School Counselor Salary in Plano, TX: $69,944 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time school counselor in Plano, TX earns a median $69,944/year (≈ $33.63/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 21-1012). Once you factor in Plano's price level (4% below national, BEA RPP 96.0), that paycheck buys what $72,858 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 4.5% above the Texas state average.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
In Plano, Texas, school counselors can expect a median annual salary of $69,944 in 2026, which reflects an 8.72% increase compared to the national median of $64,335. This competitive salary highlights the area's commitment to educational support, especially against the backdrop of the ASCA-recommended counselor-to-student ratio of 1:250. However, the actual counselor-to-student ratio in the district signals an ongoing demand for more qualified professionals, as it currently exceeds the recommended benchmark. The local salary range runs from $45,643 at the 10th percentile to $108,413 at the 90th percentile, illustrating the potential for substantial earnings based on experience and educational attainment. Estimates are based on 2025 BLS data and adjusted for cost of living, reflecting not just the profession's value but also the economic landscape within Plano.
About the Plano Market
Salary estimated from Texas average ($66,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $45,643 | $21.94 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $53,193 | $25.57 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $69,944 | $33.63 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $89,528 | $43.04 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $108,413 | $52.12 |
Median Salary Position
8.72% above the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Plano
In Plano, TX, the school counselor salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $62,770 (2026 est.). At $69,944, the local median is 8.72% above the national median of $64,335.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in Plano: You'd be in the lower-middle range
How Plano School Counselor Pay Compares
Plano median: $69,944/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Plano Pays |
|---|---|---|
| Texas Average | $66,932 | +4.50% more |
| National Average | $64,335 | +8.72% more |
School Counselors in Plano, TX earn a median of $69,944 per year (2026 est.), which is 8.72% higher than the national median of $64,335 and 4.50% above the Texas state average of $66,932.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Plano 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.
Plano, TX has a cost-of-living index of 96 (below the national average of 100). A school counselor earning $69,944 nominally has purchasing power equivalent to $72,858 in an average-cost city — an effective 4.17% boost.
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2019 BLS Actual
$60,772
2025 BLS Actual
$68,539
2026 Current Est.
$69,944
2019–2027 Growth
+17.5%
Salary Trajectory for School Counselors in Plano (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 2.05% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $60,772 | Actual |
| 2020 | $61,923 | Actual |
| 2021 | $64,469 | Actual |
| 2022 | $64,075 | Actual |
| 2023 | $65,748 | Actual |
| 2024 | $66,188 | Actual |
| 2025 | $68,539 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $69,944 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $71,378 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Plano metropolitan area, the median school counselor salary grew 12.8% from $60,772 (2019) to $68,539 (2025). At a 2.05% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $71,378 by 2027 — a total increase of $10,606 (17.45%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Plano 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) | $45,643 – $53,193 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $53,193 – $69,944 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $69,944 – $89,528 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $89,528 – $108,413 |
SC, LSC salary ranges estimated from BLS percentile data. Individual school counselor compensation varies by employer, certifications, and specialization.
School Counselor Job Market in Plano
The job market for school counselors in Plano remains robust, with approximately 57 counselors employed across various educational settings. Competitive salaries are influenced by factors such as the local cost of living index, which stands slightly below the national average at 96. This means that while salaries feel attractive, purchasing power may be constrained by local expenses. Public K-12 school systems typically provide the most lucrative opportunities, following a traditional step-and-lane pay structure influenced by years of experience and levels of education. Those looking to maximize their earnings might consider pursuing advanced degrees or certifications, such as a master's+30 or doctorate, which can lead to higher salary placements. Moreover, seeking roles with stipends for additional responsibilities like department head or club advisor can enhance overall compensation in this competitive local market.
More salary data for Plano, 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 $68,539 for school counselorsin the Plano 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 Plano 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