Entry-Level School Counselor Salary in Jackson, TN: $36,474 (2026)
Quick Answer:New school counselors entering the Jackson, TN job market in 2026 can expect a starting salary around $36,474 (BLS 10th-percentile benchmark for SOC 21-1012, projected from 2025 OEWS data). Stripping out Jackson's local price level (BEA RPP 85.5 — 14% below national), a first-year paycheck buys what $42,649 would in average-cost America. Most reach the city median ($55,405) within a few years of clinical practice.
Official BLS data · View source
New graduates entering the field of school counseling in Jackson, TN, can expect to start their careers with a salary around $36,474, which reflects their position among early-career professionals. This figure is significantly below the median annual salary of $55,405 for all school counselors in the city, illustrating the journey that new counselors will face as they seek to build their skills and gain experience. Over the first few years of service, entry-level school counselors can look forward to moderate salary growth, progressing from benches like $43,174 at the 25th percentile and potentially reaching the median as they gain confidence and expertise in their roles. Given the growth rate of 2.05%, coupled with the expanding demand for counselors post-COVID, Jackson presents a promising job market for new grads to establish their careers.
Career Earnings Timeline in Jackson
New Graduate
Early Career
Mid Career
Experienced
Salary progression estimated from BLS percentile data. Actual progression varies by employer, certifications, and specialization.
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Jackson
Entry-level school counselors in Jackson, TN typically start between $36,474 and $43,174 per year (2026 est.). The full salary range spans $33,853 from the 10th to 90th percentile, with the local median at $55,405 — 13.88% below the national median.
Return on Investment
The average school counseling program cost in Tennessee of $40,000 represents just 109.67% of the starting school counselor pay ($36,474/year) in Jackson. Most graduates begin earning back their investment from day one, though actual ROI varies based on living expenses, loan interest, and the 2-year opportunity cost of schooling.
Program cost estimates based on CACREP-accredited master's programs in school counseling. In-state public institutions are the lowest-cost option; private universities carry higher tuition. Totals reflect tuition and required fees; practicum and internship hours are typically unpaid and add opportunity cost. State licensure requirements may mandate additional coursework.
SC, LSC Salary Negotiation Tips for New Graduates in Jackson
- 1Research the Jackson market: entry-level school counselor pay ranges from $36,474 to $43,174, so aim for at least the 25th percentile if you have strong credentials.
- 2Highlight any additional certifications or specialty training within the school counseling field — employers in TN often pay a premium for expanded scope of work.
- 3Evaluate the full compensation package — in Jackson, benefits like health insurance, continuing-education allowances, and schedule flexibility can add 20-30% to your effective compensation.
- 4Consider starting with a larger hospital system or multi-site employer in Jackson for competitive entry-level pay and structured mentorship, then move to a smaller employer once you have 2-3 years of experience.
- 5Jackson's below-average cost of living means your starting salary goes further here compared to many larger metro areas.
School Counselor Compensation Range
The school counselor wage spread in Jackson is $33,853 ( 92.81%) between entry-level and top earners. Starting at $36,474, experienced hygienists can earn up to $70,327.
Represents the current salary spread across experience levels, not projected career growth rate.
2019 BLS Actual
$29,060
2025 BLS Actual
$35,741
2026 Current Est.
$36,474
2019–2027 Growth
+28.1%
Salary Trajectory for School Counselors in Jackson (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 2.05% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $29,060 | Actual |
| 2020 | $30,890 | Actual |
| 2021 | $22,100 | Actual |
| 2022 | $35,670 | Actual |
| 2023 | $35,210 | Actual |
| 2024 | $36,100 | Actual |
| 2025 | $35,741 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $36,474 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $37,221 | Projected |
Entry-level school counselor compensation (10th percentile) in Jackson, TN grew 23.0% over 7 years based on actual BLS metropolitan area surveys, rising from $29,060 in 2019 to $35,741 in 2025. By 2027, starting salaries are projected to reach $37,221. New graduates entering the Jackson job market can expect continued year-over-year gains.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Jackson 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.
Starting Your school counseling Career in Jackson
In Jackson, several school districts serve as primary employers for newly minted school counselors. Typically, public school districts offer structured salary schedules based on a step-and-lane system, which mirrors that of teachers and rewards experience and continuing education credits. Charter networks also hire school counselors; while they may offer a competitive starting school counselor salary, often there are no tenure benefits. Credentials such as a master's degree in school counseling from a CACREP-accredited program and state licensure are essential, with many positions requiring passing scores on examinations. The ASCA's recommended counselor-to-student ratio of 1:250 highlights the potential for high caseloads, with the average often being 1:385, emphasizing the growing need for mental health support in schools. For those in their first three years, realistic salary advancements rely heavily on staying current with certifications and efficiently navigating the K-12 pay structure.
More salary data for Jackson, TN:
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
Entry-level 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 10th percentile (entry-level) is used as the starting salary benchmark for new school counseling graduates. A 2.05% compound annual growth rate (CAGR), derived from 6-year national BLS wage trends, was applied to project current 2026 entry-level compensation in Jackson. Program costs are averages and actual tuition varies by institution. ROI calculations are simplified estimates.
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