School Counselor Salary in Cartersville, GA: $56,009 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time school counselor in Cartersville, GA earns a median $56,009/year (≈ $26.93/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 21-1012). Once you factor in Cartersville's price level (7% below national, BEA RPP 93.1), that paycheck buys what $60,160 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 4.7% below the Georgia state average.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
With the recent expansion of mental health funding in the wake of the COVID-19 pandemic, Cartersville, Georgia has seen an increased demand for school counselors. In 2026, the median annual salary for school counselors is projected to be $56,009, a figure that sits below the national median of $64,335. The salary range reflects various experience levels, with entry-level positions starting around $40,804 and top earners potentially reaching $83,290. These figures are drawn from estimates based on 2025 BLS OEWS data, adjusted for regional costs. The enhanced focus on mental health resources underscores the importance of school counseling roles in the community, which significantly impacts the job market in Cartersville.
About the Cartersville Market
Salary estimated from Georgia average ($64,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $40,804 | $19.61 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $44,957 | $21.61 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $56,009 | $26.93 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $68,674 | $33.01 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $83,290 | $40.04 |
Median Salary Position
12.94% below the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Cartersville
In Cartersville, GA, the school counselor salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $42,486 (2026 est.). At $56,009, the local median is 12.94% below the national median of $64,335.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in Cartersville: You'd be in the lower-middle range
How Cartersville School Counselor Pay Compares
Cartersville median: $56,009/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Cartersville Pays |
|---|---|---|
| Georgia Average | $58,771 | -4.70% less |
| National Average | $64,335 | -12.94% less |
School Counselors in Cartersville, GA earn a median of $56,009 per year (2026 est.), which is 12.94% lower than the national median of $64,335 and 4.70% below the Georgia state average of $58,771.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Cartersville has a cost of living 6.90% below the national average, meaning your salary goes further here.
Adjusted salary = nominal × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average.
Cartersville, GA has a cost-of-living index of 93.1 (below the national average of 100). A school counselor earning $56,009 nominally has purchasing power equivalent to $60,160 in an average-cost city — an effective 7.41% boost.
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2019 BLS Actual
$48,664
2025 BLS Actual
$54,884
2026 Current Est.
$56,009
2019–2027 Growth
+17.5%
Salary Trajectory for School Counselors in Cartersville (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 2.05% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $48,664 | Actual |
| 2020 | $49,586 | Actual |
| 2021 | $51,625 | Actual |
| 2022 | $51,309 | Actual |
| 2023 | $52,649 | Actual |
| 2024 | $56,755 | Actual |
| 2025 | $54,884 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $56,009 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $57,157 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Cartersville metropolitan area, the median school counselor salary grew 12.8% from $48,664 (2019) to $54,884 (2025). At a 2.05% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $57,157 by 2027 — a total increase of $8,493 (17.45%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Cartersville 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) | $40,804 – $44,957 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $44,957 – $56,009 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $56,009 – $68,674 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $68,674 – $83,290 |
SC, LSC salary ranges estimated from BLS percentile data. Individual school counselor compensation varies by employer, certifications, and specialization.
School Counselor Job Market in Cartersville
As of 2026, only four school counselors are currently employed in Cartersville, indicating a relatively small local job market, coupled with a cost-of-living index of 93.1. This lower index means that the purchasing power of a school counselor's salary goes further than it would in higher-cost areas. Among local employers, K-12 public school districts are likely to offer the most competitive pay, adhering to the traditional step-and-lane salary structure where compensation is determined by years of experience and education level. The pay disparity between lower and higher earners stems from various factors, such as placement within the salary scale based on degrees (like master's versus master's+30), extended contracts for summer programs, and roles that come with additional stipends. Maximizing salary potential in Cartersville involves building experience, seeking advanced degrees, and actively pursuing specialized roles within local school districts to take advantage of existing compensation structures.
More salary data for Cartersville, 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 $54,884 for school counselorsin the Cartersville 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
Salary data for Cartersville 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