School Counselor Salary in Olive Branch, MS: $51,122 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time school counselor in Olive Branch, MS earns a median $51,122/year (≈ $24.57/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 21-1012). Once you factor in Olive Branch's price level (14% below national, BEA RPP 85.7), that paycheck buys what $59,652 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 5.4% below the Mississippi state average.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
In Olive Branch, Mississippi, the projected median annual salary for school counselors in 2026 is $51,122. This figure is notably lower than the national median of $64,335, illustrating a significant disparity in compensation. The salary range for this role in Olive Branch spans from $37,109 at the 10th percentile to $79,239 at the 90th percentile, providing a varied earning potential that depends on experience and educational credentials. The data, based on 2025 BLS estimates projected to 2026, reflects adjustments for local cost of living, which is positioned below the national average. Given the current school counselor-to-student ratio, which often exceeds the ASCA's recommended 1:250, this salary landscape may affect the recruitment and retention of professionals dedicated to supporting student mental health and academic success.
About the Olive Branch Market
Salary estimated from Mississippi average ($52,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $37,109 | $17.84 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $41,148 | $19.79 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $51,122 | $24.57 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $65,437 | $31.46 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $79,239 | $38.10 |
Median Salary Position
20.54% below the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Olive Branch
In Olive Branch, MS, the school counselor salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $42,130 (2026 est.). At $51,122, the local median is 20.54% below the national median of $64,335.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in Olive Branch: You'd be in the lower-middle range
How Olive Branch School Counselor Pay Compares
Olive Branch median: $51,122/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Olive Branch Pays |
|---|---|---|
| Mississippi Average | $54,040 | -5.40% less |
| National Average | $64,335 | -20.54% less |
School Counselors in Olive Branch, MS earn a median of $51,122 per year (2026 est.), which is 20.54% lower than the national median of $64,335 and 5.40% below the Mississippi state average of $54,040.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Olive Branch has a cost of living 14.30% below the national average, meaning your salary goes further here.
Adjusted salary = nominal × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average.
Olive Branch, MS has a cost-of-living index of 85.7 (below the national average of 100). A school counselor earning $51,122 nominally has purchasing power equivalent to $59,652 in an average-cost city — an effective 16.69% boost.
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2019 BLS Actual
$44,418
2025 BLS Actual
$50,095
2026 Current Est.
$51,122
2019–2027 Growth
+17.5%
Salary Trajectory for School Counselors in Olive Branch (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 2.05% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $44,418 | Actual |
| 2020 | $45,259 | Actual |
| 2021 | $47,120 | Actual |
| 2022 | $46,832 | Actual |
| 2023 | $48,055 | Actual |
| 2024 | $42,164 | Actual |
| 2025 | $50,095 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $51,122 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $52,170 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Olive Branch metropolitan area, the median school counselor salary grew 12.8% from $44,418 (2019) to $50,095 (2025). At a 2.05% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $52,170 by 2027 — a total increase of $7,752 (17.45%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Olive Branch 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) | $37,109 – $41,148 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $41,148 – $51,122 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $51,122 – $65,437 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $65,437 – $79,239 |
SC, LSC salary ranges estimated from BLS percentile data. Individual school counselor compensation varies by employer, certifications, and specialization.
School Counselor Job Market in Olive Branch
The job market for school counselors in Olive Branch remains modest, with only seven counselors employed in the area. The local cost of living index, at 85.7, indicates a lower purchasing power compared to the national average, making the salary structure more critical for residents. Among local employers, K-12 public school districts typically offer the best compensation packages, benefiting from state funding initiatives aimed at improving mental health resources in schools. However, the pay scale often reflects a step-and-lane system tied to experience and education achievements, creating a wide pay spread influenced by varying district policies. Counselors seeking to maximize their earnings may benefit from pursuing advanced degrees or specialized certifications, staying informed about district budget changes, and exploring stipends for additional roles such as department heads or after-school program facilitators to enhance their total compensation in Olive Branch, MS.
More salary data for Olive Branch, MS:
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 $50,095 for school counselorsin the Olive Branch 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 Olive Branch 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