School Counselor Salary in Florence, AL: $58,255 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time school counselor in Florence, AL earns a median $58,255/year (≈ $28.00/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 21-1012). Once you factor in Florence's price level (15% below national, BEA RPP 84.8), that paycheck buys what $68,683 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 0.7% below the Alabama state average.
Official BLS data · View source
In 2026, school counselors in Florence, Alabama, are projected to earn a median salary of $58,255, which reflects a local commitment to enhancing mental health support in schools amidst the ongoing effects of post-COVID funding expansions. Salary ranges for school counselors in the area show significant variability, with the bottom 10% making approximately $35,874, while the top 90% can earn upwards of $77,647. These figures, derived from the official Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) OEWS surveys, highlight a competitive local market responding to increased demands for mental health resources in educational settings. With expanding roles for school counselors, particularly in light of the American School Counselor Association (ASCA) recommendation for a 1:250 student-to-counselor ratio, Florence's employment opportunities are poised for growth.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $35,874 | $17.25 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $44,334 | $21.31 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $58,255 | $28.00 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $73,646 | $35.41 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $77,647 | $37.33 |
Median Salary Position
9.45% below the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Florence
In Florence, AL, the school counselor salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $41,773 (2026 est.). At $58,255, the local median is 9.45% below the national median of $64,335.
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At 40 hours/week in Florence: You'd be above the median
How Florence School Counselor Pay Compares
Florence median: $58,255/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Florence Pays |
|---|---|---|
| Alabama Average | $58,666 | -0.70% less |
| National Average | $64,335 | -9.45% less |
School Counselors in Florence, AL earn a median of $58,255 per year (2026 est.), which is 9.45% lower than the national median of $64,335 and 0.70% below the Alabama state average of $58,666.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Florence has a cost of living 15.18% below the national average, meaning your salary goes further here.
Adjusted salary = nominal × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average.
Florence, AL has a cost-of-living index of 84.817 (below the national average of 100). A school counselor earning $58,255 nominally has purchasing power equivalent to $68,683 in an average-cost city — an effective 17.9% boost.
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2019 BLS Actual
$52,120
2025 BLS Actual
$57,085
2026 Current Est.
$58,255
2019–2027 Growth
+14.1%
Salary Trajectory for School Counselors in Florence (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 2.05% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $52,120 | Actual |
| 2020 | $57,470 | Actual |
| 2021 | $48,820 | Actual |
| 2022 | $55,960 | Actual |
| 2023 | $55,120 | Actual |
| 2024 | $50,740 | Actual |
| 2025 | $57,085 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $58,255 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $59,449 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Florence metropolitan area, the median school counselor salary grew 9.5% from $52,120 (2019) to $57,085 (2025). At a 2.05% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $59,449 by 2027 — a total increase of $7,329 (14.06%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Florence 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) | $35,874 – $44,334 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $44,334 – $58,255 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $58,255 – $73,646 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $73,646 – $77,647 |
SC, LSC salary ranges estimated from BLS percentile data. Individual school counselor compensation varies by employer, certifications, and specialization.
School Counselor Job Market in Florence
In Florence, 140 individuals are currently employed as school counselors, and their earning potential is influenced significantly by the local cost of living index, which stands at 84.817—substantially beneath the national average. This favorable cost-of-living ratio enhances the take-home purchasing power for counselors, allowing for a more comfortable lifestyle despite salaries that trail the national median. Among local employers, K-12 public school districts typically offer the highest pay, following the established step-and-lane pay scale that increases compensation based on years of experience and educational credentials. The spread between low and high salaries in Florence can be attributed to various factors, including specialized roles and extended contract opportunities that some districts provide. School counselors in Florence seeking to maximize their pay should consider advancing their education or pursuing additional certifications, as these qualifications can significantly impact their placement on the pay scale. Additionally, engaging in leadership roles, such as becoming department heads or advising extracurricular activities, can lead to further financial incentives.
More salary data for Florence, 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 $57,085 for school counselorsin the Florence 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