School Counselor Salary in Montgomery, AL: $56,845 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time school counselor in Montgomery, AL earns a median $56,845/year (≈ $27.33/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 21-1012). Once you factor in Montgomery's price level (10% below national, BEA RPP 89.7), that paycheck buys what $63,385 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 3.1% below the Alabama state average.
Official BLS data · View source
The role of school counselors in Montgomery, Alabama, is increasingly valued, especially in the wake of expanded mental health funding that followed the COVID-19 pandemic. As of 2026, professionals in this field can expect to earn a median annual salary of $56,845, which is noticeably lower than the national median of $64,335. The salary range for school counselors in Montgomery is quite broad, starting at $36,674 for entry-level positions and reaching up to $81,107 for those with significant experience or advanced qualifications. These projections are derived from official Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) OEWS surveys, reflecting a local job market that is actively investing in counselor support to address pressing mental health needs.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $36,674 | $17.63 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $42,674 | $20.52 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $56,845 | $27.33 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $72,746 | $34.97 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $81,107 | $38.99 |
Median Salary Position
11.64% below the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Montgomery
In Montgomery, AL, the school counselor salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $44,433 (2026 est.). At $56,845, the local median is 11.64% below the national median of $64,335.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in Montgomery: You'd be in the lower-middle range
How Montgomery School Counselor Pay Compares
Montgomery median: $56,845/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Montgomery Pays |
|---|---|---|
| Alabama Average | $58,663 | -3.10% less |
| National Average | $64,335 | -11.64% less |
School Counselors in Montgomery, AL earn a median of $56,845 per year (2026 est.), which is 11.64% lower than the national median of $64,335 and 3.10% below the Alabama state average of $58,663.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Montgomery has a cost of living 10.32% below the national average, meaning your salary goes further here.
Adjusted salary = nominal × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average.
Montgomery, AL has a cost-of-living index of 89.682 (below the national average of 100). A school counselor earning $56,845 nominally has purchasing power equivalent to $63,385 in an average-cost city — an effective 11.5% boost.
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2019 BLS Actual
$49,240
2025 BLS Actual
$55,703
2026 Current Est.
$56,845
2019–2027 Growth
+17.8%
Salary Trajectory for School Counselors in Montgomery (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 2.05% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $49,240 | Actual |
| 2020 | $49,660 | Actual |
| 2021 | $49,980 | Actual |
| 2022 | $58,440 | Actual |
| 2023 | $53,210 | Actual |
| 2024 | $58,750 | Actual |
| 2025 | $55,703 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $56,845 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $58,010 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Montgomery metropolitan area, the median school counselor salary grew 13.1% from $49,240 (2019) to $55,703 (2025). At a 2.05% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $58,010 by 2027 — a total increase of $8,770 (17.81%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Montgomery 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) | $36,674 – $42,674 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $42,674 – $56,845 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $56,845 – $72,746 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $72,746 – $81,107 |
SC, LSC salary ranges estimated from BLS percentile data. Individual school counselor compensation varies by employer, certifications, and specialization.
School Counselor Job Market in Montgomery
Currently, there are about 360 school counselors employed throughout Montgomery, which indicates a stable demand for these professionals in the local education system. With a cost of living index of 89.682, salaries might feel more accessible despite their relative positioning compared to the national average. Among various employers, K-12 public school districts generally offer competitive pay, particularly in higher-cost areas, while charter and private schools may provide alternative compensation structures. Factors that influence salary variation include the step-and-lane pay scale based on experience and education level, with opportunities for increased earnings through extended contract options, summer programs, and stipends for additional roles. For those looking to enhance school counselor pay in Montgomery AL, seeking positions in districts with higher funding allocations and pursuing additional certifications can be effective strategies to drive income potential.
More salary data for Montgomery, 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 $55,703 for school counselorsin the Montgomery 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