School Counselor Salary in Victoria, TX: $84,437 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time school counselor in Victoria, TX earns a median $84,437/year (≈ $40.60/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 21-1012). Once you factor in Victoria's price level (10% below national, BEA RPP 89.8), that paycheck buys what $93,987 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 26.1% above the Texas state average.
Official BLS data · View source

School counselors in Victoria, Texas, can expect a projected median annual salary of $84,437 in 2026, which is significantly above the national average of $64,335 for the same year. The salary range in this area is quite varied, with the 10th percentile earning approximately $37,543 and the 90th percentile earning up to $94,629. These figures, derived from the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS) surveys, reflect the increasing demand for mental health resources in schools, a trend bolstered by post-COVID funding initiatives aimed at enhancing student support services. As districts expand their hiring to accommodate a growing student population and improve counselor-to-student ratios, the job market for school counselors remains robust.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $37,543 | $18.05 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $45,314 | $21.78 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $84,437 | $40.60 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $94,629 | $45.49 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $94,629 | $45.49 |
Median Salary Position
31.25% above the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Victoria
In Victoria, TX, the school counselor salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $57,086 (2026 est.). At $84,437, the local median is 31.25% above the national median of $64,335.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in Victoria: You'd be in the upper quartile
How Victoria School Counselor Pay Compares
Victoria median: $84,437/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Victoria Pays |
|---|---|---|
| Texas Average | $66,960 | +26.10% more |
| National Average | $64,335 | +31.25% more |
School Counselors in Victoria, TX earn a median of $84,437 per year (2026 est.), which is 31.25% higher than the national median of $64,335 and 26.10% above the Texas state average of $66,960.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Victoria has a cost of living 10.16% below the national average, meaning your salary goes further here.
Adjusted salary = nominal × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average.
Victoria, TX has a cost-of-living index of 89.839 (below the national average of 100). A school counselor earning $84,437 nominally has purchasing power equivalent to $93,987 in an average-cost city — an effective 11.31% boost.
Compare Purchasing Power
Select a city to see how your salary compares after cost of living
Select a city above to compare purchasing power
2019 BLS Actual
$55,080
2025 BLS Actual
$82,741
2026 Current Est.
$84,437
2019–2027 Growth
+56.4%
Salary Trajectory for School Counselors in Victoria (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 2.05% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $55,080 | Actual |
| 2020 | $55,700 | Actual |
| 2021 | $61,870 | Actual |
| 2022 | $60,180 | Actual |
| 2023 | $56,930 | Actual |
| 2024 | $59,160 | Actual |
| 2025 | $82,741 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $84,437 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $86,168 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Victoria metropolitan area, the median school counselor salary grew 50.2% from $55,080 (2019) to $82,741 (2025). At a 2.05% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $86,168 by 2027 — a total increase of $31,088 (56.44%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Victoria 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) | $37,543 – $45,314 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $45,314 – $84,437 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $84,437 – $94,629 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $94,629 – $94,629 |
SC, LSC salary ranges estimated from BLS percentile data. Individual school counselor compensation varies by employer, certifications, and specialization.
School Counselor Job Market in Victoria
In Victoria, there are currently around 100 employed school counselors, a statistic that suggests a healthy local job market for aspiring professionals in this field. The cost of living index of 89.839, which is below the national average, indicates that salaries here can stretch further compared to many regions. Key employers often include local K-12 public school districts, charter networks, and private institutions, with public schools typically offering more competitive compensation packages due to their structured step-and-lane pay scales. Factors influencing the salary spread include experience levels, educational attainment, and additional roles such as department heads or advisors for extracurricular activities. To maximize earning potential in Victoria, counselors should consider pursuing advanced degrees, obtaining specialized credentials, and participating in summer programs, all of which can lead to higher pay grades on the district scale while addressing the pressing need for extensive guidance resources in the community.
More salary data for Victoria, TX:
Frequently Asked Questions
How much do school counselors make in Victoria, TX in 2026?
Is Victoria, TX a good place to work as a school counselor?
Can school counselors make $100K in Victoria?
What is the cost-of-living adjusted school counselor salary in Victoria?
How much does a school counselor make per hour in Victoria?
Related Pages
Compare Salaries
Career Resources
Nearby Cities in Texas
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 $82,741 for school counselorsin the Victoria 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