School Counselor Salary in Sherwood, AR: $59,914 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time school counselor in Sherwood, AR earns a median $59,914/year (≈ $28.81/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 21-1012). Once you factor in Sherwood's price level (13% below national, BEA RPP 86.9), that paycheck buys what $68,946 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 2.8% below the Arkansas state average.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
In the wake of the post-COVID mental health funding expansion, the school counselor salary in Sherwood has seen a significant boost. The projected median annual salary for 2026 stands at $59,914, in contrast to the national median of $64,335. Local salaries range from $41,143 at the 10th percentile to $92,867 at the 90th percentile, reflecting diverse compensation levels across different districts and roles. These figures are derived from 2025 BLS data, adjusted for regional cost of living, which hints at a growing demand for qualified school counselors in Sherwood, AR, particularly as schools strive to meet mental health needs amid increasing student enrollment and pressing societal challenges.
About the Sherwood Market
Salary estimated from Arkansas average ($55,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $41,143 | $19.78 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $48,807 | $23.46 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $59,914 | $28.81 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $76,690 | $36.87 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $92,867 | $44.65 |
Median Salary Position
6.87% below the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Sherwood
In Sherwood, AR, the school counselor salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $51,724 (2026 est.). At $59,914, the local median is 6.87% below the national median of $64,335.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in Sherwood: You'd be in the lower-middle range
How Sherwood School Counselor Pay Compares
Sherwood median: $59,914/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Sherwood Pays |
|---|---|---|
| Arkansas Average | $61,639 | -2.80% less |
| National Average | $64,335 | -6.87% less |
School Counselors in Sherwood, AR earn a median of $59,914 per year (2026 est.), which is 6.87% lower than the national median of $64,335 and 2.80% below the Arkansas state average of $61,639.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Sherwood 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.
Sherwood, AR has a cost-of-living index of 86.9 (below the national average of 100). A school counselor earning $59,914 nominally has purchasing power equivalent to $68,946 in an average-cost city — an effective 15.07% boost.
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2019 BLS Actual
$52,057
2025 BLS Actual
$58,710
2026 Current Est.
$59,914
2019–2027 Growth
+17.5%
Salary Trajectory for School Counselors in Sherwood (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 2.05% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $52,057 | Actual |
| 2020 | $53,043 | Actual |
| 2021 | $55,224 | Actual |
| 2022 | $54,886 | Actual |
| 2023 | $56,319 | Actual |
| 2024 | $46,437 | Actual |
| 2025 | $58,710 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $59,914 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $61,142 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Sherwood metropolitan area, the median school counselor salary grew 12.8% from $52,057 (2019) to $58,710 (2025). At a 2.05% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $61,142 by 2027 — a total increase of $9,085 (17.45%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Sherwood 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) | $41,143 – $48,807 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $48,807 – $59,914 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $59,914 – $76,690 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $76,690 – $92,867 |
SC, LSC salary ranges estimated from BLS percentile data. Individual school counselor compensation varies by employer, certifications, and specialization.
School Counselor Job Market in Sherwood
Analyzing the current job market for school counselors, there are only seven positions filled in Sherwood, indicating a potentially competitive landscape. The cost of living index in this area is 86.9, which is below the national average and enhances the purchasing power of local salaries. In terms of pay, K-12 public school districts in Sherwood typically offer structured compensation based on the step-and-lane pay scale, considering both experience and educational qualifications. Variations in pay can arise from additional responsibilities, such as extended contracts or stipends for leadership roles. For counselors in Sherwood looking to maximize their earning potential, pursuing further education or additional certifications in mental health could provide a significant advantage in negotiation for higher pay and expanded responsibilities.
More salary data for Sherwood, 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 $58,710 for school counselorsin the Sherwood 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 Sherwood 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