School Counselor Salary in Richmond, IN: $56,759 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time school counselor in Richmond, IN earns a median $56,759/year (≈ $27.29/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 21-1012). Once you factor in Richmond's price level (9% below national, BEA RPP 91.3), that paycheck buys what $62,168 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 2.7% below the Indiana state average.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
Richmond, Indiana has witnessed a significant surge in the hiring of school counselors, largely due to the expansion of mental health funding in the wake of the COVID-19 pandemic. In 2026, the projected median annual salary for school counselors in this area is $56,759, which reflects a competitive but still below national average figures; the national median stands at $64,335. Salaries in Richmond range from $38,887 at the low end (P10) to $87,976 for those at the high end (P90), suggesting a diverse spectrum of opportunities within local educational institutions. These figures, derived from 2025 BLS data and adjusted for regional price parity, highlight the local context of school counselor compensation and underscore the district's ongoing commitment to student mental health support.
About the Richmond Market
Salary estimated from Indiana average ($62,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $38,887 | $18.70 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $47,610 | $22.89 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $56,759 | $27.29 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $71,243 | $34.25 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $87,976 | $42.30 |
Median Salary Position
11.78% below the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Richmond
In Richmond, IN, the school counselor salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $49,089 (2026 est.). At $56,759, the local median is 11.78% below the national median of $64,335.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in Richmond: You'd be in the lower-middle range
How Richmond School Counselor Pay Compares
Richmond median: $56,759/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Richmond Pays |
|---|---|---|
| Indiana Average | $58,334 | -2.70% less |
| National Average | $64,335 | -11.78% less |
School Counselors in Richmond, IN earn a median of $56,759 per year (2026 est.), which is 11.78% lower than the national median of $64,335 and 2.70% below the Indiana state average of $58,334.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Richmond 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.
Richmond, IN has a cost-of-living index of 91.3 (below the national average of 100). A school counselor earning $56,759 nominally has purchasing power equivalent to $62,168 in an average-cost city — an effective 9.53% boost.
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2019 BLS Actual
$49,316
2025 BLS Actual
$55,619
2026 Current Est.
$56,759
2019–2027 Growth
+17.5%
Salary Trajectory for School Counselors in Richmond (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 2.05% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $49,316 | Actual |
| 2020 | $50,250 | Actual |
| 2021 | $52,316 | Actual |
| 2022 | $51,996 | Actual |
| 2023 | $53,354 | Actual |
| 2024 | $55,086 | Actual |
| 2025 | $55,619 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $56,759 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $57,923 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Richmond metropolitan area, the median school counselor salary grew 12.8% from $49,316 (2019) to $55,619 (2025). At a 2.05% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $57,923 by 2027 — a total increase of $8,607 (17.45%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Richmond 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) | $38,887 – $47,610 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $47,610 – $56,759 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $56,759 – $71,243 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $71,243 – $87,976 |
SC, LSC salary ranges estimated from BLS percentile data. Individual school counselor compensation varies by employer, certifications, and specialization.
School Counselor Job Market in Richmond
The job market for school counselors in Richmond is relatively small, with only seven professionals currently employed in the area. Despite this limited number, the cost of living remains advantageous, with an index of 91.3, allowing for potentially higher take-home pay against living expenses. Those seeking higher school counselor pay in Richmond, IN, might find the most lucrative positions in K-12 public school districts, particularly within larger schools or districts that participate in summer programs, offer extended contracts, or include additional stipends for extra duties. The spread in salaries can be attributed to the step-and-lane pay structure common in K-12 education, along with additional factors like educational qualifications and years of experience. For aspiring counselors, advancing their credentials to master’s+30 or doctorate levels can significantly enhance salary potential in this market.
More salary data for Richmond, 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 $55,619 for school counselorsin the Richmond 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 Richmond 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