School Counselor Salary in La Crosse, WI: $60,735 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time school counselor in La Crosse, WI earns a median $60,735/year (≈ $29.21/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 21-1012). Once you factor in La Crosse's price level (8% below national, BEA RPP 91.8), that paycheck buys what $66,182 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 1.7% below the Wisconsin state average.
Official BLS data · View source
Recent expansions in mental health funding post-COVID have fueled a surge in hiring for school counselors in La Crosse, Wisconsin, where the projected median annual salary is set at $60,735 for 2026. This level of compensation reflects a range from $46,764 at the 10th percentile to $78,037 at the 90th percentile, providing a competitive landscape within the context of local job opportunities. These figures, derived from official Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) OEWS surveys, highlight the increased demand for school counseling support as districts respond to the ongoing mental health crisis among students. While the school counselor salary in La Crosse is slightly below the national median of $64,335, the growth projection of 2.05% indicates an encouraging trend in compensation as the field evolves to meet community needs.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $46,764 | $22.48 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $48,675 | $23.40 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $60,735 | $29.21 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $71,036 | $34.16 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $78,037 | $37.51 |
Median Salary Position
5.6% below the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in La Crosse
In La Crosse, WI, the school counselor salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $31,273 (2026 est.). At $60,735, the local median is 5.6% below the national median of $64,335.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in La Crosse: You'd be in the lower-middle range
How La Crosse School Counselor Pay Compares
La Crosse median: $60,735/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | La Crosse Pays |
|---|---|---|
| Wisconsin Average | $61,785 | -1.70% less |
| National Average | $64,335 | -5.60% less |
School Counselors in La Crosse, WI earn a median of $60,735 per year (2026 est.), which is 5.60% lower than the national median of $64,335 and 1.70% below the Wisconsin state average of $61,785.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
La Crosse has a cost of living 8.23% below the national average, meaning your salary goes further here.
Adjusted salary = nominal × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average.
La Crosse, WI has a cost-of-living index of 91.769 (below the national average of 100). A school counselor earning $60,735 nominally has purchasing power equivalent to $66,182 in an average-cost city — an effective 8.97% boost.
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2019 BLS Actual
$41,710
2025 BLS Actual
$59,515
2026 Current Est.
$60,735
2019–2027 Growth
+48.6%
Salary Trajectory for School Counselors in La Crosse (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 2.05% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $41,710 | Actual |
| 2020 | $44,350 | Actual |
| 2021 | $60,510 | Actual |
| 2022 | $54,470 | Actual |
| 2023 | $59,060 | Actual |
| 2024 | $61,800 | Actual |
| 2025 | $59,515 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $60,735 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $61,980 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the La Crosse metropolitan area, the median school counselor salary grew 42.7% from $41,710 (2019) to $59,515 (2025). At a 2.05% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $61,980 by 2027 — a total increase of $20,270 (48.60%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the La Crosse 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) | $46,764 – $48,675 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $48,675 – $60,735 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $60,735 – $71,036 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $71,036 – $78,037 |
SC, LSC salary ranges estimated from BLS percentile data. Individual school counselor compensation varies by employer, certifications, and specialization.
School Counselor Job Market in La Crosse
In La Crosse, about 160 school counselors are employed across various educational settings, each navigating a cost of living index of 91.769, which suggests that take-home pay has strong purchasing power compared to many national averages. Among the highest-paying employers are K-12 public school districts, often leveraging a step-and-lane salary scale based on years of experience and educational attainment. The significant pay spread in the region can be attributed to the complexity of counselor roles, including additional responsibilities in summer programs and department leadership. Furthermore, counselors with advanced degrees, like a master's+30 or doctorate, often find themselves positioned higher on the pay scale. For those entering the field or looking to maximize their school counselor pay in La Crosse, active involvement in professional development, seeking higher levels of education, and exploring stipends for additional duties can provide substantial financial rewards while contributing positively to the educational environment.
More salary data for La Crosse, WI:
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 $59,515 for school counselorsin the La Crosse 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