The following page shows the career & education requirements, salary and job outlook for a School Counseling around the country.
What We Do
A school counselor is responsible for helping students to develop social and academic skills in order to succeed in school. These professionals work in elementary, middle, and high school settings, with most of them having a specialization in one of those areas. They help address both behavioral and learning difficulties, as well as personal problems.
Work Environment
A school counselor will be usually be found in both public and private schools. They usually have their own office to allow for confidential conversations with the students.
How to Become a School Counseling
To become a school counselor, you will be expected to complete a master’s degree in school counseling. Additionally, you must have the relevant credentials as set by your state. During these educational programs, you will learn about conducting group and individual counseling, fostering academic development, working with community organizations, school staff, and parents, and using data for the development, implementation, and evaluation of full school counseling programs that all students can access. These include developing practicums or internships for students.
Training & Certification Requirements
To work as a counselor in a public school, you must have a state license to practice. Different states call this different things, so it could be an endorsement, a license, or a certification. Usually, you will need to have completed a master’s degree program in school counseling, as well as having completed a supervised practicum or internship with a licensed school counselor. There are states that require school counselors to have a teaching license, or to have one or two years of experience in classroom teaching. Additionally, you usually have to successfully undergo a criminal background check. The American School Counselor Association has listed the different requirements as they apply for each state. The National Board for Certified Counselors also holds details about the various state regulating boards.
School Counseling Related Job Titles
According to Indeed.com, the following career/job titles with salary figures are most closely related to School Counseling.
Career/Job Title | Average Salary |
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Public Aid Eligibility Assistant | $41,000 |
Office Specialist Opt | $47,000 |
Corrections Supply Supervisor | $59,000 |
Office Associate Opt | $42,000 |
Office Assistant Opt | $39,000 |
Voc Rehab Counselor | $38,000 |
Office Coordinator Opt | $41,000 |
Rehabilitation Case Coordinator | $41,000 |
Site Technician | $49,000 |
Behavioral Health Technician | $22,000 |
School Counseling Earning Potential
According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS), school counselors earned an average of $53,660 per year in 2015. The highest salaries are enjoyed by those who have been working in state, local, or private elementary and secondary schools ($61,260 per year), and the lowest by those who have been employed in community and vocational rehabilitation services ($36,970 per year).
School Counseling Job Outlook
The job outlook for school counselors is on par with the national average. According to the BLS, a growth in demand of 8% can be expected between the years of 2014 and 2024.
According to Indeed.com, the average national salary of jobs for School Counseling was $43,000.00 with a high confidence ranking based on over 250 sources. Average School Counseling salaries for job postings nationwide are 25% lower than average salaries for all job postings nationwide.
School Counseling Salary by State
The following lists School Counseling salaries in each state around the country. The figures are based on the total number of job postings by employers through Indeed.com. For example, DC had the largest quoted salary of $54,000 while Hawaii had the smallest quoted salary of $27,000.
Alaska – $32,000 (High Confidence (more than 250 sources)) |
Rank: 48th | ||||||||||
Average School Counseling salaries for job postings in Alaska are 26% lower than average School Counseling salaries for job postings nationwide. The average salary ranks 48th among states in the country. There were also job openings from employers like Maniilaq Association, Sunbelt Staffing, Juneau School District, and AmeriCorps. | |||||||||||
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Alabama – $44,000 (High Confidence (more than 250 sources)) |
Rank: 12th | ||||||||||
Average School Counseling salaries for job postings in Alabama are 1% higher than average School Counseling salaries for job postings nationwide. The average salary ranks 12th among states in the country. There were also job openings from employers like UAB Medicine, Dollar General, The Princeton Review, and CSL Behring. | |||||||||||
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Arkansas – $44,000 (High Confidence (more than 250 sources)) |
Rank: 13th | ||||||||||
Average School Counseling salaries for job postings in Arkansas are 2% higher than average School Counseling salaries for job postings nationwide. The average salary ranks 13th among states in the country. There were also job openings from employers like Dollar General, Arkansas Department of Human Services, Arkansas Federal Credit Union, and Regions Bank. | |||||||||||
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Arizona – $36,000 (High Confidence (more than 250 sources)) |
Rank: 42nd | ||||||||||
Average School Counseling salaries for job postings in Arizona are 18% lower than average School Counseling salaries for job postings nationwide. The average salary ranks 42nd among states in the country. There were also job openings from employers like Arizona’s Children Association, The Princeton Review, CSL Behring, and Washington Elementary School District #6. | |||||||||||
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California – $46,000 (High Confidence (more than 250 sources)) |
Rank: 8th | ||||||||||
Average School Counseling salaries for job postings in California are 7% higher than average School Counseling salaries for job postings nationwide. The average salary ranks 8th among states in the country. There were also job openings from employers like Sunbelt Staffing, Kaiser Permanente, The Princeton Review, and STARS Behavioral Health Group. | |||||||||||
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Colorado – $38,000 (High Confidence (more than 250 sources)) |
Rank: 34th | ||||||||||
Average School Counseling salaries for job postings in Colorado are 11% lower than average School Counseling salaries for job postings nationwide. The average salary ranks 34th among states in the country. There were also job openings from employers like The Princeton Review, Community Reach Center, Sunbelt Staffing, and CSL Behring. | |||||||||||
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Connecticut – $50,000 (High Confidence (more than 250 sources)) |
Rank: 4th | ||||||||||
Average School Counseling salaries for job postings in Connecticut are 15% higher than average School Counseling salaries for job postings nationwide. The average salary ranks 4th among states in the country. There were also job openings from employers like Wheeler Clinic, Mental Health Association of Connecticut, BHcare, and Webster Bank. | |||||||||||
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DC – $54,000 (High Confidence (more than 250 sources)) |
Rank: 1st | ||||||||||
Average School Counseling salaries for job postings in Washington, DC are 25% higher than average School Counseling salaries for job postings nationwide. The average salary ranks 1st among states in the country. There were also job openings from employers like The Princeton Review, AlliedBarton Security Services, Children’s School Services, and Harris Teeter. | |||||||||||
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Delaware – $38,000 (High Confidence (more than 250 sources)) |
Rank: 35th | ||||||||||
Average School Counseling salaries for job postings in Delaware are 12% lower than average School Counseling salaries for job postings nationwide. The average salary ranks 35th among states in the country. There were also job openings from employers like Dollar General, Dover Downs Hotel & Casino, Delaware Technical Community College, and The Princeton Review. | |||||||||||
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Florida – $40,000 (High Confidence (more than 250 sources)) |
Rank: 27th | ||||||||||
Average School Counseling salaries for job postings in Florida are 7% lower than average School Counseling salaries for job postings nationwide. The average salary ranks 27th among states in the country. There were also job openings from employers like Petro Services Inc., Dollar General, The Princeton Review, and Consulate Health Care. | |||||||||||
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Georgia – $49,000 (High Confidence (more than 250 sources)) |
Rank: 5th | ||||||||||
Average School Counseling salaries for job postings in Georgia are 14% higher than average School Counseling salaries for job postings nationwide. The average salary ranks 5th among states in the country. There were also job openings from employers like Dollar General, Sodexo Inc., InSearch Medical, and MIDWEST HOSPITALITY LLC. | |||||||||||
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Hawaii – $27,000 (High Confidence (more than 250 sources)) |
Rank: 51st | ||||||||||
Average School Counseling salaries for job postings in Hawaii are 38% lower than average School Counseling salaries for job postings nationwide. The average salary ranks 51st among states in the country. There were also job openings from employers like Hawaii State Judiciary, Aloha Petroleum, Sutter Health, and Hawaii Behavioral Health. | |||||||||||
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Iowa – $43,000 (High Confidence (more than 250 sources)) |
Rank: 16th | ||||||||||
Average School Counseling salaries for job postings in Iowa are 2% lower than average School Counseling salaries for job postings nationwide. The average salary ranks 16th among states in the country. There were also job openings from employers like Dollar General, Sequel Youth and Family Services, Care Initiatives, and AmeriCorps. | |||||||||||
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Idaho – $28,000 (High Confidence (more than 250 sources)) |
Rank: 50th | ||||||||||
Average School Counseling salaries for job postings in Idaho are 34% lower than average School Counseling salaries for job postings nationwide. The average salary ranks 50th among states in the country. There were also job openings from employers like Consulate Health Care, St. Luke’s Health System, Community Partnerships of Idaho, and Community Outreach Counseling. | |||||||||||
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Illinois – $49,000 (High Confidence (more than 250 sources)) |
Rank: 6th | ||||||||||
Average School Counseling salaries for job postings in Illinois are 13% higher than average School Counseling salaries for job postings nationwide. The average salary ranks 6th among states in the country. There were also job openings from employers like Dollar General, Sunbelt Staffing, UNO Charter School Network, and Chicago Public Schools. | |||||||||||
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Indiana – $42,000 (High Confidence (more than 250 sources)) |
Rank: 20th | ||||||||||
Average School Counseling salaries for job postings in Indiana are 4% lower than average School Counseling salaries for job postings nationwide. The average salary ranks 20th among states in the country. There were also job openings from employers like Dollar General, The Princeton Review, Franciscan St. Elizabeth Health, and Churchs Chicken. | |||||||||||
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Kansas – $40,000 (High Confidence (more than 250 sources)) |
Rank: 28th | ||||||||||
Average School Counseling salaries for job postings in Kansas are 9% lower than average School Counseling salaries for job postings nationwide. The average salary ranks 28th among states in the country. There were also job openings from employers like Dollar General, Kansas City, Kansas Public Schools, Unlisted Company, and Prime Lending. | |||||||||||
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Kentucky – $37,000 (High Confidence (more than 250 sources)) |
Rank: 41st | ||||||||||
Average School Counseling salaries for job postings in Kentucky are 14% lower than average School Counseling salaries for job postings nationwide. The average salary ranks 41st among states in the country. There were also job openings from employers like Dollar General, Erigo Employer Solutions, CSL Behring, and Republic Bank. | |||||||||||
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Louisiana – $39,000 (High Confidence (more than 250 sources)) |
Rank: 31st | ||||||||||
Average School Counseling salaries for job postings in Louisiana are 11% lower than average School Counseling salaries for job postings nationwide. The average salary ranks 31st among states in the country. There were also job openings from employers like Dollar General, The Princeton Review, Louisiana State Government, and Lane Regional Medical Center. | |||||||||||
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Massachusetts – $52,000 (High Confidence (more than 250 sources)) |
Rank: 2nd | ||||||||||
Average School Counseling salaries for job postings in Massachusetts are 20% higher than average School Counseling salaries for job postings nationwide. The average salary ranks 2nd among states in the country. There were also job openings from employers like McLean Hospital(MCL), South Bay Community Services, LAHEY CLINIC, and Lahey Health Behavioral Services. | |||||||||||
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Maryland – $45,000 (High Confidence (more than 250 sources)) |
Rank: 9th | ||||||||||
Average School Counseling salaries for job postings in Maryland are 3% higher than average School Counseling salaries for job postings nationwide. The average salary ranks 9th among states in the country. There were also job openings from employers like The Princeton Review, Johns Hopkins University, George Washington University, and CSL Behring. | |||||||||||
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Maine – $38,000 (High Confidence (more than 250 sources)) |
Rank: 36th | ||||||||||
Average School Counseling salaries for job postings in Maine are 12% lower than average School Counseling salaries for job postings nationwide. The average salary ranks 36th among states in the country. There were also job openings from employers like Sweetser, Maine Behavioral Healthcare, MCD Communities, and Pathways. | |||||||||||
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Michigan – $44,000 (High Confidence (more than 250 sources)) |
Rank: 14th | ||||||||||
Average School Counseling salaries for job postings in Michigan are 1% higher than average School Counseling salaries for job postings nationwide. The average salary ranks 14th among states in the country. There were also job openings from employers like The Princeton Review, SpartanNash, Dollar General, and CSL Behring. | |||||||||||
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Minnesota – $38,000 (High Confidence (more than 250 sources)) |
Rank: 37th | ||||||||||
Average School Counseling salaries for job postings in Minnesota are 13% lower than average School Counseling salaries for job postings nationwide. The average salary ranks 37th among states in the country. There were also job openings from employers like Burger King | Independent Franchisees, Allina Health, The Princeton Review, and Sunbelt Staffing. | |||||||||||
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Missouri – $43,000 (High Confidence (more than 250 sources)) |
Rank: 17th | ||||||||||
Average School Counseling salaries for job postings in Missouri are 2% lower than average School Counseling salaries for job postings nationwide. The average salary ranks 17th among states in the country. There were also job openings from employers like Dollar General, Lutheran Senior Services, The Princeton Review, and CSL Behring. | |||||||||||
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Mississippi – $45,000 (High Confidence (more than 250 sources)) |
Rank: 10th | ||||||||||
Average School Counseling salaries for job postings in Mississippi are 5% higher than average School Counseling salaries for job postings nationwide. The average salary ranks 10th among states in the country. There were also job openings from employers like Dollar General, STG International, CSL Behring, and State of Mississippi. | |||||||||||
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Montana – $36,000 (High Confidence (more than 250 sources)) |
Rank: 43rd | ||||||||||
Average School Counseling salaries for job postings in Montana are 17% lower than average School Counseling salaries for job postings nationwide. The average salary ranks 43rd among states in the country. There were also job openings from employers like St. Vincent Healthcare, Billings, MT, Frazer School District, St. James Healthcare, Butte, MT, and Welcov Healthcare. | |||||||||||
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North Carolina – $41,000 (High Confidence (more than 250 sources)) |
Rank: 25th | ||||||||||
Average School Counseling salaries for job postings in North Carolina are 5% lower than average School Counseling salaries for job postings nationwide. The average salary ranks 25th among states in the country. There were also job openings from employers like Dollar General, The Princeton Review, Carolinas HealthCare System, and Duke University and Duke University Health System. | |||||||||||
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North Dakota – $38,000 (High Confidence (more than 250 sources)) |
Rank: 38th | ||||||||||
Average School Counseling salaries for job postings in North Dakota are 11% lower than average School Counseling salaries for job postings nationwide. The average salary ranks 38th among states in the country. There were also job openings from employers like STG International, Sanford Health, Burger King | Independent Franchisees, and Palm Beach Tan – Northern States, A Palm Beach Tan Franchisee. | |||||||||||
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Nebraska – $32,000 (High Confidence (more than 250 sources)) |
Rank: 49th | ||||||||||
Average School Counseling salaries for job postings in Nebraska are 27% lower than average School Counseling salaries for job postings nationwide. The average salary ranks 49th among states in the country. There were also job openings from employers like The Nebraska Medical Center, Catholic Health Initiatives, Dollar General, and State of Nebraska. | |||||||||||
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New Hampshire – $43,000 (High Confidence (more than 250 sources)) |
Rank: 18th | ||||||||||
Average School Counseling salaries for job postings in New Hampshire are 1% lower than average School Counseling salaries for job postings nationwide. The average salary ranks 18th among states in the country. There were also job openings from employers like Panera Bread (PR Restaurants), Dollar General, PR Management Corp. dba Panera Bread, and Hannaford. | |||||||||||
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New Jersey – $47,000 (High Confidence (more than 250 sources)) |
Rank: 7th | ||||||||||
Average School Counseling salaries for job postings in New Jersey are 8% higher than average School Counseling salaries for job postings nationwide. The average salary ranks 7th among states in the country. There were also job openings from employers like The Princeton Review, MENTOR NETWORK, Catholic Charities – Diocese of Trenton, and New Jersey MENTOR. | |||||||||||
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New Mexico – $38,000 (High Confidence (more than 250 sources)) |
Rank: 39th | ||||||||||
Average School Counseling salaries for job postings in New Mexico are 13% lower than average School Counseling salaries for job postings nationwide. The average salary ranks 39th among states in the country. There were also job openings from employers like Clayton Nursing & Rehabilitation Center, Desert Springs Nursing & Rehabilitation Center, San Pedro Nursing and Rehabilitation Center, and Silver City Care Center. | |||||||||||
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Nevada – $33,000 (High Confidence (more than 250 sources)) |
Rank: 46th | ||||||||||
Average School Counseling salaries for job postings in Nevada are 24% lower than average School Counseling salaries for job postings nationwide. The average salary ranks 46th among states in the country. There were also job openings from employers like University of Phoenix, Sunbelt Staffing, Walmart, and Supreme Lending. | |||||||||||
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New York – $52,000 (High Confidence (more than 250 sources)) |
Rank: 3rd | ||||||||||
Average School Counseling salaries for job postings in New York State are 21% higher than average School Counseling salaries for job postings nationwide. The average salary ranks 3rd among states in the country. There were also job openings from employers like Northwell Health, The Princeton Review, Mount Sinai Health System, and Price Chopper. | |||||||||||
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Ohio – $42,000 (High Confidence (more than 250 sources)) |
Rank: 21st | ||||||||||
Average School Counseling salaries for job postings in Ohio are 4% lower than average School Counseling salaries for job postings nationwide. The average salary ranks 21st among states in the country. There were also job openings from employers like Dollar General, The Princeton Review, CSL Behring, and Buffalo Wild Wings. | |||||||||||
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Oklahoma – $40,000 (High Confidence (more than 250 sources)) |
Rank: 29th | ||||||||||
Average School Counseling salaries for job postings in Oklahoma are 8% lower than average School Counseling salaries for job postings nationwide. The average salary ranks 29th among states in the country. There were also job openings from employers like Dollar General, CSL Behring, Windsor Hills Nursing Center, and A Member of Ascension Health. | |||||||||||
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Oregon – $42,000 (High Confidence (more than 250 sources)) |
Rank: 22nd | ||||||||||
Average School Counseling salaries for job postings in Oregon are 3% lower than average School Counseling salaries for job postings nationwide. The average salary ranks 22nd among states in the country. There were also job openings from employers like State of Oregon, Yakima Valley Farm Workers Clinic, Mount Sinai Health System, and Options Counseling and Family Services. | |||||||||||
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Pennsylvania – $42,000 (High Confidence (more than 250 sources)) |
Rank: 23rd | ||||||||||
Average School Counseling salaries for job postings in Pennsylvania are 4% lower than average School Counseling salaries for job postings nationwide. The average salary ranks 23rd among states in the country. There were also job openings from employers like The Princeton Review, Dollar General, Family Behavioral Resources, and NHS Human Services. | |||||||||||
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Rhode Island – $39,000 (High Confidence (more than 250 sources)) |
Rank: 32nd | ||||||||||
Average School Counseling salaries for job postings in Rhode Island are 9% lower than average School Counseling salaries for job postings nationwide. The average salary ranks 32nd among states in the country. There were also job openings from employers like The Providence Community Health Centers, Inc., Lifespan, AmeriCorps, and Sunbelt Staffing. | |||||||||||
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South Carolina – $43,000 (High Confidence (more than 250 sources)) |
Rank: 19th | ||||||||||
Average School Counseling salaries for job postings in South Carolina are 1% lower than average School Counseling salaries for job postings nationwide. The average salary ranks 19th among states in the country. There were also job openings from employers like Dollar General, State of South Carolina, The Princeton Review, and Sunbelt Staffing. | |||||||||||
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South Dakota – $33,000 (High Confidence (more than 250 sources)) |
Rank: 47th | ||||||||||
Average School Counseling salaries for job postings in South Dakota are 25% lower than average School Counseling salaries for job postings nationwide. The average salary ranks 47th among states in the country. There were also job openings from employers like WR Hospitality, Sanford Health, Unlisted Company, and SpartanNash. | |||||||||||
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Tennessee – $40,000 (High Confidence (more than 250 sources)) |
Rank: 30th | ||||||||||
Average School Counseling salaries for job postings in Tennessee are 7% lower than average School Counseling salaries for job postings nationwide. The average salary ranks 30th among states in the country. There were also job openings from employers like Dollar General, The Princeton Review, CSL Behring, and Metro Nashville Public Schools. | |||||||||||
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Texas – $42,000 (High Confidence (more than 250 sources)) |
Rank: 24th | ||||||||||
Average School Counseling salaries for job postings in Texas are 3% lower than average School Counseling salaries for job postings nationwide. The average salary ranks 24th among states in the country. There were also job openings from employers like Dollar General, Baylor Scott & White Health, CSL Behring, and The Princeton Review. | |||||||||||
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Utah – $34,000 (High Confidence (more than 250 sources)) |
Rank: 45th | ||||||||||
Average School Counseling salaries for job postings in Utah are 22% lower than average School Counseling salaries for job postings nationwide. The average salary ranks 45th among states in the country. There were also job openings from employers like AlliedBarton Security Services, Tooele County School District, University of Phoenix, and Lone Star Tan, A Palm Beach Tan Franchisee. | |||||||||||
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Virginia – $44,000 (High Confidence (more than 250 sources)) |
Rank: 15th | ||||||||||
Average School Counseling salaries for job postings in Virginia are 1% higher than average School Counseling salaries for job postings nationwide. The average salary ranks 15th among states in the country. There were also job openings from employers like The Princeton Review, Family Preservation Services of Virginia, Dollar General, and Richmond Public Schools. | |||||||||||
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Vermont – $38,000 (High Confidence (more than 250 sources)) |
Rank: 40th | ||||||||||
Average School Counseling salaries for job postings in Vermont are 12% lower than average School Counseling salaries for job postings nationwide. The average salary ranks 40th among states in the country. There were also job openings from employers like Washington County Mental Health Services Inc., Northwestern Counseling, AmeriCorps, and Counseling Service of Addison County, Inc.. | |||||||||||
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Washington – $45,000 (High Confidence (more than 250 sources)) |
Rank: 11th | ||||||||||
Average School Counseling salaries for job postings in Washington State are 3% higher than average School Counseling salaries for job postings nationwide. The average salary ranks 11th among states in the country. There were also job openings from employers like Seattle Public Schools, Sunbelt Staffing, Yakima Valley Farm Workers Clinic, and State of Washington. | |||||||||||
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Wisconsin – $39,000 (High Confidence (more than 250 sources)) |
Rank: 33rd | ||||||||||
Average School Counseling salaries for job postings in Wisconsin are 11% lower than average School Counseling salaries for job postings nationwide. The average salary ranks 33rd among states in the country. There were also job openings from employers like Madison Area Technical College, UW Medical Foundation, Sunbelt Staffing, and Dollar General. | |||||||||||
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West Virginia – $41,000 (High Confidence (more than 250 sources)) |
Rank: 26th | ||||||||||
Average School Counseling salaries for job postings in West Virginia are 6% lower than average School Counseling salaries for job postings nationwide. The average salary ranks 26th among states in the country. There were also job openings from employers like Dollar General, Buffalo Wild Wings, The Princeton Review, and State of West Virginia. | |||||||||||
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Wyoming – $36,000 (High Confidence (more than 250 sources)) |
Rank: 44th | ||||||||||
Average School Counseling salaries for job postings in Wyoming are 17% lower than average School Counseling salaries for job postings nationwide. The average salary ranks 44th among states in the country. There were also job openings from employers like Natural Grocers, Campbell County Memorial Hospital, Wyoming Behavioral Institute, and Ivinson Memorial Hospital. | |||||||||||
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