School Counselor Salary in Pooler, GA: $58,089 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time school counselor in Pooler, GA earns a median $58,089/year (≈ $27.93/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 21-1012). Once you factor in Pooler's price level (7% below national, BEA RPP 93.1), that paycheck buys what $62,394 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 1.2% below the Georgia state average.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
In 2026, school counselors in Pooler, Georgia, can expect a median annual salary of $58,089, which is notably below the national median of $64,335. The salary spectrum ranges from $39,753 at the 10th percentile to $89,573 at the 90th percentile, indicating a significant variance in compensation based on experience and education level. These figures are derived from projected estimates based on 2025 BLS state-level data and regional price adjustments. Educators in this district typically follow a step-and-lane pay scale, meaning those with master's degrees and additional qualifications often find themselves positioned at higher pay levels, which reflects their years of service and educational attainment. Given Pooler’s relatively stable job market, school counselors have opportunities to advance their careers significantly.
About the Pooler Market
Salary estimated from Georgia average ($64,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $39,753 | $19.11 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $48,510 | $23.32 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $58,089 | $27.93 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $72,791 | $34.99 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $89,573 | $43.07 |
Median Salary Position
9.71% below the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Pooler
In Pooler, GA, the school counselor salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $49,820 (2026 est.). At $58,089, the local median is 9.71% below the national median of $64,335.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in Pooler: You'd be in the lower-middle range
How Pooler School Counselor Pay Compares
Pooler median: $58,089/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Pooler Pays |
|---|---|---|
| Georgia Average | $58,794 | -1.20% less |
| National Average | $64,335 | -9.71% less |
School Counselors in Pooler, GA earn a median of $58,089 per year (2026 est.), which is 9.71% lower than the national median of $64,335 and 1.20% below the Georgia state average of $58,794.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Pooler 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.
Pooler, GA has a cost-of-living index of 93.1 (below the national average of 100). A school counselor earning $58,089 nominally has purchasing power equivalent to $62,394 in an average-cost city — an effective 7.41% boost.
Compare Purchasing Power
Select a city to see how your salary compares after cost of living
Select a city above to compare purchasing power
2019 BLS Actual
$50,471
2025 BLS Actual
$56,922
2026 Current Est.
$58,089
2019–2027 Growth
+17.5%
Salary Trajectory for School Counselors in Pooler (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 2.05% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $50,471 | Actual |
| 2020 | $51,427 | Actual |
| 2021 | $53,542 | Actual |
| 2022 | $53,215 | Actual |
| 2023 | $54,604 | Actual |
| 2024 | $58,862 | Actual |
| 2025 | $56,922 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $58,089 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $59,280 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Pooler metropolitan area, the median school counselor salary grew 12.8% from $50,471 (2019) to $56,922 (2025). At a 2.05% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $59,280 by 2027 — a total increase of $8,809 (17.45%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Pooler 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) | $39,753 – $48,510 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $48,510 – $58,089 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $58,089 – $72,791 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $72,791 – $89,573 |
SC, LSC salary ranges estimated from BLS percentile data. Individual school counselor compensation varies by employer, certifications, and specialization.
School Counselor Job Market in Pooler
At present, the local employment landscape includes approximately six school counselors, highlighting a concentrated job market that could impact competition for positions. With a cost-of-living index of 93.1, salaries stretch further in Pooler compared to many higher-cost urban areas, allowing for better purchasing power despite lower salary figures. Among potential employers, K-12 public school districts usually offer the most competitive pay, given their structured pay scales. The gap between the lowest and highest salaries can be attributed to various factors, including experience, additional credentials, and roles like department heads or club advisors that carry extra stipends. For counselors aiming to maximize their earnings in Pooler, pursuing advanced degrees or certifications could prove advantageous, aligning with the recent increases in mental health funding that encourage hiring and retention in the school counseling field. Understanding the specific salary structures of local employers and seeking additional responsibilities can further enhance earning potential.
More salary data for Pooler, GA:
Frequently Asked Questions
How much do school counselors make in Pooler, GA in 2026?
Is Pooler, GA a good place to work as a school counselor?
Can school counselors make $100K in Pooler?
What is the cost-of-living adjusted school counselor salary in Pooler?
How much does a school counselor make per hour in Pooler?
Related Pages
Compare Salaries
Career Resources
Nearby Cities in Georgia
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 $56,922 for school counselorsin the Pooler 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 Pooler 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