School Counselor Salary in Lafayette, IN: $59,526 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time school counselor in Lafayette, IN earns a median $59,526/year (≈ $28.63/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 21-1012). Once you factor in Lafayette's price level (7% below national, BEA RPP 93.4), that paycheck buys what $63,712 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 2.1% above the Indiana state average.
Official BLS data · View source
Projected for 2026, school counselors in Lafayette, Indiana, can expect a median annual salary of $59,526. This figure reflects a strong demand for these professionals spurred in part by increased funding for mental health initiatives in schools post-COVID. The salary range for school counselors in this area reflects the diversity of roles and experiences, with entry-level positions starting at $54,015 and seasoned counselors earning up to $85,998, according to 2025 BLS OEWS data, projected to 2026. As Lafayette’s job market adapts to the ongoing mental health challenges faced by students, the focus on attracting qualified counselors is evident, creating competitive salary opportunities in the region.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $54,015 | $25.96 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $54,015 | $25.96 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $59,526 | $28.63 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $66,646 | $32.04 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $85,998 | $41.34 |
Median Salary Position
7.47% below the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Lafayette
In Lafayette, IN, the school counselor salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $31,983 (2026 est.). At $59,526, the local median is 7.47% below the national median of $64,335.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in Lafayette: You'd be in the entry-level range
How Lafayette School Counselor Pay Compares
Lafayette median: $59,526/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Lafayette Pays |
|---|---|---|
| Indiana Average | $58,301 | +2.10% more |
| National Average | $64,335 | -7.47% less |
School Counselors in Lafayette, IN earn a median of $59,526 per year (2026 est.), which is 7.47% lower than the national median of $64,335 and 2.10% above the Indiana state average of $58,301.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Lafayette has a cost of living 6.57% below the national average, meaning your salary goes further here.
Adjusted salary = nominal × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average.
Lafayette, IN has a cost-of-living index of 93.43 (below the national average of 100). A school counselor earning $59,526 nominally has purchasing power equivalent to $63,712 in an average-cost city — an effective 7.03% boost.
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2019 BLS Actual
$49,640
2025 BLS Actual
$58,330
2026 Current Est.
$59,526
2019–2027 Growth
+22.4%
Salary Trajectory for School Counselors in Lafayette (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 2.05% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $49,640 | Actual |
| 2020 | $50,080 | Actual |
| 2021 | $49,560 | Actual |
| 2022 | $50,420 | Actual |
| 2023 | $48,360 | Actual |
| 2024 | $53,560 | Actual |
| 2025 | $58,330 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $59,526 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $60,746 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Lafayette metropolitan area, the median school counselor salary grew 17.5% from $49,640 (2019) to $58,330 (2025). At a 2.05% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $60,746 by 2027 — a total increase of $11,106 (22.37%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Lafayette 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) | $54,015 – $54,015 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $54,015 – $59,526 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $59,526 – $66,646 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $66,646 – $85,998 |
SC, LSC salary ranges estimated from BLS percentile data. Individual school counselor compensation varies by employer, certifications, and specialization.
School Counselor Job Market in Lafayette
In Lafayette, the employment landscape for school counselors is robust, with around 460 professionals currently working in various educational settings. The cost of living index sits at 93.43, which is below the national average, allowing for a favorable purchasing power relative to higher salaries elsewhere. Public school districts often lead in compensation within the local market, thanks to structured pay scales based on experience and education, particularly for counselors with advanced degrees. This pay structure, coupled with potential bonuses for extra roles or contracts during the summer, contributes to a notable salary spread in the area. To maximize pay in Lafayette, focusing on furthering education to reach master's plus 30 credits or pursuing mentorship roles can leverage better placement on the salary scale, allowing for increased take-home earnings in this evolving market.
More salary data for Lafayette, IN:
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 $58,330 for school counselorsin the Lafayette 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
Source: BLS, OEWS, 7-year dataset (–). Per-city data from annual BLS metropolitan area surveys.
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