School Counselor Salary in Atlanta, GA: $67,736 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time school counselor in Atlanta, GA earns a median $67,736/year (≈ $32.56/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 21-1012). Once you factor in Atlanta's price level (0% above national, BEA RPP 100.1), that paycheck buys what $67,697 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 15.2% above the Georgia state average.
Official BLS data · View source
In 2026, the school counselor salary in Atlanta is expected to reach a median of $67,736, exceeding the national median of $64,335 by 5.29%. This salary is part of a broader range that starts at $42,583 for entry-level positions and peaks at $106,199 for highly experienced counselors. According to estimates based on 2025 BLS OEWS data, the pay structure for school counselors in this city aligns with the common step-and-lane scale used in K-12 education, where compensation is influenced by both years of experience and educational attainment, including placements for master's and master's+30 qualifications. Given Atlanta's ongoing commitment to mental health initiatives post-COVID, the demand for qualified school counselors continues to rise, further contributing to competitive salaries in the region.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $42,583 | $20.47 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $51,505 | $24.76 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $67,736 | $32.56 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $92,308 | $44.37 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $106,199 | $51.06 |
Median Salary Position
5.29% above the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Atlanta
In Atlanta, GA, the school counselor salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $63,616 (2026 est.). At $67,736, the local median is 5.29% above the national median of $64,335.
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At 40 hours/week in Atlanta: You'd be in the lower-middle range
How Atlanta School Counselor Pay Compares
Atlanta median: $67,736/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Atlanta Pays |
|---|---|---|
| Georgia Average | $58,798 | +15.20% more |
| National Average | $64,335 | +5.29% more |
School Counselors in Atlanta, GA earn a median of $67,736 per year (2026 est.), which is 5.29% higher than the national median of $64,335 and 15.20% above the Georgia state average of $58,798.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Atlanta has a cost of living 0.06% above the national average.
Adjusted salary = nominal × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average.
Atlanta, GA has a cost-of-living index of 100.058 (above the national average of 100). While the nominal salary of $67,736 is competitive, the higher cost of living reduces purchasing power to an effective $67,697 — a 0.06% reduction.
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2019 BLS Actual
$59,220
2025 BLS Actual
$66,375
2026 Current Est.
$67,736
2019–2027 Growth
+16.7%
Salary Trajectory for School Counselors in Atlanta (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 2.05% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $59,220 | Actual |
| 2020 | $60,060 | Actual |
| 2021 | $62,400 | Actual |
| 2022 | $62,070 | Actual |
| 2023 | $64,240 | Actual |
| 2024 | $68,240 | Actual |
| 2025 | $66,375 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $67,736 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $69,124 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Atlanta metropolitan area, the median school counselor salary grew 12.1% from $59,220 (2019) to $66,375 (2025). At a 2.05% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $69,124 by 2027 — a total increase of $9,904 (16.72%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Atlanta 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) | $42,583 – $51,505 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $51,505 – $67,736 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $67,736 – $92,308 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $92,308 – $106,199 |
SC, LSC salary ranges estimated from BLS percentile data. Individual school counselor compensation varies by employer, certifications, and specialization.
School Counselor Job Market in Atlanta
With approximately 6,550 school counselors employed across various educational settings in Atlanta, the job market appears robust. However, the cost of living index stands at 100.058, which slightly exceeds the national average and can impact the effective purchasing power of salaries. Among the various employers, K-12 public school districts generally offer higher compensation compared to private institutions and charter schools; those in specialized roles or with additional responsibilities, such as leading summer programs or serving as department heads, may see further salary enhancements. Factors contributing to the wide disparity in pay include the step-and-lane salary structure, the impact of local living costs, and the educational background of counselors, particularly as master's+30 and doctoral credentials are often rewarded with higher placements. For those considering employment in Atlanta, pursuing advanced degrees and seeking out positions with extended contracts or stipended roles can be effective strategies to maximize school counselor pay in this evolving market.
More salary data for Atlanta, GA:
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 $66,375 for school counselorsin the Atlanta 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