School Counselor Salary in Franklin, TN: $59,827 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time school counselor in Franklin, TN earns a median $59,827/year (≈ $28.77/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 21-1012). Once you factor in Franklin's price level (8% below national, BEA RPP 91.8), that paycheck buys what $65,171 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 0.5% above the Tennessee state average.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
In 2026, school counselors in Franklin, TN, can expect a median salary of $59,827, which is slightly below the national figure of $64,335. The projected salary range for school counselors in the area stretches from $43,328 at the 10th percentile to $92,732 at the 90th percentile, indicating a diverse salary landscape influenced by experience and educational credentials. These figures are based on estimates derived from 2025 BLS state-level data and adjusted for regional cost variations. With a robust step-and-lane pay scale typical of K-12 school districts, counselors with advanced degrees or years of experience can position themselves for higher compensation within this competitive job market in Franklin.
About the Franklin Market
Salary estimated from Tennessee average ($58,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $43,328 | $20.83 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $48,328 | $23.24 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $59,827 | $28.77 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $76,578 | $36.82 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $92,732 | $44.59 |
Median Salary Position
7.01% below the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Franklin
In Franklin, TN, the school counselor salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $49,404 (2026 est.). At $59,827, the local median is 7.01% below the national median of $64,335.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in Franklin: You'd be in the lower-middle range
How Franklin School Counselor Pay Compares
Franklin median: $59,827/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Franklin Pays |
|---|---|---|
| Tennessee Average | $59,529 | +0.50% more |
| National Average | $64,335 | -7.01% less |
School Counselors in Franklin, TN earn a median of $59,827 per year (2026 est.), which is 7.01% lower than the national median of $64,335 and 0.50% above the Tennessee state average of $59,529.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Franklin has a cost of living 8.20% below the national average, meaning your salary goes further here.
Adjusted salary = nominal × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average.
Franklin, TN has a cost-of-living index of 91.8 (below the national average of 100). A school counselor earning $59,827 nominally has purchasing power equivalent to $65,171 in an average-cost city — an effective 8.93% boost.
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2019 BLS Actual
$51,982
2025 BLS Actual
$58,625
2026 Current Est.
$59,827
2019–2027 Growth
+17.5%
Salary Trajectory for School Counselors in Franklin (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 2.05% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $51,982 | Actual |
| 2020 | $52,966 | Actual |
| 2021 | $55,144 | Actual |
| 2022 | $54,807 | Actual |
| 2023 | $56,237 | Actual |
| 2024 | $52,077 | Actual |
| 2025 | $58,625 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $59,827 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $61,053 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Franklin metropolitan area, the median school counselor salary grew 12.8% from $51,982 (2019) to $58,625 (2025). At a 2.05% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $61,053 by 2027 — a total increase of $9,071 (17.45%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Franklin 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) | $43,328 – $48,328 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $48,328 – $59,827 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $59,827 – $76,578 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $76,578 – $92,732 |
SC, LSC salary ranges estimated from BLS percentile data. Individual school counselor compensation varies by employer, certifications, and specialization.
School Counselor Job Market in Franklin
With a total of 18 employed school counselors, Franklin's market conditions favor those seeking these positions in light of the local cost of living index, which sits at 91.8—indicative of a generally lower expense level than the national average. This reality enhances the take-home purchasing power of these professionals, effectively countering potential salary concerns. Among various employer types, K-12 public school districts tend to offer the most competitive wages, especially for counselors who achieve advanced placements on the pay scale through earned qualifications like a master's plus 30 credits. Factors such as contractual obligations for extended school year programs and supplemental stipend roles further widen salary discrepancies. Moving forward, counselors aiming to maximize their earnings should consider additional certifications, involvement in after-school programs, and the pursuit of leadership roles within their districts, all of which can lead to significant salary enhancements in this Franklin market.
More salary data for Franklin, TN:
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 $58,625 for school counselorsin the Franklin 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 Franklin 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