Texas School Counselor
School counselors in Texas earn a median salary of $65,660 per year and support students from pre-K through 12th grade. The state projects about 2,820 job openings annually through 2032. You’ll need a master’s degree in school counseling, supervised fieldwork, and Texas certification to practice.
Texas Links
Texas is one of the largest school counseling job markets in the country, with approximately 32,000 counselors working across the state. Whether you’re exploring the career or ready to take the next step, here’s what you need to know about school counseling in Texas.
What School Counselors Do in Texas
Texas school counselors work within a structured statewide framework — the Texas Model for Comprehensive School Counseling Programs — that organizes the role into four components: guidance curriculum, individual student planning, responsive services, and system support. That framework shapes what counselors do every day across every grade level.
At the elementary level, a counselor might lead classroom lessons on conflict resolution one morning and spend the afternoon meeting individually with a student whose grades have dropped unexpectedly. At the high school level, the same role shifts toward college and career planning, financial aid guidance, and supporting students through the stressors that come with junior and senior year.
Texas law generally requires that school counselors spend at least 80% of their time, to the extent practicable, on counseling program duties — not administrative tasks. That boundary matters in practice. It means counselors can focus on students rather than getting pulled into scheduling, testing coordination, or other non-counseling work that has historically crowded out the role.
Mental health is an increasingly central part of the job. Research suggests about 20% of school-age children experience a diagnosable mental health condition, and many do not receive adequate support. Texas school counselors are often the first point of contact — identifying students who need more intensive services, coordinating referrals, and providing short-term support while longer-term help is arranged.
In Texas, School Counselors are Getting the Respect and Recognition They Deserve
In schools across Texas, school counselors are making a difference and being recognized by the state for their efforts.
At Copperas Cove ISD, no less than four schools — House Creek Elementary, Martin Walker Elementary, Copperas Cove Jr. High, and Copperas Cove High School — were awarded the CREST (Counselors Reinforcing Excellence for Students in Texas) Award for Counseling for the 2023-24 school year by the Texas School Counselor Association (TSCA).
To earn the CREST Award, schools must show “continued improvement” for their school counseling efforts. Established in 2005, the CREST Award recognizes schools in five categories:
- Introduction to the school and role of the professional school counselor
- Program implementation cycle
- Foundational components
- Four service delivery components
- Program curriculum
According to Melissa Dewald, Counseling Coordinator of Copperas Cove Jr. High, the CREST Award serves as “recognition of the hard work, dedication, and innovative approaches we implement to support the whole student.”
Four counseling teams within the Killeen ISD — Harker Heights High School, Gateway High School, Iduma Elementary, and Peebles Elementary — also received the CREST Award for the 2023-24 school year.
Dr. Jo-Lynette Crayton, assistant superintendent of curriculum and instructional services, revealed that the award reflected the counseling teams’ dedication to supporting the district’s success and well-being. According to Crayton, the work of the school counseling teams within the district creates a positive culture by assessing the needs of all students, staff, and their families and nurturing relationships.
And in the Aldine ISD, school counselors of Goodman Elementary received the CREST Award, highlighting their outstanding work toward supporting their students. It was the first time a school in the Aldine ISD was recognized.
Job Outlook in Texas
Texas projects about 2,820 annual job openings for school counselors through 2032 — among the higher totals of any state in the country. Employment is expected to grow about 15% from 2022 to 2032, outpacing the national average for most education-related roles.
The state employs approximately 32,000 school counselors, with the largest concentrations in the Dallas-Fort Worth, Houston, and San Antonio metro areas. Demand is driven partly by enrollment growth in major districts and partly by ongoing efforts to reduce counselor-to-student ratios. ASCA recommends one counselor for every 250 students — a benchmark most Texas districts are still working toward.
One notable recent change: Texas eliminated the two-year teaching experience requirement for school counselors in 2023 (Senate Bill 798). If teaching experience was the barrier keeping you from pursuing this path, that obstacle is gone. See the full requirements on the Texas school counselor certification page.
School Counselor Salary in Texas
Texas school counselors earn a median salary of $65,660 per year, just above the national median of $65,140. Salaries vary significantly by metro area — Dallas-Fort Worth and Houston both report medians above $74,000, while markets like San Antonio and Austin sit closer to the statewide figure.
| Percentile | Annual Salary |
|---|---|
| 10th | $40,530 |
| 25th | $48,940 |
| Median (50th) | $65,660 |
| 75th | $78,690 |
| 90th | $86,200 |
| Metro Area | Median Salary |
|---|---|
| Houston-Pasadena-The Woodlands, TX | $75,160 |
| Dallas-Fort Worth-Arlington, TX | $74,530 |
| McAllen-Edinburg-Mission, TX | $73,420 |
| El Paso, TX | $72,690 |
| Killeen-Temple, TX | $70,960 |
| Austin-Round Rock-San Marcos, TX | $60,730 |
- Strong job market — Texas projects about 2,820 annual openings through 2032, with roughly 15% projected employment growth.
- Structured role — The Texas Model organizes counselor work into four clear components across all grade levels.
- Teaching experience no longer required — SB 798 (2023) removed the two-year teaching requirement.
- Moderate to competitive salary — The statewide median is $65,660, with top metros like Houston and Dallas-Fort Worth averaging above $74,000.
Ready to explore your path to becoming a Texas school counselor?
