Senior School Counselor Salary in Brookings, SD: $82,368 (2026)
Quick Answer:The top tier of school counselors working in Brookings, SD — those at or above the 90th percentile — pull in $82,368/year or more for 2026, based on BLS OEWS 2025 estimates for SOC 21-1012. Strip back Brookings's price premium (BEA RPP 92.8, 7% below national) and that top-decile pay carries the same buying power as $88,759 in average-cost America. The 52% spread above city median typically rewards 7+ years of practice or specialty credentials.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
In Brookings, South Dakota, experienced school counselors can earn top-tier salaries, with projections indicating that individuals at the 90th percentile could make as much as $82,368 in 2026. This figure positions top earners in Brookings significantly behind the national average, which sits at $64,335, reflecting a gap that emphasizes the importance of climbing the career ladder to achieve such salaries. The median annual salary of $54,055 suggests a solid foundation for experienced school counselors, yet reaching the higher compensation brackets often involves acquiring specialized skills and experiences. Professionals looking to maximize their earning potential should focus on advanced certifications and professional development, aiming to fill crucial roles that are in high demand within Brookings, such as mental health counseling or career and technical education coordination.
About the Brookings Market
Salary estimated from South Dakota average ($58,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Brookings
Experienced school counselors at the top of the pay scale in Brookings earn between $67,505 and $82,368 per year (2026 est.). This $41,193 range from 10th to 90th percentile reflects significant earnings potential growth over a career. The Brookings median of $54,055 sits 15.98% below the US median.
Top SC, LSC Salary Comparison
| Level | Brookings | National |
|---|---|---|
| Median (P50) | $54,055 | $64,335 |
| 75th Percentile | $67,505 | $82,878 |
| 90th Percentile (Top 10%) | $82,368 | $104,780 |
In Brookings, experienced school counselors (P90) earn 52.38% more than the local median — reflecting the significant value of specialization and tenure in this market.
What Drives Top School Counselor Pay in Brookings
Advanced Certifications in South Dakota
SD school counselors with additional specialty certifications within the school counseling field earn significantly above the $54,055 median. Expanded-scope credentials are increasingly valued by Brookings employers.
Specialty Focus
School Counselors focusing on high-acuity or specialty areas within the school counseling field in Brookings command premium compensation, often reaching the $67,505–$82,368 range.
Large Health-System & Multi-Site Experience
Large hospital systems and multi-site employers in the Brookings metro area often pay above-market rates for experienced school counselors who demonstrate efficiency and leadership.
Employer Loyalty & Patient Relationships
Long-tenured school counselors in Brookings with established relationships have strong negotiating leverage. In this developing market, retention bonuses and annual raises are common for top performers.
Continuing Education & Leadership
School Counselors in South Dakota who pursue advanced degrees, mentor junior staff, or lead clinical education programs position themselves for the highest compensation tiers and management roles.
School Counselor Career & Wage Growth Path in Brookings
Clinical School Counselor
0-5 yearsSenior/Lead School Counselor
5-10 yearsSchool Counselor Department Manager
10+ yearsEducator / Specialty Leadership
AdvancedBrookings ranks #7 of 11 South Dakota cities for top earner school counselor salary (90th percentile: $82,368).
Top 10% school counselor compensation in Brookings ($82,368) is 20.27% above the South Dakota average P90 ($68,488).
2019 BLS Actual
$74,026
2025 BLS Actual
$80,713
2026 Current Est.
$82,368
2019–2027 Growth
+13.5%
Salary Trajectory for School Counselors in Brookings (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 2.05% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $74,026 | Actual |
| 2020 | $75,428 | Actual |
| 2021 | $75,644 | Actual |
| 2022 | $75,906 | Actual |
| 2023 | $77,077 | Actual |
| 2024 | $75,614 | Actual |
| 2025 | $80,713 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $82,368 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $84,056 | Projected |
Top-earning school counselors (90th percentile) in Brookings saw their compensation grow 9.0% from $74,026 in 2019 to $80,713 in 2025, based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for this metropolitan area. At a 2.05% annual growth rate, senior-level pay is projected to reach $84,056 by 2027, reflecting continued demand for clinical expertise and expanded-function credentials.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Brookings 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.
Maximizing Your School Counselor Earnings in Brookings
Senior school counselor pay in SD, particularly in Brookings, is influenced by various factors that contribute to salary differentiation. Counselors with specialized skills, including those experienced in college counseling, trauma-informed practices, or supporting English language learners, often command higher salaries. Employment in different types of schools further impacts compensation scenarios; for instance, K-12 public school districts typically follow a structured step-and-lane pay scale that considers education level and years of service. With the rising demand for school counselors, especially post-COVID, professional growth opportunities like lead counselor positions or district-level roles are becoming more prevalent. Additionally, obtaining advanced credentials, such as a Master’s degree from a CACREP-accredited program or state certifications, can lead to significant salary boosts. Non-salary compensation drivers, including extended contract roles and stipends for additional responsibilities, further enhance the financial prospects for senior school counselors in Brookings, ensuring that their expertise is adequately rewarded.
More salary data for Brookings, SD:
Frequently Asked Questions
How much do experienced school counselors make in Brookings in 2026?
What drives higher school counselor pay in Brookings?
What certifications boost school counselor salary in Brookings?
Can experienced school counselors make six figures in Brookings?
How much does school counselor salary increase over time in Brookings?
Related Pages
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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
Top-earner salary figures on this page are 2026 projections derived from the Bureau of Labor Statistics Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS) survey, May 2026 release. BLS reported a 90th percentile salary of $80,713 for school counselors in the Brookings metro area. A 2.05% compound annual growth rate (CAGR), calculated from 6-year national BLS wage trends, was applied to project current 2026 senior-level compensation. Individual earnings depend on certifications, specialization, practice type, and years of clinical experience.
Data Sources & Methodology
Salary data for Brookings 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