School Counselor Salary in Tyler, TX: $72,777 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time school counselor in Tyler, TX earns a median $72,777/year (≈ $34.98/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 21-1012). Once you factor in Tyler's price level (8% below national, BEA RPP 92.2), that paycheck buys what $78,972 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 8.7% above the Texas state average.
Official BLS data · View source

In 2026, school counselors in Tyler, TX, are projected to earn a median annual salary of $72,777. This figure reflects a notable increase compared to the national median salary of $64,335, highlighting Tyler's competitive position in the job market. Salaries for school counselors within the city range from $42,174 at the 10th percentile to $101,080 at the 90th percentile. These estimates are derived from 2025 BLS OEWS data, projected to 2026, and demonstrate the potential for significant earnings based on experience and educational credentials. For individuals navigating the step-and-lane pay structure typical in K-12 education, placement on the salary scale can greatly influence overall compensation.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $42,174 | $20.27 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $45,504 | $21.88 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $72,777 | $34.98 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $92,508 | $44.47 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $101,080 | $48.60 |
Median Salary Position
13.12% above the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Tyler
In Tyler, TX, the school counselor salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $58,906 (2026 est.). At $72,777, the local median is 13.12% above the national median of $64,335.
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How Tyler School Counselor Pay Compares
Tyler median: $72,777/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Tyler Pays |
|---|---|---|
| Texas Average | $66,952 | +8.70% more |
| National Average | $64,335 | +13.12% more |
School Counselors in Tyler, TX earn a median of $72,777 per year (2026 est.), which is 13.12% higher than the national median of $64,335 and 8.70% above the Texas state average of $66,952.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Tyler has a cost of living 7.84% below the national average, meaning your salary goes further here.
Adjusted salary = nominal × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average.
Tyler, TX has a cost-of-living index of 92.156 (below the national average of 100). A school counselor earning $72,777 nominally has purchasing power equivalent to $78,972 in an average-cost city — an effective 8.51% boost.
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2019 BLS Actual
$53,840
2025 BLS Actual
$71,315
2026 Current Est.
$72,777
2019–2027 Growth
+37.9%
Salary Trajectory for School Counselors in Tyler (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 2.05% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $53,840 | Actual |
| 2020 | $56,670 | Actual |
| 2021 | $59,110 | Actual |
| 2022 | $57,260 | Actual |
| 2023 | $61,850 | Actual |
| 2024 | $64,280 | Actual |
| 2025 | $71,315 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $72,777 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $74,269 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Tyler metropolitan area, the median school counselor salary grew 32.5% from $53,840 (2019) to $71,315 (2025). At a 2.05% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $74,269 by 2027 — a total increase of $20,429 (37.94%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Tyler 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) | $42,174 – $45,504 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $45,504 – $72,777 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $72,777 – $92,508 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $92,508 – $101,080 |
SC, LSC salary ranges estimated from BLS percentile data. Individual school counselor compensation varies by employer, certifications, and specialization.
School Counselor Job Market in Tyler
The local job market for school counselors in Tyler is robust, with approximately 220 professionals employed in this field. The cost-of-living index of 92.156 indicates that living expenses are below the national average, effectively enhancing take-home pay for counselors. Among local employers, K-12 public school districts tend to offer the highest salaries, particularly for those in higher educational tiers, such as masters+30 or doctorate placements. The discrepancy in wages often results from experience levels, associated duties, and extended school year contracts, as well as stipend opportunities for roles like department heads or club advisors. To maximize earning potential in the Tyler market, counselors should consider advancing their educational qualifications, actively seek out additional responsibilities within their schools, and leverage any available summer programs for extra pay. This ongoing focus on professional development can significantly enhance school counselor pay in Tyler, TX.
More salary data for Tyler, 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 $71,315 for school counselorsin the Tyler 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