School Counselor Salary in Florence, AZ: $51,233 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time school counselor in Florence, AZ earns a median $51,233/year (≈ $24.63/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 21-1012). Once you factor in Florence's price level (1% below national, BEA RPP 98.5), that paycheck buys what $52,013 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 2.4% below the Arizona state average.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
In 2026, school counselors in Florence, Arizona, are projected to earn a median annual salary of $51,233, significantly lower than the national median of $64,335. Local estimates indicate a salary range from $35,582 at the 10th percentile to $79,411 at the 90th percentile. The salary structure for counselors in Florence typically follows the step-and-lane pay system similar to that of teachers, wherein education and years of experience influence compensation levels. Given the competitive landscape for school counseling positions—especially with the recent mental health funding increases aimed at addressing the post-COVID crisis—the salaries reflect both a commitment to student support and the challenges of attracting qualified professionals in a market with varying pay scales.
About the Florence Market
Salary estimated from Arizona average ($62,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $35,582 | $17.10 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $40,049 | $19.26 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $51,233 | $24.63 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $64,496 | $31.00 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $79,411 | $38.18 |
Median Salary Position
20.37% below the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Florence
In Florence, AZ, the school counselor salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $43,829 (2026 est.). At $51,233, the local median is 20.37% below the national median of $64,335.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in Florence: You'd be in the lower-middle range
How Florence School Counselor Pay Compares
Florence median: $51,233/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Florence Pays |
|---|---|---|
| Arizona Average | $52,493 | -2.40% less |
| National Average | $64,335 | -20.37% less |
School Counselors in Florence, AZ earn a median of $51,233 per year (2026 est.), which is 20.37% lower than the national median of $64,335 and 2.40% below the Arizona state average of $52,493.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Florence has a cost of living 1.50% below the national average, meaning your salary goes further here.
Adjusted salary = nominal × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average.
Florence, AZ has a cost-of-living index of 98.5 (below the national average of 100). A school counselor earning $51,233 nominally has purchasing power equivalent to $52,013 in an average-cost city — an effective 1.52% boost.
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2019 BLS Actual
$44,515
2025 BLS Actual
$50,204
2026 Current Est.
$51,233
2019–2027 Growth
+17.5%
Salary Trajectory for School Counselors in Florence (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 2.05% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $44,515 | Actual |
| 2020 | $45,358 | Actual |
| 2021 | $47,223 | Actual |
| 2022 | $46,934 | Actual |
| 2023 | $48,159 | Actual |
| 2024 | $59,615 | Actual |
| 2025 | $50,204 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $51,233 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $52,283 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Florence metropolitan area, the median school counselor salary grew 12.8% from $44,515 (2019) to $50,204 (2025). At a 2.05% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $52,283 by 2027 — a total increase of $7,768 (17.45%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Florence 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.
Salary by Experience Level
| Experience | Estimated Salary Range |
|---|---|
| 0-2 years (New Graduate) | $35,582 – $40,049 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $40,049 – $51,233 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $51,233 – $64,496 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $64,496 – $79,411 |
SC, LSC salary ranges estimated from BLS percentile data. Individual school counselor compensation varies by employer, certifications, and specialization.
School Counselor Job Market in Florence
Local job opportunities for school counselors in Florence remain modest, with only five positions currently filled. The cost of living index in the area stands at 98.5, slightly below the national average, which can affect disposable income and overall purchasing power. Among the various educational institutions, K-12 public school districts typically offer the highest salaries compared to charter and private schools, largely due to established funding and a structured pay scale system. Variations in counselor pay often stem from educational attainment—those with master's +30 credits or doctoral degrees may achieve higher pay brackets. Additionally, counselors can enhance their earnings through stipends for roles such as department heads or club advisors. Understanding these dynamics is crucial for professionals navigating their careers in Florence as they consider how much school counselors make in Florence and seek ways to maximize their compensation.
More salary data for Florence, AZ:
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
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 BLS reported a median annual salary of $50,204 for school counselorsin the Florence metropolitan area. A 2.05% compound annual growth rate (CAGR), calculated from 6-year national BLS wage trends, was applied to project current 2026 compensation. Percentile ranges (P10–P90) represent the full salary distribution across experience levels and practice settings in this market.
Data Sources & Methodology
Salary data for Florence 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