School Counselor Salary in Marana, AZ: $52,922 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time school counselor in Marana, AZ earns a median $52,922/year (≈ $25.44/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 21-1012). Once you factor in Marana's price level (1% below national, BEA RPP 98.5), that paycheck buys what $53,728 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 0.8% above the Arizona state average.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
In 2026, school counselors in Marana, Arizona, can expect a median annual salary of $52,922, which reflects a significant discrepancy when compared to the national median of $64,335. The local salary range varies widely, from $36,627 at the 10th percentile to $82,029 at the 90th percentile, highlighting the impact of factors such as experience and educational credentials within the K-12 step-and-lane salary scale. These projections derive from state-level data and adjustments based on regional cost of living, pointing to a dynamic job market in Marana. For counselors considering their financial future, particularly those with advanced degrees, understanding their placement in this scale will be crucial for maximizing compensation.
About the Marana Market
Salary estimated from Arizona average ($62,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $36,627 | $17.61 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $41,526 | $19.96 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $52,922 | $25.44 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $67,299 | $32.36 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $82,029 | $39.43 |
Median Salary Position
17.74% below the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Marana
In Marana, AZ, the school counselor salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $45,402 (2026 est.). At $52,922, the local median is 17.74% below the national median of $64,335.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in Marana: You'd be in the lower-middle range
How Marana School Counselor Pay Compares
Marana median: $52,922/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Marana Pays |
|---|---|---|
| Arizona Average | $52,502 | +0.80% more |
| National Average | $64,335 | -17.74% less |
School Counselors in Marana, AZ earn a median of $52,922 per year (2026 est.), which is 17.74% lower than the national median of $64,335 and 0.80% above the Arizona state average of $52,502.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Marana 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.
Marana, AZ has a cost-of-living index of 98.5 (below the national average of 100). A school counselor earning $52,922 nominally has purchasing power equivalent to $53,728 in an average-cost city — an effective 1.52% boost.
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2019 BLS Actual
$45,982
2025 BLS Actual
$51,859
2026 Current Est.
$52,922
2019–2027 Growth
+17.5%
Salary Trajectory for School Counselors in Marana (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 2.05% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $45,982 | Actual |
| 2020 | $46,853 | Actual |
| 2021 | $48,780 | Actual |
| 2022 | $48,481 | Actual |
| 2023 | $49,747 | Actual |
| 2024 | $61,579 | Actual |
| 2025 | $51,859 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $52,922 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $54,007 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Marana metropolitan area, the median school counselor salary grew 12.8% from $45,982 (2019) to $51,859 (2025). At a 2.05% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $54,007 by 2027 — a total increase of $8,025 (17.45%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Marana 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) | $36,627 – $41,526 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $41,526 – $52,922 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $52,922 – $67,299 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $67,299 – $82,029 |
SC, LSC salary ranges estimated from BLS percentile data. Individual school counselor compensation varies by employer, certifications, and specialization.
School Counselor Job Market in Marana
In Marana, a total of seven school counselors are currently employed, which indicates a stable but competitive job market. The local cost of living index sits at 98.5, slightly below the national average, impacting the purchasing power of school counselor pay in Marana AZ. Among local employers, K-12 public school districts generally offer the most competitive salaries, while opportunities in private, charter, and post-secondary settings may vary. The discrepancy between lower and higher salary figures is often driven by factors like years of experience, advanced degree placement, and additional roles such as department heads or summer program coordinators. Counselors looking to boost their earnings should strategically seek positions that offer enhanced pay structures, particularly those tied to supplemental duties or extended year contracts, aligning their professional advancement with the evolving demands of the education landscape.
More salary data for Marana, 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 $51,859 for school counselorsin the Marana 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 Marana 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