School Counselor Salary in Roanoke, VA: $61,276 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time school counselor in Roanoke, VA earns a median $61,276/year (≈ $29.46/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 21-1012). Once you factor in Roanoke's price level (6% below national, BEA RPP 93.6), that paycheck buys what $65,453 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 3.3% below the Virginia state average.
Official BLS data · View source
In 2026, the school counselor salary in Roanoke, VA, is projected to reach a median of $61,276, reflecting a slight decline compared to the national median of $64,335. This salary falls within a range that spans from $44,894 at the 10th percentile to $82,787 at the 90th percentile, indicating that while entry-level positions may start lower, experienced counselors can substantially increase their earnings. These figures are derived from the official Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) OEWS surveys and underscore the challenges faced by professionals in Roanoke. With the American School Counselor Association (ASCA) recommending a counselor-to-student ratio of 1:250, the current environment, where the ratio often exceeds this benchmark, signals the necessity for more support and resources for school counselors in Roanoke.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $44,894 | $21.58 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $52,995 | $25.48 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $61,276 | $29.46 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $76,167 | $36.63 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $82,787 | $39.80 |
Median Salary Position
4.75% below the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Roanoke
In Roanoke, VA, the school counselor salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $37,893 (2026 est.). At $61,276, the local median is 4.75% below the national median of $64,335.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in Roanoke: You'd be in the lower-middle range
How Roanoke School Counselor Pay Compares
Roanoke median: $61,276/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Roanoke Pays |
|---|---|---|
| Virginia Average | $63,367 | -3.30% less |
| National Average | $64,335 | -4.75% less |
School Counselors in Roanoke, VA earn a median of $61,276 per year (2026 est.), which is 4.75% lower than the national median of $64,335 and 3.30% below the Virginia state average of $63,367.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Roanoke has a cost of living 6.38% below the national average, meaning your salary goes further here.
Adjusted salary = nominal × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average.
Roanoke, VA has a cost-of-living index of 93.618 (below the national average of 100). A school counselor earning $61,276 nominally has purchasing power equivalent to $65,453 in an average-cost city — an effective 6.82% boost.
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2019 BLS Actual
$50,320
2025 BLS Actual
$60,045
2026 Current Est.
$61,276
2019–2027 Growth
+24.3%
Salary Trajectory for School Counselors in Roanoke (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 2.05% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $50,320 | Actual |
| 2020 | $65,860 | Actual |
| 2021 | $60,840 | Actual |
| 2022 | $58,270 | Actual |
| 2023 | $59,280 | Actual |
| 2024 | $62,230 | Actual |
| 2025 | $60,045 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $61,276 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $62,532 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Roanoke metropolitan area, the median school counselor salary grew 19.3% from $50,320 (2019) to $60,045 (2025). At a 2.05% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $62,532 by 2027 — a total increase of $12,212 (24.27%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Roanoke 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) | $44,894 – $52,995 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $52,995 – $61,276 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $61,276 – $76,167 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $76,167 – $82,787 |
SC, LSC salary ranges estimated from BLS percentile data. Individual school counselor compensation varies by employer, certifications, and specialization.
School Counselor Job Market in Roanoke
The local job market for school counselors features around 320 employed professionals, supporting a relatively stable trajectory for career growth, which is forecasted at an annual rate of 2.05%. Despite a cost-of-living index of 93.618 that suggests a lower living expense than the national average, the purchasing power for school counselor pay in Roanoke VA is still constrained. Within the local landscape, K-12 public school districts typically offer the most competitive salaries, often structured within a traditional step-and-lane pay scale. Factors such as years of experience, education level, and additional contractual duties significantly contribute to the variance in pay. For counselors seeking to maximize their income, pursuing additional qualifications like a master's plus 30 credits or engaging in summer programs and stipend roles can enhance earning potential in this competitive field.
More salary data for Roanoke, VA:
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 $60,045 for school counselorsin the Roanoke 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