SalariesByCity
BLS SOC 21-1012 · Tennessee · Updated 2026

School Counselor Salary in Memphis, TN

School Counselors in Memphis, TN earn a median of $38,000/year, ranging from $29,260 (25th percentile) to $60,800 (90th percentile). After Tennessee state taxes (0%) and cost-of-living adjustments (COL index 83), this is equivalent to $45,783 in purchasing power vs the US average.

Median Annual
$38,000
BLS median
Entry Level (P25)
$29,260
25th percentile
Senior (P75)
$48,640
75th percentile
Top Earners (P90)
$60,800
90th percentile

1Salary Distribution in Memphis, TN

P25
P75
P25
$29,260
Median
$38,000
P75
$48,640
P90
$60,800

2Estimated Take-Home & Purchasing Power

Gross Median Salary
$38,000
Before taxes
Est. Take-Home (After Tax)
$35,112
After 0% state + ~7.6% FICA
COL-Adjusted Purchasing Power
$42,304
vs US average (COL index: 83)

* Estimates only. Does not include federal income tax, 401k, health insurance, or local taxes. Use the Salary Calculator for a detailed breakdown.

3

How Does Memphis, TN Compare?

Nearby and similar metro areas
CityMedianCOL IndexCOL-Adjusted
Memphis, TN (current)$38,00083$45,783
Nashville, TN$47,000110$42,727
San Francisco, CA$70,000186$37,634
New York, NY$67,000187$35,829
Seattle, WA$68,000162$41,975
Boston, MA$62,000162$38,272

4Frequently Asked Questions

What is the average School Counselor salary in Memphis, TN?

The median School Counselor salary in Memphis, TN is $38,000 per year as of 2026 BLS OEWS data. The 25th percentile is $29,260 and the 90th percentile is $60,800.

Is Memphis, TN a good place to work as a School Counselor?

Memphis, TN has a cost of living index of 83 (US average = 100). After adjusting for cost of living, a $38,000 School Counselor salary in Memphis, TN is equivalent to $45,783 in purchasing power compared to the US average.

What is the cost of living adjustment for Memphis, TN?

Memphis, TN has a cost of living index of 83, meaning it is 17% less expensive than the US average. The state income tax rate in Tennessee is approximately 0%.

What is the School Counselor salary range in Memphis, TN?

In Memphis, TN, School Counselors earn between $29,260 (25th percentile) and $60,800 (90th percentile), with a median of $38,000 per year.

How many School Counselor jobs are there in Memphis, TN?

According to BLS OEWS data, there are approximately 20,000 School Counselor positions in the Memphis, TN metropolitan area.

What do School Counselors earn in Memphis, TN?

Based on BLS OEWS 2026 data, School Counselors in Memphis, TN earn a median annual wage of $38,000. The middle 50% earn between $29,260 and $48,640. The top 10% earn more than $60,800. There are approximately 20,000 School Counselors employed in the Memphis, TN metro area, with annual job growth estimated at 3%.

Is Memphis, TN a good place for a School Counselor?

Memphis, TN has a cost of living index of 83 (US average = 100), making it 17% less expensive than the national average. After adjusting for cost of living, a School Counselor in Memphis, TN earning $38,000has the equivalent purchasing power of $45,783 relative to the US median. Tennessee has no state income tax, which is a significant financial advantage.

What is the cost of living adjustment for Memphis, TN?

Memphis, TN's cost of living index is 83, based on composite data including housing, food, transportation, healthcare, and utilities. This means that $38,000 in Memphis, TNhas the same purchasing power as $45,783 in a city at exactly the US average cost of living. Housing is typically the largest driver of cost of living differences between metros.

Compare Memphis, TN with Another City

See a detailed side-by-side comparison of salary, taxes, and purchasing power.

Data source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS) Program. All figures are approximate annual estimates based on the most recent available BLS data. Actual salaries may vary based on experience, education, employer size, and specific role. Cost-of-living data represents composite indices from publicly available metropolitan area data.