School Counselor Salary in Marion, IN: $56,370 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time school counselor in Marion, IN earns a median $56,370/year (≈ $27.10/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 21-1012). Once you factor in Marion's price level (9% below national, BEA RPP 91.3), that paycheck buys what $61,742 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 3.4% below the Indiana state average.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
In 2026, school counselors in Marion, Indiana, can expect a median annual salary of $56,370. This figure reflects a local salary structure that aligns with the traditional step-and-lane pay scale, which factors in both years of experience and education level. For those positioned within the K-12 public school system, salaries range from $42,809 at the lower end (P10) to as much as $86,468 at the higher end (P90). Such compensation estimates are derived from 2025 BLS data, adjusted for regional price disparities, revealing that school counselor pay in Marion falls approximately 12.38% below the national median of $64,335.
About the Marion Market
Salary estimated from Indiana average ($62,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $42,809 | $20.58 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $46,811 | $22.50 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $56,370 | $27.10 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $70,318 | $33.81 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $86,468 | $41.58 |
Median Salary Position
12.38% below the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Marion
In Marion, IN, the school counselor salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $43,659 (2026 est.). At $56,370, the local median is 12.38% below the national median of $64,335.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in Marion: You'd be in the lower-middle range
How Marion School Counselor Pay Compares
Marion median: $56,370/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Marion Pays |
|---|---|---|
| Indiana Average | $58,354 | -3.40% less |
| National Average | $64,335 | -12.38% less |
School Counselors in Marion, IN earn a median of $56,370 per year (2026 est.), which is 12.38% lower than the national median of $64,335 and 3.40% below the Indiana state average of $58,354.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Marion has a cost of living 8.70% below the national average, meaning your salary goes further here.
Adjusted salary = nominal × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average.
Marion, IN has a cost-of-living index of 91.3 (below the national average of 100). A school counselor earning $56,370 nominally has purchasing power equivalent to $61,742 in an average-cost city — an effective 9.53% boost.
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2019 BLS Actual
$48,978
2025 BLS Actual
$55,238
2026 Current Est.
$56,370
2019–2027 Growth
+17.5%
Salary Trajectory for School Counselors in Marion (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 2.05% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $48,978 | Actual |
| 2020 | $49,906 | Actual |
| 2021 | $51,958 | Actual |
| 2022 | $51,640 | Actual |
| 2023 | $52,988 | Actual |
| 2024 | $54,708 | Actual |
| 2025 | $55,238 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $56,370 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $57,526 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Marion metropolitan area, the median school counselor salary grew 12.8% from $48,978 (2019) to $55,238 (2025). At a 2.05% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $57,526 by 2027 — a total increase of $8,548 (17.45%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Marion 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) | $42,809 – $46,811 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $46,811 – $56,370 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $56,370 – $70,318 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $70,318 – $86,468 |
SC, LSC salary ranges estimated from BLS percentile data. Individual school counselor compensation varies by employer, certifications, and specialization.
School Counselor Job Market in Marion
The job market for school counselors in Marion is relatively stable, with only five individuals currently employed in these roles. The local cost of living index is 91.3, which is below the national average, implying that while salaries may not be as competitive compared to larger urban centers, they still provide a reasonable standard of living. K-12 public school districts often provide the most lucrative employment opportunities, especially for those willing to engage in summer programming or take on additional responsibilities such as leading departmental initiatives. The significant variance in school counselor salaries in Marion can be attributed to factors like years of experience, possession of advanced degrees beyond a master's, and the availability of stipends. Counselors interested in maximizing their earning potential should look into opportunities within extended school year contracts and explore roles in districts that align with the recent expansions in mental health funding post-COVID, as this could lead to increased hiring and competitive salaries.
More salary data for Marion, 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 $55,238 for school counselorsin the Marion 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 Marion 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