School Counselor Hourly Pay in Salisbury, NC: $26.56 (2026)
Quick Answer:Hourly pay for a school counselor working in Salisbury, NC runs $26.56 at the median for 2026 — annualizing to $55,261 at a standard 2,080-hour year. Figures projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 21-1012). Weighted against Salisbury's regional price level (BEA RPP 93.6, 6% below national), each hour of work buys what $28.38 nationally would. A 24-hour part-time schedule grosses $33,151 per year.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
In Salisbury, North Carolina, school counselors earn a median hourly pay of $26.56, which is significantly lower than the national median of $30.93. This hourly rate has implications for those working part-time or in per-diem roles, which are common in educational settings such as elementary classroom guidance, middle school groups, and high school counseling offices. For professionals working three days a week, the earnings can vary greatly, especially as hourly rates range from $18.72 at entry-level positions to $40.69 for more experienced counselors. Such estimates reflect broader annual figures and illustrate the disparity between local compensation and what is observed nationally, highlighting the challenges counselors face in terms of income adequacy in their various settings.
About the Salisbury Market
Salary estimated from North Carolina average ($58,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
School Counselor Hourly Wage Breakdown
| Percentile | Hourly Rate | Per 8hr Shift |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $18.72 | $149.73 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $20.98 | $167.85 |
| Median (P50) | $26.56 | $212.51 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $33.11 | $264.84 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $40.69 | $325.50 |
Estimated Annual Income by Work Schedule in Salisbury
Based on $26.56/hr median hourly rate · 2026 est.
At $26.56/hr, a school counselor working full-time (40 hr/wk) in Salisbury, NC can expect to earn approximately $55,252 per year (2026 est.). Part-time hygienists working 24 hours per week would earn around $31,876. With a cost-of-living index of 93.60 (below the national average), these earnings stretch further in Salisbury.
Hourly Rate Calculator
Schedule Comparison in Salisbury
| Schedule | Weekly | Monthly | Annual |
|---|---|---|---|
| Full-Time (40 hrs) | $1,062.54 | $4,604 | $55,252 |
| Part-Time (24 hrs) | $637.53 | $2,763 | $33,151 |
| Per Diem (16 hrs) | $425.02 | $1,842 | $22,101 |
Compare SC, LSC Wages With Similar Roles
| Role | Median Hourly |
|---|---|
| School Counselor (Salisbury) | $26.56 |
| Mental Health Counselor (National Avg) | $28.69 |
| Social Worker (National Avg) | $29.33 |
| Elementary School Teacher (National Avg) | $32.79 |
| Instructional Coordinator (National Avg) | $36.21 |
School Counselors in Salisbury, NC earn a median of $55,261 per year (2026 est.), which is 14.10% lower than the national median of $64,335 and 1.70% below the North Carolina state average of $56,217.
School Counselor Hourly Pay vs. Cost of Living
Working 24h/week at $26.56/hr = $33,151/year (purchasing power: $35,418).
Working 40h/week (full-time) = $55,252/year (purchasing power: $59,030).
CoL index: 93.6 (100 = national average). Your dollars stretch further here.
2019 BLS Actual
$23.08/hr
2025 BLS Actual
$26.03/hr
2026 Current Est.
$26.56/hr
2019–2027 Growth
+17.5%
Hourly Rate Trajectory for School Counselors in Salisbury (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 2.05% projection.
| Year | Hourly Rate | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $23.08/hr | Actual |
| 2020 | $23.52/hr | Actual |
| 2021 | $24.48/hr | Actual |
| 2022 | $24.33/hr | Actual |
| 2023 | $24.97/hr | Actual |
| 2024 | $25.65/hr | Actual |
| 2025 | $26.03/hr | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $26.56/hr | Estimated |
| 2027 | $27.11/hr | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, the median hourly rate for school counselors in Salisbury grew 12.8% from $23.08/hr (2019) to $26.03/hr (2025). At a 2.05% projected growth rate, hourly pay is expected to reach $27.11/hr by 2027. Part-time and per-diem school counselors can use this multi-year trend to benchmark future contract negotiations.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Salisbury 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.
Working as an Hourly School Counselor in Salisbury
For school counselors in Salisbury, the earning potential can vary quite a bit depending on their employment structure. A part-time counselor working 24 hours a week could take home around $33,076 annually, significantly less than their full-time counterparts who benefit from more hours and potential for additional compensation through summer counseling roles or specialized contracts. Moreover, per diem school counselor pay in Salisbury is generally lower than what private college consultants charge—often between $150 to $400 per hour. Different employer types will also affect pay scales; K-12 public schools and charter schools typically align with the district's step-and-lane pay structure, while private and parochial schools may offer more flexibility. Some choose lower hourly wages in exchange for health benefits—a critical consideration in a field where mental health needs have surged post-COVID, prompting expansion in hiring and funding. Counselors negotiating their hourly pay are encouraged to understand local market trends and be prepared to discuss their experiences and the value they bring to their roles within public, private, or post-secondary educational settings.
More salary data for Salisbury, NC:
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the hourly rate for school counselors in Salisbury in 2026?
How much do part-time school counselors make in Salisbury?
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How much does a full-time school counselor make per year in Salisbury?
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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
Hourly wage figures on this page are 2026 projections based on the Bureau of Labor Statistics Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS) survey, May 2026 release. A 2.05% compound annual growth rate (CAGR), derived from 6-year national BLS wage trends, was applied to estimate current 2026 hourly rates for school counselors in Salisbury. Part-time and full-time income estimates assume consistent weekly hours and do not account for overtime, benefits, or seasonal variation.
Data Sources & Methodology
Salary data for Salisbury 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