Student support
Elementary School Counselor
Provides social-emotional support and guidance to elementary students
School counselors earn a median of $64,330 a year nationally ($71,430 on average), according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics' May 2025 survey of 353,310 educational, guidance, and career counselors. The state median runs from $51,830 in South Dakota to $86,500 in California, and because most counselors are paid on the teacher salary schedule plus a longer contract, experience and degree level move pay substantially. The table below has every state.
- Pay range
- $52,000–$87,000
- Median
- $64,330
- Education
- Master's degree
- Job outlook
- Growing
Salary by state
Nationally, school counselors earn a median of $64,330 a year ($71,430 mean, 353,310 employed). Pay ranges from $86,500 in California to $51,830 in South Dakota. Figures are annual median wages for all school counselors in the state, across every grade level and district type.
| State | Median | Mean | Employed |
|---|---|---|---|
| United States | $64,330 | $71,430 | 353,310 |
| California | $86,500 | $93,610 | 45,140 |
| Alaska | $82,900 | $79,910 | 540 |
| Washington | $82,670 | $87,680 | 6,610 |
| District of Columbia | $80,470 | $82,700 | 1,690 |
| Massachusetts | $79,930 | $85,660 | 11,460 |
| New Jersey | $77,910 | $81,430 | 8,190 |
| New Mexico | $77,880 | $75,480 | 1,780 |
| Maryland | $75,820 | $78,920 | 6,600 |
| Rhode Island | $75,000 | $75,730 | 1,340 |
| Delaware | $74,070 | $72,490 | 1,700 |
| Connecticut | $73,910 | $75,730 | 3,370 |
| New York | $71,610 | $77,210 | 23,380 |
| New Hampshire | $71,080 | $71,400 | 1,650 |
| Texas | $67,900 | $69,940 | 31,730 |
| Virginia | $67,660 | $71,920 | 9,450 |
| Nevada | $66,710 | $68,740 | 2,250 |
| Oregon | $66,690 | $77,070 | 3,990 |
| Colorado | $64,780 | $69,470 | 6,530 |
| Minnesota | $64,600 | $69,080 | 4,200 |
| Vermont | $64,570 | $68,260 | 1,120 |
| Kentucky | $64,350 | $65,740 | 5,030 |
| Georgia | $63,720 | $68,410 | 11,460 |
| Wyoming | $63,430 | $67,580 | 770 |
| Wisconsin | $62,690 | $66,440 | 5,330 |
| Nebraska | $62,500 | $68,570 | 2,190 |
| Illinois | $62,420 | $70,230 | 13,580 |
| Louisiana | $61,870 | $63,910 | 4,820 |
| Ohio | $61,760 | $67,200 | 13,250 |
| Hawaii | $61,730 | $68,650 | 1,620 |
| Utah | $61,320 | $66,970 | 4,070 |
| Pennsylvania | $60,880 | $67,110 | 13,570 |
| South Carolina | $60,340 | $62,000 | 6,460 |
| Idaho | $60,320 | $62,800 | 1,990 |
| Tennessee | $59,960 | $61,020 | 6,470 |
| Arkansas | $59,770 | $59,370 | 2,310 |
| Alabama | $59,570 | $59,540 | 4,410 |
| Michigan | $59,440 | $62,900 | 9,170 |
| Indiana | $59,260 | $61,000 | 5,610 |
| North Dakota | $58,960 | $61,790 | 840 |
| Mississippi | $58,710 | $57,380 | 2,620 |
| Maine | $58,630 | $61,230 | 1,780 |
| Arizona | $58,250 | $61,270 | 7,330 |
| Missouri | $58,040 | $59,160 | 8,890 |
| Montana | $57,900 | $63,130 | 890 |
| North Carolina | $57,630 | $56,710 | 9,430 |
| Kansas | $56,590 | $58,560 | 3,100 |
| Iowa | $56,540 | $58,190 | 3,690 |
| West Virginia | $55,520 | $55,100 | 1,260 |
| Florida | $53,140 | $58,380 | 22,800 |
| Oklahoma | $52,040 | $56,830 | 4,830 |
| South Dakota | $51,830 | $53,980 | 1,000 |
Source: BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, May 2025, occupation code 211012. Rows at or above the national median are shaded.
What affects your pay
- State. Counselors are typically paid on the district's certified salary schedule, so state education funding sets the baseline — the top five states pay: California ($86,500), Alaska ($82,900), Washington ($82,670), the District of Columbia ($80,470), Massachusetts ($79,930).
- Contract length. Many districts give counselors a longer contract than teachers (10-11 months instead of 9-10) to cover registration and scheduling; that alone can add 5-10% to base pay.
- Years of experience and degree. A master's degree is required, which starts counselors on a higher lane than bachelor's-only teachers; steps for experience then add 2-4% a year for the first 10-15 years.
- District. Within a state, suburban and large urban districts often pay $10,000-$20,000 more than small rural districts. In Illinois the statewide median is $62,420, with collar-county districts well above it.
- Level. Elementary counselors and high school counselors are usually on the same schedule, but high school counseling posts sometimes carry extra-duty stipends for college advising and testing coordination.
- Sector. Private and charter schools often pay less than public districts for counselors; colleges and career centers (included in the BLS figures) pay differently again.
What you'll do
- Provide individual and group counseling to students
- Teach classroom lessons on social skills and emotional regulation
- Support students with behavioral challenges
- Collaborate with teachers and parents on student needs
- Coordinate crisis intervention and safety planning
- Maintain confidential student records
A typical day
- Individual counseling sessions with students
- Small group social skills sessions
- Classroom guidance lessons
- Parent and teacher consultations
- IEP and 504 plan meetings
- Crisis response and intervention
- Documentation and case notes
Education & certification path
- Bachelor's degree in Psychology, Education, or related field
- Master's degree in School Counseling
- Complete internship in school setting
- Pass state counselor licensure exam
Required certifications
- State school counselor license
- National Certified School Counselor (optional)
- Crisis Prevention Intervention training
- Mandated reporter certification
Career progression
- Counseling Intern → School Counselor
- Lead Counselor or Department Head
- District Counseling Coordinator
- Director of Student Services
Where and when you'll work
- Work environment
- Counseling office with private space for individual sessions, group room for activities
- Typical schedule
- 7:30 AM - 4:00 PM during school year, some evening parent meetings
Frequently asked questions
How much do school counselors make?
School counselors make a median of $64,330 a year nationally, with a mean of $71,430, according to BLS May 2025 data for educational, guidance, and career counselors. By state, the median ranges from $51,830 in South Dakota to $86,500 in California. Experienced counselors with a longer contract in high-paying districts commonly earn $90,000 or more.
Which states pay school counselors the most?
The highest-paying states for school and career counselors are California ($86,500), Alaska ($82,900), Washington ($82,670), the District of Columbia ($80,470), Massachusetts ($79,930), New Jersey ($77,910). The lowest are Florida ($53,140), Oklahoma ($52,040), South Dakota ($51,830).
How much do guidance counselors make compared to teachers?
Guidance counselor is an older name for the same job. Counselors are paid on the same salary schedule as teachers in most districts, but they must hold a master's degree — which places them on a higher lane — and often work a longer contract, so their pay typically runs 10-20% above a teacher with the same years of experience.
How much do school counselors make in Illinois?
In Illinois, school counselors earn a median of $62,420 a year (mean $70,230), with about 13,580 employed statewide. Pay is highest in suburban Cook, DuPage and Lake County districts and lowest in small downstate districts.
What degree do you need to be a school counselor?
A master's degree in school counseling (or a closely related counseling program with a school-counseling track) plus a state school counselor license or endorsement. Most programs take two years and include a supervised practicum and internship in a school; a teaching license is not required in most states.