In Odessa, TX, the school counselor salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $77,757 (2026 est.). At $101,819, the local median is 58.26% above the national median of $64,335.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in Odessa: You'd be in the upper quartile
How Odessa School Counselor Pay Compares
Odessa median: $101,819/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Odessa Pays |
|---|---|---|
| Texas Average | $66,942 | +52.10% more |
| National Average | $64,335 | +58.26% more |
School Counselors in Odessa, TX earn a median of $101,819 per year (2026 est.), which is 58.26% higher than the national median of $64,335 and 52.10% above the Texas state average of $66,942.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Odessa has a cost of living 6.10% below the national average, meaning your salary goes further here.
Adjusted salary = nominal × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average.
Odessa, TX has a cost-of-living index of 93.896 (below the national average of 100). A school counselor earning $101,819 nominally has purchasing power equivalent to $108,438 in an average-cost city — an effective 6.5% boost.
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2019 BLS Actual
$57,080
2025 BLS Actual
$99,774
2026 Current Est.
$101,819
2019–2027 Growth
+82.0%
Salary Trajectory for School Counselors in Odessa (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 2.05% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $57,080 | Actual |
| 2020 | $59,570 | Actual |
| 2021 | $62,090 | Actual |
| 2022 | $67,000 | Actual |
| 2023 | $75,500 | Actual |
| 2024 | $87,860 | Actual |
| 2025 | $99,774 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $101,819 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $103,907 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Odessa metropolitan area, the median school counselor salary grew 74.8% from $57,080 (2019) to $99,774 (2025). At a 2.05% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $103,907 by 2027 — a total increase of $46,827 (82.04%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Odessa 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) | $42,233 – $64,906 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $64,906 – $101,819 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $101,819 – $101,819 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $101,819 – $119,990 |
SC, LSC salary ranges estimated from BLS percentile data. Individual school counselor compensation varies by employer, certifications, and specialization.
School Counselor Job Market in Odessa
The job market for school counselors in Odessa is robust, with approximately 120 professionals currently employed in the area. With a cost of living index of 93.896, the affordability of housing and daily expenses can enhance take-home purchasing power for school counselors. Among local employers, K-12 public school districts typically offer the most competitive pay, often determined by a step-and-lane pay structure that factors in years of experience and educational qualifications. The disparity in salaries results from variations in school district funding, the level of education obtained (such as master's degrees versus master's plus additional credits or doctorate), and the prestige of specific roles, such as department heads or club advisors. To maximize earnings in this market, counselors should consider pursuing advanced certifications, engaging in summer programs, and exploring stipend roles, which offer additional financial incentives in a competitive landscape.
More salary data for Odessa, 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 $99,774 for school counselorsin the Odessa 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
Source: BLS, OEWS, 7-year dataset (–). Per-city data from annual BLS metropolitan area surveys.
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