School Counselor Salary in Dothan, AL: $59,076 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time school counselor in Dothan, AL earns a median $59,076/year (≈ $28.40/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 21-1012). Once you factor in Dothan's price level (16% below national, BEA RPP 83.8), that paycheck buys what $70,469 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 0.7% above the Alabama state average.
Official BLS data · View source
In Dothan, Alabama, the expansion of mental health funding following the COVID-19 pandemic has positively impacted the hiring of school counselors. As of 2026, the median annual salary for school counselors is projected to be $59,076, which reflects a local market attempting to align with national trends despite falling short of the national median of $64,335. The salary range for this profession in the area varies widely, from $35,353 at the 10th percentile to $77,137 for those reaching the 90th percentile. These figures, derived from 2025 BLS OEWS surveys and projected to 2026, indicate a competitive employment landscape that is keenly aware of the increasing demand for mental health support in educational settings.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $35,353 | $17.00 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $45,004 | $21.63 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $59,076 | $28.40 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $73,757 | $35.46 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $77,137 | $37.08 |
Median Salary Position
8.17% below the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Dothan
In Dothan, AL, the school counselor salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $41,784 (2026 est.). At $59,076, the local median is 8.17% below the national median of $64,335.
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How Dothan School Counselor Pay Compares
Dothan median: $59,076/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Dothan Pays |
|---|---|---|
| Alabama Average | $58,665 | +0.70% more |
| National Average | $64,335 | -8.17% less |
School Counselors in Dothan, AL earn a median of $59,076 per year (2026 est.), which is 8.17% lower than the national median of $64,335 and 0.70% above the Alabama state average of $58,665.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Dothan has a cost of living 16.17% below the national average, meaning your salary goes further here.
Adjusted salary = nominal × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average.
Dothan, AL has a cost-of-living index of 83.833 (below the national average of 100). A school counselor earning $59,076 nominally has purchasing power equivalent to $70,469 in an average-cost city — an effective 19.29% boost.
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2019 BLS Actual
$57,030
2025 BLS Actual
$57,889
2026 Current Est.
$59,076
2019–2027 Growth
+5.7%
Salary Trajectory for School Counselors in Dothan (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 2.05% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $57,030 | Actual |
| 2020 | $57,160 | Actual |
| 2021 | $59,990 | Actual |
| 2022 | $57,350 | Actual |
| 2023 | $60,530 | Actual |
| 2024 | $59,660 | Actual |
| 2025 | $57,889 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $59,076 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $60,287 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Dothan metropolitan area, the median school counselor salary grew 1.5% from $57,030 (2019) to $57,889 (2025). At a 2.05% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $60,287 by 2027 — a total increase of $3,257 (5.71%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Dothan 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.
Salary by Experience Level
| Experience | Estimated Salary Range |
|---|---|
| 0-2 years (New Graduate) | $35,353 – $45,004 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $45,004 – $59,076 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $59,076 – $73,757 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $73,757 – $77,137 |
SC, LSC salary ranges estimated from BLS percentile data. Individual school counselor compensation varies by employer, certifications, and specialization.
School Counselor Job Market in Dothan
With about 100 school counselors employed locally, competitive salaries in Dothan can be significantly influenced by the cost of living index, standing at 83.833, which is below the national average. This lower cost of living can enhance take-home pay, making positions in the area attractive. Among the employers, K-12 public school districts generally offer the most comprehensive options for compensation, with salary variations largely determined by years of experience, educational qualifications, and additional roles such as department heads or club advisors. Understanding the step-and-lane pay structure is essential for maximizing salary potential, as is recognizing the benefits associated with extended school year contracts and participation in summer programs. By strategically pursuing certifications and degrees beyond a master's level, counselors can position themselves for higher compensation opportunities within Dothan’s educational framework.
More salary data for Dothan, AL:
Frequently Asked Questions
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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
Salary figures on this page are 2026 projections based on the Bureau of Labor Statistics Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS) survey, May 2026 release. The BLS reported a median annual salary of $57,889 for school counselorsin the Dothan metropolitan area. A 2.05% compound annual growth rate (CAGR), calculated from 6-year national BLS wage trends, was applied to project current 2026 compensation. Percentile ranges (P10–P90) represent the full salary distribution across experience levels and practice settings in this market.
Data Sources & Methodology
Source: BLS, OEWS, 7-year dataset (–). Per-city data from annual BLS metropolitan area surveys.
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