School Counselor Salary in Dunwoody, GA: $56,977 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time school counselor in Dunwoody, GA earns a median $56,977/year (≈ $27.39/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 21-1012). Once you factor in Dunwoody's price level (7% below national, BEA RPP 93.1), that paycheck buys what $61,200 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 3.1% below the Georgia state average.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
In 2026, the expected compensation for a school counselor in Dunwoody, Georgia, stands at a median annual salary of $56,977. This figure falls below the national median of $64,335, reflecting a local adjustment based on regional economic conditions. For school counselors in Dunwoody, pay ranges from $40,425 at the 10th percentile to a high of $88,314 at the 90th percentile. Local data derived from 2025 BLS figures highlights the significant disparity influenced by educational attainment and experience, particularly influenced by the district's step-and-lane salary schedule, which allocates pay based on years in service and education level. These factors position Dunwoody as a competitive but somewhat lower-paying environment for school counseling professionals when compared to the national standards.
About the Dunwoody Market
Salary estimated from Georgia average ($64,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $40,425 | $19.43 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $44,149 | $21.23 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $56,977 | $27.39 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $72,930 | $35.06 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $88,314 | $42.46 |
Median Salary Position
11.44% below the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Dunwoody
In Dunwoody, GA, the school counselor salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $47,889 (2026 est.). At $56,977, the local median is 11.44% below the national median of $64,335.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in Dunwoody: You'd be in the lower-middle range
How Dunwoody School Counselor Pay Compares
Dunwoody median: $56,977/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Dunwoody Pays |
|---|---|---|
| Georgia Average | $58,799 | -3.10% less |
| National Average | $64,335 | -11.44% less |
School Counselors in Dunwoody, GA earn a median of $56,977 per year (2026 est.), which is 11.44% lower than the national median of $64,335 and 3.10% below the Georgia state average of $58,799.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Dunwoody 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.
Dunwoody, GA has a cost-of-living index of 93.1 (below the national average of 100). A school counselor earning $56,977 nominally has purchasing power equivalent to $61,200 in an average-cost city — an effective 7.41% boost.
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2019 BLS Actual
$49,505
2025 BLS Actual
$55,832
2026 Current Est.
$56,977
2019–2027 Growth
+17.5%
Salary Trajectory for School Counselors in Dunwoody (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 2.05% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $49,505 | Actual |
| 2020 | $50,442 | Actual |
| 2021 | $52,517 | Actual |
| 2022 | $52,195 | Actual |
| 2023 | $53,558 | Actual |
| 2024 | $57,735 | Actual |
| 2025 | $55,832 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $56,977 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $58,145 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Dunwoody metropolitan area, the median school counselor salary grew 12.8% from $49,505 (2019) to $55,832 (2025). At a 2.05% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $58,145 by 2027 — a total increase of $8,640 (17.45%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Dunwoody 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) | $40,425 – $44,149 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $44,149 – $56,977 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $56,977 – $72,930 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $72,930 – $88,314 |
SC, LSC salary ranges estimated from BLS percentile data. Individual school counselor compensation varies by employer, certifications, and specialization.
School Counselor Job Market in Dunwoody
The job market for school counselors in Dunwoody is characterized by 10 active positions, making it a relatively stable field. The cost of living index in the area is 93.1, indicating that expenses are lower than the national average, positively affecting purchasing power for local school counselors. Among the potential employers in Dunwoody, K-12 public school districts typically offer the most competitive salary packages due to their structured compensation models. The spread from entry-level to experienced positions often hinges on the step-and-lane structure, where additional degrees, such as a master's plus 30 credits or a doctorate, can notably enhance pay. Extra responsibilities, such as department head roles or summer program involvement, also contribute to higher earnings. To maximize earning potential, counselors should seek additional certifications or specialized training aligned with the expanded mental health funding resulting from the post-COVID landscape, ensuring they remain competitive in a changing job environment.
More salary data for Dunwoody, 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 $55,832 for school counselorsin the Dunwoody 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 Dunwoody 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