School Counselor Salary in Gainesville, GA: $60,405 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time school counselor in Gainesville, GA earns a median $60,405/year (≈ $29.04/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 21-1012). Once you factor in Gainesville's price level (3% below national, BEA RPP 96.8), that paycheck buys what $62,424 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 2.7% above the Georgia state average.
Official BLS data · View source
In Gainesville, Georgia, the expansion of mental health funding following the COVID-19 pandemic has significantly influenced the local hiring landscape for school counselors. As a result, the 2026 projected median annual salary stands at $60,405, slightly below the national average of $64,335. This figure reflects the overall salary range for school counselors in the region, which fluctuates from $37,633 at the 10th percentile to $86,928 at the 90th percentile. These estimates, derived from 2025 BLS OEWS data projected to 2026, highlight a strong demand for school counselors, driven by increased funding aimed at addressing mental health needs within educational settings in Gainesville.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $37,633 | $18.09 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $46,525 | $22.37 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $60,405 | $29.04 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $75,217 | $36.17 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $86,928 | $41.79 |
Median Salary Position
6.11% below the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Gainesville
In Gainesville, GA, the school counselor salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $49,295 (2026 est.). At $60,405, the local median is 6.11% below the national median of $64,335.
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At 40 hours/week in Gainesville: You'd be in the lower-middle range
How Gainesville School Counselor Pay Compares
Gainesville median: $60,405/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Gainesville Pays |
|---|---|---|
| Georgia Average | $58,817 | +2.70% more |
| National Average | $64,335 | -6.11% less |
School Counselors in Gainesville, GA earn a median of $60,405 per year (2026 est.), which is 6.11% lower than the national median of $64,335 and 2.70% above the Georgia state average of $58,817.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Gainesville has a cost of living 3.23% below the national average, meaning your salary goes further here.
Adjusted salary = nominal × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average.
Gainesville, GA has a cost-of-living index of 96.766 (below the national average of 100). A school counselor earning $60,405 nominally has purchasing power equivalent to $62,424 in an average-cost city — an effective 3.34% boost.
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2019 BLS Actual
$52,040
2025 BLS Actual
$59,192
2026 Current Est.
$60,405
2019–2027 Growth
+18.5%
Salary Trajectory for School Counselors in Gainesville (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 2.05% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $52,040 | Actual |
| 2020 | $51,340 | Actual |
| 2021 | $49,290 | Actual |
| 2022 | $56,700 | Actual |
| 2023 | $59,970 | Actual |
| 2024 | $62,170 | Actual |
| 2025 | $59,192 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $60,405 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $61,644 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Gainesville metropolitan area, the median school counselor salary grew 13.7% from $52,040 (2019) to $59,192 (2025). At a 2.05% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $61,644 by 2027 — a total increase of $9,604 (18.46%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Gainesville 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) | $37,633 – $46,525 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $46,525 – $60,405 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $60,405 – $75,217 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $75,217 – $86,928 |
SC, LSC salary ranges estimated from BLS percentile data. Individual school counselor compensation varies by employer, certifications, and specialization.
School Counselor Job Market in Gainesville
The job market for school counselors in Gainesville currently supports approximately 210 professionals, providing varied employment opportunities across K-12 public school districts, charter schools, and private institutions. Maintaining a cost-of-living index of 96.766, Gainesville's housing and general expenses are below the national average, which positively affects the purchasing power of school counselor salaries. Local school districts typically employ a step-and-lane pay structure for counselors, where compensation varies according to years of experience and education level. Those interested in maximizing their compensation should consider pursuing additional certifications or advanced degrees, participating in summer programs, or taking on stipend roles—factors which can significantly enhance earnings within this market, particularly as demand for mental health support continues to rise.
More salary data for Gainesville, 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 $59,192 for school counselorsin the Gainesville 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