Masters in school counseling is ideal for working professionals who possess at least one year of professional experience in the field of health care, education or other related fields. It also provides an opportunity to upgrade skills and knowledge through advanced coursework as well as specialized study.
The starting salary for a school counselor with a Masters degree ranges from $39,000 to $55,000 per year for individuals new to the field. Individual states and school districts also set their own minimum requirements for school counselors, with some offering additional pay for education beyond the minimum degree requirement.
School Counseling Salary With Masters Overview
If you are looking to make a career in school counseling, there are a few things you should know before you get started. It may be tempting to start by applying for a job at your local public school, but it’s important to consider the potential salary and benefits of private schools before making your decision.
In addition to being able to earn more money, working at a private school can also give you access to additional resources that may not be available at a public institution. For example, many private schools offer opportunities for professional development and mentorship that may not be available at public schools. This means that you’ll have more opportunities for growth and advancement as you advance through your career!
Average Salary with a Masters in School Counseling
While many states only require a bachelor’s degree to begin working in the school counseling field, getting your master’s degree is undoubtedly one of the best ways to boost your salary and make you a more attractive candidate if you’re currently looking for a job. Though you may need to spend money to pay for this advanced education, even without grants and scholarships, a master’s degree in school counseling will pay for itself easily over the course of your career as a counselor.
Annual Compensation
With a master’s degree in school counseling, you can expect to earn an average of $50,000 annually. A number of factors determine the exact salary you’ll receive with this type of education. Some of these factors include your location, the level of student you counsel, whether you work for a private school or public school, and your experience. You can generally make more money if you live in a city (rather than in a more rural area), work with special-needs or high school students, get a job with a private school, and, of course, gain experience by working in the field over the course of several years. According to the Princeton Review, however, the starting salary you can expect is around $33,000, while experienced school counselors can make salaries approaching six figures.
Benefits for School Counselors
As a school counselor with a master’s degree, don’t forget that you’ll also likely receive offers that include benefits packages. A lower salary might be a better overall deal, when you consider other things, such as paid vacation days, retirement plans, medical and dental benefits, transportation reimbursement, and more. Sometimes, a lucrative benefits package can make up for a lower salary!
Make More Money as a School Counselor
Getting a masters in school counseling is just one of the things you can do to earn more money in this field. Specialization can also give you the opportunity to demand a higher salary, as can a duel masters degree in education, since many smaller schools are looking for counselors who can also help with curriculum development. Go where demand is highest if you want to make a higher salary, and consider getting involved with school activities, as many school districts pay counselors more to organize events such as parent-teacher conferences and open houses.
School Counselor Salary and Career Outlook
Careers in school counseling are some of the most unique and rewarding in public education. School counselors work with all of the stakeholders in the educational ecosystem to help create a culture of success, safety and learning for students, their families and the educational professionals that serve them.
Some of the primary responsibilities of a school counselor include:
- Providing social and emotional support for students in individual and group sessions.
- Aiding students with issues related to study skills and time management.
- Encouraging and fostering student strengths (both in and out of the classroom).
- Collaborating with families and other school faculty to address individual student needs.
- Helping students and families respond to crises.
- Identifying students’ social, behavioral or learning issues.
- Working as part of a child study team to develop and implement interventions for students with special needs and other at-risk students.
- Coordinating support services between school, home and outside agencies.
- Offering professional input on school and district policies.
This wide variety of responsibilities shows that becoming a school counselor is a career choice with the potential to make a positive difference every day.
How Much Do Counselors Make in Various Specialties?
Mental Health Counselor Salary and Projected Job Growth
According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, the mean annual wage for substance abuse counselors, behavioral disorder counselors and mental health counselors was $44,630 in 2018. Because of an increase in the number of individuals seeking addiction and mental health counseling, jobs in this field are expected to grow 23 percent through 26, which is much faster than average compared to all other occupations.1
The top-paying industries for substance abuse counselors, behavioral disorder counselors and mental health counselors are:
- Junior colleges: $63,760 annual mean wage
- Insurance carriers: $60,610 annual mean wage
- Agencies, brokerages, and insurance-related activities: $60,060 annual mean wage
- Colleges, universities, and professional schools: $56,270 annual mean wage
- Local government: $56,160 annual mean wage
School Counselor Salary and Projected Job Growth
The U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics reports a median annual salary of $56,310 per year in 2018 for school and career counselors. Employment in this field is expected to grow 23 percent through 2026, which is much faster than average compared to all occupations.3 School enrollment through 2027 is projected to increase 3 percent, driving the need for school counselors.4
The top-paying industries for school, educational, guidance and vocational counselors are:5
- Federal executive branch: $71,690 annual mean wage
- Computer systems design: $70,990 annual mean wage
- Elementary and secondary schools: $66,910 annual mean wage
- General medical and surgical hospitals: $69,170 annual mean wage
- Office administrative services: $65,110 annual mean wage
Marriage and Family Therapist Salary and Projected Job Growth
Marriage and family therapists made $50,090 per year in 2018 according to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics. As integrated care becomes more popular, jobs in this field are expected to grow 23 percent through 2026, which is much faster than average compared to all other occupations.6
Top-paying industries for marriage and family therapists include:
- State government: $69,080 annual mean wage
- Religious organizations: $65,790 annual mean wage
- General medical and surgical hospitals: $64,900 annual mean wage
- Employment services: $61,970 annual mean wage
- Local government: $61,100 annual mean wage
Get Creative: How to Increase Your Earning Potential as a Counselor
The above statistics reflect national averages. Salaries can vary greatly depending on your location, the size of the company or organization, years of expertise and the responsibilities of the position, among other factors.
For the greatest level of control over your income, you may want to consider going into private practice. As Anthony Centore, private practice consultant for the American Counseling Association, wrote, “I’ve found that with hard work and good planning, earning an income of $100,000 per year in private practice is an obtainable goal.”7
Take the Next Step in Your Counseling Career
If counseling is your calling, you need a master’s degree to set you on the path toward licensure. William & Mary offers a transformative Online Master of Education (M.Ed.) in Counseling with paths in Clinical Mental Health Counseling, Military and Veterans Counseling and School Counseling. Explore our curriculum and meet our illustrious faculty.
Educational, Guidance, and Career Counselors and Advisors
National data
Median Salary: $60,510
Projected job growth: 11.5%
10th Percentile: $37,550
25th Percentile: $47,390
75th Percentile: $77,210
90th Percentile: $98,190
State data
| State | Median Salary | Bottom 10% | Top 10% |
|---|---|---|---|
| Alaska | $61,510 | $39,000 | $98,480 |
| Alabama | $59,260 | $37,340 | $76,300 |
| Arkansas | $49,890 | $37,200 | $77,430 |
| Arizona | $49,430 | $38,350 | $77,250 |
| California | $76,310 | $47,730 | $125,590 |
| Colorado | $60,510 | $38,700 | $78,920 |
| Connecticut | $61,730 | $37,220 | $99,310 |
| District of Columbia | $63,340 | $38,700 | $97,760 |
| Delaware | $71,980 | $39,000 | $97,530 |
| Florida | $49,290 | $36,310 | $80,420 |
| Georgia | $60,250 | $36,910 | $96,270 |
| Hawaii | $62,250 | $48,520 | $97,040 |
| Iowa | $49,290 | $36,750 | $77,450 |
| Idaho | $48,560 | $37,340 | $76,490 |
| Illinois | $49,510 | $37,250 | $81,610 |
| Indiana | $49,340 | $36,740 | $76,740 |
| Kansas | $49,590 | $38,590 | $80,390 |
| Kentucky | $60,040 | $36,750 | $77,920 |
| Louisiana | $60,510 | $47,310 | $76,490 |
| Massachusetts | $74,780 | $47,550 | $103,570 |
| Maryland | $64,280 | $46,910 | $102,230 |
| Maine | $50,250 | $38,430 | $78,360 |
| Michigan | $49,300 | $36,910 | $80,390 |
| Minnesota | $58,160 | $39,380 | $80,420 |
| Missouri | $47,500 | $36,150 | $76,480 |
| Mississippi | $49,590 | $30,460 | $74,840 |
| Montana | $47,760 | $30,690 | $77,510 |
| North Carolina | $49,560 | $36,600 | $64,240 |
| North Dakota | $60,760 | $37,820 | $77,250 |
| Nebraska | $61,190 | $39,030 | $81,610 |
| New Hampshire | $48,680 | $36,340 | $76,950 |
| New Jersey | $76,630 | $48,820 | $100,920 |
| New Mexico | $60,510 | $38,430 | $84,390 |
| Nevada | $63,100 | $46,470 | $81,510 |
| New York | $61,660 | $38,430 | $123,990 |
| Ohio | $61,140 | $36,920 | $98,250 |
| Oklahoma | $49,300 | $29,390 | $77,510 |
| Oregon | $61,330 | $38,660 | $101,540 |
| Pennsylvania | $61,860 | $42,260 | $98,880 |
| Rhode Island | $61,280 | $38,700 | $98,480 |
| South Carolina | $49,130 | $33,430 | $79,110 |
| South Dakota | $47,760 | $36,660 | $61,730 |
| Tennessee | $49,980 | $30,810 | $77,920 |
| Texas | $61,100 | $37,340 | $78,360 |
| Utah | $48,520 | $31,200 | $78,030 |
| Virginia | $62,540 | $40,740 | $103,570 |
| Vermont | $59,360 | $38,860 | $78,850 |
| Washington | $75,780 | $48,820 | $103,570 |
| Wisconsin | $49,980 | $38,520 | $77,680 |
| West Virginia | $49,360 | $30,320 | $63,480 |
| Wyoming | $60,790 | $38,860 | $77,920 |
Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) 2021 median salary; projected job growth through 2030. Actual salaries vary depending on location, level of education, years of experience, work environment, and other factors. Salaries may differ even more for those who are self-employed or work part time.
What is my earning potential?
School counselors could earn over $98,190 per year according to the BLS, which reports that this is the median salary for the top 10% of professionals in the field.
