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School Counselor Salary in Indianapolis, Indiana

Updated 2026-04-05BLS 2024 data — be the first to add a local report

Salary Distribution

BLS 2024
$54,780/ year

Median School Counselor in Indianapolis, IN

$33,915
10th
$41,360
25th
$54,780
Median
$70,400
75th
$85,888
90th

Compensation Breakdown

BLS 2024
Base salary (median)
$54,780
Total compensation (est.)
$62,997
Bonus range
$2,350 – $9,600
Mean salary
$58,067

How This Compares

Indianapolis, IN median
$54,780
Indiana median
$63,495-13.7%
National median
$62,250-12.0%

Cost of living in Indianapolis is 12% below the national average. Salary of $54,780 here is equivalent to $62,250 nationally.

Salary by Experience

0-2 years
$39,442-28.0%
3-5 years
$49,850-9.0%
6-10 years
$61,354+12.0%
10+ years
$75,596+38.0%

Salary by Company Size

Startup (< 100 employees)
$48,206-12.0%
Mid-size (100–5,000)
$54,780
Enterprise (5,000+)
$64,640+18.0%

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School Counselor Salaries in Nearby Cities

Fort Wayne, IN$62,250/yr
Evansville, IN$62,250/yr
South Bend, IN$62,250/yr

Related Jobs in Indianapolis

Elementary School Teacher$54,463/yr
High School Teacher$54,877/yr
Special Education Teacher$54,402/yr
University Professor$74,254/yr
Instructional Designer$68,631/yr

Quick Numbers

Hourly (40hr week)$26/hr
Monthly gross$4,565/mo
25th percentile$41,360/yr
75th percentile$70,400/yr

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Market Context

via FRED

Fed Funds Rate

Mar 2026

3.64%

Inflation (CPI)

year-over-year

2.4%+0.04

National Unemployment

Mar 2026

4.3%-0.10

Indiana Unemployment

Dec 2025

3.5%-0.20

Avg Hourly Earnings

all private workers

$37.38+$0.09

10yr Treasury

Apr 2026

4.31%

Source: St. Louis Fed (FRED). Updated daily.

School Counselor Salaries by City

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Frequently Asked Questions

What is the average School Counselor salary in Indianapolis?

The median School Counselor salary in Indianapolis is $54,780 per year, with a range from $41,360 at the 25th percentile to $70,400 at the 75th percentile. Total compensation including bonuses typically runs higher — see the breakdown above for the full picture.

How does School Counselor pay in Indianapolis compare to the national average?

School Counselor salaries in Indianapolis are 12% below the national median of $62,250. After adjusting for Indianapolis's cost of living, the purchasing power of that salary is equivalent to roughly $62,250 nationally — which is the number that actually matters when comparing offers across cities.

What factors affect School Counselor salaries in Indianapolis?

In Indianapolis, the biggest drivers are years of experience, company size, and industry vertical. Entry-level School Counselor roles start around $33,915, while senior and staff-level positions at larger employers can reach $85,888 or above. Specialized skills and in-demand tools can also meaningfully shift where you land in the range.

Is Indianapolis a good place for School Counselor jobs?

Indianapolis offers a School Counselor median of $54,780, which is 12% below the US median of $62,250. Whether that makes it a good market depends on your personal cost-of-living equation — Indianapolis is 12% cheaper than the national average, so factor that into your math.

How do I negotiate a higher School Counselor salary?

Start with the data on this page: the 75th percentile for School Counselor in Indianapolis is $70,400, which is a defensible anchor for a negotiation. Come in with a specific number backed by real market data — not a range — and reference your experience tier. If you're above the median, ask for the 75th percentile. If you're already at the 75th, push for total comp improvements like equity or bonus instead.