School Counselor Pay

Augusta vs Brookhaven: School Counselor Salary (2026)

Compare school counselor salaries between Augusta, GA and Brookhaven, GA. All figures are 2026 estimates projected from BLS 2025 data.

Augusta, GA
$62,606
$30.10/hr
Brookhaven, GA
$58,798
$28.27/hr

Side-by-Side Comparison

MetricAugusta, GABrookhaven, GA
Median Salary$62,606$58,798
Hourly Rate$30.10$28.27
Entry Level (P10)$42,444$39,896
25th Percentile$50,894$45,527
75th Percentile$80,637$74,151
Top Earner (P90)$82,537$91,137
Total Employed4508
Side-by-side bar chart comparing Augusta ($62,606) and Brookhaven ($58,798) school counselor salaries.AugustaBrookhavenMedian Salary$62,606$58,798Entry Level (P10)$42,444$39,896Top Earner (P90)$82,537$91,137US Median $64,335

Verdict

Augusta, GA offers better overall compensation for school counselors, winning 3 out of 4 metrics compared to Brookhaven.

The salary gap between Augusta and Brookhaven is $3,808 (6.48%). Augusta's median is -2.69% compared to the US national median of $64,335.

Salary Range Comparison

The full salary range (10th to 90th percentile) in Augusta spans $40,093,Brookhaven spans $51,241. Brookhaven has a wider pay range, suggesting more variation in pay between entry-level and experienced school counselors.

Augusta
P10 (Entry)$42,444
P25$50,894
Median$62,606
P75$80,637
P90 (Top)$82,537
Brookhaven
P10 (Entry)$39,896
P25$45,527
Median$58,798
P75$74,151
P90 (Top)$91,137

Cost-of-Living Adjusted Comparison

After cost-of-living adjustment, Augusta ($68,122 effective) pays 7.86% more than Brookhaven ($63,156 effective).

Augusta
Nominal: $62,606
CoL Index: 91.903
Adjusted: $68,122
Brookhaven
Nominal: $58,798
CoL Index: 93.1
Adjusted: $63,156

Cost-of-living adjustment: salary × (100 / CoL index). Index of 100 = national average.

Which City Is Right for You?

Choose Augusta if…

  • Higher median salary ($62,606/year)
  • Larger job market (450 employed)
  • Better purchasing power (CoL-adjusted: $68,122)
  • You prefer the Georgia area and lifestyle

Choose Brookhaven if…

  • Better top-earner potential ($91,137)
  • You prefer the Georgia area and lifestyle

Historical Salary Growth Comparison

Based on BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, school counselor salaries in Augusta grew 5.8% from 2019 to 2025, compared to -3.3% growth in Brookhaven over the same period.

Augusta, GA

+5.8%

$57,970 (2019) → $61,348 (2025)

Brookhaven, GA

+-3.3%

$59,580 (2024) → $57,617 (2025)

View Full Salary Data

Frequently Asked Questions

Which city pays school counselors more: Augusta or Brookhaven?

Augusta has a higher median school counselor salary at $62,606/year, compared to Brookhaven at $58,798/year — a difference of $3,808 (6.48%).

What is the hourly rate difference between Augusta and Brookhaven?

Augusta school counselors earn $30.10/hr while Brookhaven hygienists earn $28.27/hr (2026 est.).

Should I relocate from Augusta to Brookhaven as a school counselor?

Consider more than just salary when comparing Augusta and Brookhaven. Factor in cost of living (CoL-adjusted: Augusta = $68,122, Brookhaven = $63,156), job availability (450 vs 8 employed), commute, and career growth potential.

What do entry-level school counselors earn in Augusta vs Brookhaven?

Entry-level (10th percentile) school counselors earn $42,444 in Augusta and $39,896 in Brookhaven. The Augusta area offers higher starting salaries.

Related Comparisons

MG

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.

Clinically reviewed by James Patel, M.A.Data verified by Linda Chen, LPC

Methodology & Data Source

All salary figures are 2026 projections based on BLS OEWS May 2025 data. A 2.05% CAGR (derived from 6-year national BLS trends) was applied to estimate current compensation. Cost-of-living adjustments use BEA Regional Price Parity data. Actual salaries vary by employer, certifications, and experience.

Data Sources & Methodology

Source: BLS, OEWS , released .

Compiled and verified by Maria Gonzalez, M.Ed., a licensed school counselor with 10+ years of clinical experience. · View source data at BLS.gov