School Counselor Salary in Meridian, ID: $59,768 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time school counselor in Meridian, ID earns a median $59,768/year (≈ $28.74/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 21-1012). Once you factor in Meridian's price level (5% below national, BEA RPP 95.3), that paycheck buys what $62,716 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 0.4% above the Idaho state average.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
In 2026, school counselors in Meridian, ID, can expect to earn a median annual salary of $59,768, which is slightly lower than the national median of $64,335. Salary figures for this role indicate a broad range, with the lowest 10% earning around $42,924 and the top 90% potentially reaching $92,640. These numbers, derived from 2025 BLS data and adjusted for the regional cost of living, reflect the typical compensation scales in K-12 public education systems, where counselor salaries are generally structured in a step-and-lane format based on educational attainment and years of service. Given the current emphasis on mental health services and the recommended counselor-to-student ratio of 1:250, the demand for qualified counselors continues to grow in Meridian.
About the Meridian Market
Salary estimated from Idaho average ($62,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $42,924 | $20.63 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $48,219 | $23.19 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $59,768 | $28.74 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $76,291 | $36.68 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $92,640 | $44.53 |
Median Salary Position
7.1% below the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Meridian
In Meridian, ID, the school counselor salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $49,716 (2026 est.). At $59,768, the local median is 7.1% below the national median of $64,335.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in Meridian: You'd be in the lower-middle range
How Meridian School Counselor Pay Compares
Meridian median: $59,768/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Meridian Pays |
|---|---|---|
| Idaho Average | $59,530 | +0.40% more |
| National Average | $64,335 | -7.10% less |
School Counselors in Meridian, ID earn a median of $59,768 per year (2026 est.), which is 7.10% lower than the national median of $64,335 and 0.40% above the Idaho state average of $59,530.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Meridian has a cost of living 4.70% below the national average, meaning your salary goes further here.
Adjusted salary = nominal × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average.
Meridian, ID has a cost-of-living index of 95.3 (below the national average of 100). A school counselor earning $59,768 nominally has purchasing power equivalent to $62,716 in an average-cost city — an effective 4.93% boost.
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2019 BLS Actual
$51,930
2025 BLS Actual
$58,567
2026 Current Est.
$59,768
2019–2027 Growth
+17.5%
Salary Trajectory for School Counselors in Meridian (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 2.05% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $51,930 | Actual |
| 2020 | $52,913 | Actual |
| 2021 | $55,089 | Actual |
| 2022 | $54,752 | Actual |
| 2023 | $56,182 | Actual |
| 2024 | $59,307 | Actual |
| 2025 | $58,567 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $59,768 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $60,993 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Meridian metropolitan area, the median school counselor salary grew 12.8% from $51,930 (2019) to $58,567 (2025). At a 2.05% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $60,993 by 2027 — a total increase of $9,063 (17.45%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Meridian 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) | $42,924 – $48,219 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $48,219 – $59,768 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $59,768 – $76,291 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $76,291 – $92,640 |
SC, LSC salary ranges estimated from BLS percentile data. Individual school counselor compensation varies by employer, certifications, and specialization.
School Counselor Job Market in Meridian
The local job market for school counselors shows promise, with about 30 active professionals in the Meridian area. Interestingly, the cost of living index at 95.3 means that counselors may have a slightly enhanced purchasing power compared to many regions. Among the various employers, K-12 public school districts typically provide the most competitive salaries. The salary spread is influenced by years of experience, education levels, and the application of additional roles such as department heads or club advisors. To maximize earnings in Meridian, it may be beneficial for counselors to pursue advanced certifications or take on extended school year contracts. Engaging in ongoing professional development can also align a counselor’s skills with the increasing demand for mental health support, further enhancing their market value and job security in this evolving field.
More salary data for Meridian, ID:
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 $58,567 for school counselorsin the Meridian 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 Meridian 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