School Counselor Salary in Benton, AR: $60,412 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time school counselor in Benton, AR earns a median $60,412/year (≈ $29.04/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 21-1012). Once you factor in Benton's price level (13% below national, BEA RPP 86.9), that paycheck buys what $69,519 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 2.0% below the Arkansas state average.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
For school counselors in Benton, Arkansas, the projected median annual salary for 2026 is $60,412. This figure reflects a competitive market where salaries range from $42,059 at the 10th percentile to $93,638 at the 90th percentile, indicating a diverse compensation structure based on experience and educational qualifications. Local estimates derived from 2025 BLS data suggest that with the cost of living index at 86.9, the purchasing power in Benton tends to go further than in many other regions. This annual compensation places Benton’s school counselor salary slightly below the national median of $64,335, emphasizing the need for future counselors to consider local budget and hiring contexts when evaluating their career prospects.
About the Benton Market
Salary estimated from Arkansas average ($55,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $42,059 | $20.22 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $47,488 | $22.83 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $60,412 | $29.04 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $76,307 | $36.69 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $93,638 | $45.01 |
Median Salary Position
6.1% below the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Benton
In Benton, AR, the school counselor salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $51,579 (2026 est.). At $60,412, the local median is 6.1% below the national median of $64,335.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in Benton: You'd be in the lower-middle range
How Benton School Counselor Pay Compares
Benton median: $60,412/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Benton Pays |
|---|---|---|
| Arkansas Average | $61,644 | -2.00% less |
| National Average | $64,335 | -6.10% less |
School Counselors in Benton, AR earn a median of $60,412 per year (2026 est.), which is 6.10% lower than the national median of $64,335 and 2.00% below the Arkansas state average of $61,644.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Benton has a cost of living 13.10% below the national average, meaning your salary goes further here.
Adjusted salary = nominal × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average.
Benton, AR has a cost-of-living index of 86.9 (below the national average of 100). A school counselor earning $60,412 nominally has purchasing power equivalent to $69,519 in an average-cost city — an effective 15.07% boost.
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2019 BLS Actual
$52,490
2025 BLS Actual
$59,198
2026 Current Est.
$60,412
2019–2027 Growth
+17.5%
Salary Trajectory for School Counselors in Benton (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 2.05% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $52,490 | Actual |
| 2020 | $53,483 | Actual |
| 2021 | $55,683 | Actual |
| 2022 | $55,342 | Actual |
| 2023 | $56,787 | Actual |
| 2024 | $46,823 | Actual |
| 2025 | $59,198 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $60,412 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $61,650 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Benton metropolitan area, the median school counselor salary grew 12.8% from $52,490 (2019) to $59,198 (2025). At a 2.05% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $61,650 by 2027 — a total increase of $9,160 (17.45%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Benton 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) | $42,059 – $47,488 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $47,488 – $60,412 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $60,412 – $76,307 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $76,307 – $93,638 |
SC, LSC salary ranges estimated from BLS percentile data. Individual school counselor compensation varies by employer, certifications, and specialization.
School Counselor Job Market in Benton
Currently, there are five school counselors employed in Benton, suggesting a relatively stable job market for professionals in this field. The cost of living index offers insights into how far a school counselor's salary stretches, with Benton being more affordable than many areas, despite its lower wages. Within Benton, K-12 public school districts typically offer the highest salaries among local employers, reflecting a commitment to staffing mental health resources in the wake of recent funding expansions. The variance in pay can be attributed to factors such as district step-and-lane pay structures, which reward years of experience and education level—particularly for those holding a master's degree or pursuing additional qualifications. To maximize earning potential in this market, aspiring counselors should strategically seek opportunities for professional development, consider extended contract roles, and be open to taking on positions that offer stipends for additional responsibilities.
More salary data for Benton, AR:
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 $59,198 for school counselorsin the Benton 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 Benton 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