School Counselor Salary in Davenport, IA: $57,365 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time school counselor in Davenport, IA earns a median $57,365/year (≈ $27.58/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 21-1012). Once you factor in Davenport's price level (11% below national, BEA RPP 89.1), that paycheck buys what $64,398 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 0.9% above the Iowa state average.
Official BLS data · View source
In Davenport, IA, school counselors earn a median annual salary of $57,365, which reflects the growing demand for mental health support in educational settings. This local figure is about 10.83% lower than the national median of $64,335. The salary range for counselors here spans from $39,843 at the 10th percentile to $83,347 at the 90th percentile, indicating a diverse pay scale that takes into account experience and specialization. The data derived from the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) underscores the need for competitive compensation as school districts strive to meet the ASCA recommendation of a 1:250 counselor-to-student ratio, a target currently challenged by the typical national average of 1:385.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $39,843 | $19.16 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $47,354 | $22.77 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $57,365 | $27.58 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $71,877 | $34.55 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $83,347 | $40.08 |
Median Salary Position
10.83% below the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Davenport
In Davenport, IA, the school counselor salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $43,504 (2026 est.). At $57,365, the local median is 10.83% below the national median of $64,335.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in Davenport: You'd be in the lower-middle range
How Davenport School Counselor Pay Compares
Davenport median: $57,365/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Davenport Pays |
|---|---|---|
| Iowa Average | $56,854 | +0.90% more |
| National Average | $64,335 | -10.83% less |
School Counselors in Davenport, IA earn a median of $57,365 per year (2026 est.), which is 10.83% lower than the national median of $64,335 and 0.90% above the Iowa state average of $56,854.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Davenport has a cost of living 10.92% below the national average, meaning your salary goes further here.
Adjusted salary = nominal × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average.
Davenport, IA has a cost-of-living index of 89.079 (below the national average of 100). A school counselor earning $57,365 nominally has purchasing power equivalent to $64,398 in an average-cost city — an effective 12.26% boost.
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2019 BLS Actual
$49,580
2025 BLS Actual
$56,213
2026 Current Est.
$57,365
2019–2027 Growth
+18.1%
Salary Trajectory for School Counselors in Davenport (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 2.05% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $49,580 | Actual |
| 2020 | $48,400 | Actual |
| 2021 | $49,430 | Actual |
| 2022 | $51,480 | Actual |
| 2023 | $51,460 | Actual |
| 2024 | $57,910 | Actual |
| 2025 | $56,213 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $57,365 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $58,541 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Davenport metropolitan area, the median school counselor salary grew 13.4% from $49,580 (2019) to $56,213 (2025). At a 2.05% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $58,541 by 2027 — a total increase of $8,961 (18.07%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Davenport 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) | $39,843 – $47,354 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $47,354 – $57,365 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $57,365 – $71,877 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $71,877 – $83,347 |
SC, LSC salary ranges estimated from BLS percentile data. Individual school counselor compensation varies by employer, certifications, and specialization.
School Counselor Job Market in Davenport
With around 340 school counselors employed in the Davenport area, the job market for this profession appears stable, even as the local cost-of-living index stands at 89.079, suggesting favorable purchasing power compared to national averages. Salary variances stem from factors such as years of experience, educational qualifications, and the specific pay structures employed by K-12 public school districts and private institutions. Those looking to maximize their school counselor pay in Davenport should consider roles in high-demand areas, pursue advanced certifications, and participate in extended contracts and summer programs, which can offer additional pay. This is especially critical in a district where competitive recruitment strategies enhance compensation packages amidst increasing allocations for mental health initiatives post-COVID.
More salary data for Davenport, IA:
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 $56,213 for school counselorsin the Davenport 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