School Counselor Salary in Savannah, GA: $57,326 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time school counselor in Savannah, GA earns a median $57,326/year (≈ $27.56/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 21-1012). Once you factor in Savannah's price level (5% below national, BEA RPP 95.2), that paycheck buys what $60,213 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 2.5% below the Georgia state average.
Official BLS data · View source
In Savannah, Georgia, school counselors earn a median annual salary of $57,326, which is notably lower than the national median salary of $64,335. The salary range for these positions spans from $45,274 at the 10th percentile to $77,977 at the 90th percentile, indicating a significant variation in pay based on experience, education, and specific responsibilities. Data derived from 2025 BLS OEWS surveys, projected to 2026, reflects the local demand for school counseling professionals. With a counselor-to-student ratio that is considerably higher than the ASCA-recommended 1:250, Savannah faces challenges in adequately supporting its student population, which further accentuates the importance of competitive salaries for attracting and retaining qualified professionals.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $45,274 | $21.77 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $50,175 | $24.12 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $57,326 | $27.56 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $75,677 | $36.38 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $77,977 | $37.48 |
Median Salary Position
10.89% below the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Savannah
In Savannah, GA, the school counselor salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $32,703 (2026 est.). At $57,326, the local median is 10.89% below the national median of $64,335.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in Savannah: You'd be in the lower-middle range
How Savannah School Counselor Pay Compares
Savannah median: $57,326/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Savannah Pays |
|---|---|---|
| Georgia Average | $58,795 | -2.50% less |
| National Average | $64,335 | -10.89% less |
School Counselors in Savannah, GA earn a median of $57,326 per year (2026 est.), which is 10.89% lower than the national median of $64,335 and 2.50% below the Georgia state average of $58,795.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Savannah has a cost of living 4.79% below the national average, meaning your salary goes further here.
Adjusted salary = nominal × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average.
Savannah, GA has a cost-of-living index of 95.206 (below the national average of 100). A school counselor earning $57,326 nominally has purchasing power equivalent to $60,213 in an average-cost city — an effective 5.04% 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
$56,270
2025 BLS Actual
$56,174
2026 Current Est.
$57,326
2019–2027 Growth
+4.0%
Salary Trajectory for School Counselors in Savannah (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 2.05% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $56,270 | Actual |
| 2020 | $56,880 | Actual |
| 2021 | $60,040 | Actual |
| 2022 | $56,760 | Actual |
| 2023 | $60,930 | Actual |
| 2024 | $62,030 | Actual |
| 2025 | $56,174 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $57,326 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $58,501 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Savannah metropolitan area, the median school counselor salary grew -0.2% from $56,270 (2019) to $56,174 (2025). At a 2.05% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $58,501 by 2027 — a total increase of $2,231 (3.96%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Savannah 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) | $45,274 – $50,175 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $50,175 – $57,326 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $57,326 – $75,677 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $75,677 – $77,977 |
SC, LSC salary ranges estimated from BLS percentile data. Individual school counselor compensation varies by employer, certifications, and specialization.
School Counselor Job Market in Savannah
The job market in Savannah employs approximately 660 school counselors, which is a strong indicator of the demand in the area amidst an evolving educational landscape post-COVID. The cost of living index in Savannah, at 95.206, is below the national average, suggesting that counselors may find their take-home purchasing power more effective than in higher-cost areas. K-12 public school districts tend to be the principal employers, often utilizing a step-and-lane pay structure similar to that for teachers. Variations in salary can be influenced by years of experience, education level, and specialized roles, such as department heads or club advisors that come with stipends. For those aiming to maximize their compensation, pursuing advanced degrees and engaging in extended school year contracts could enhance their salary prospects within the Savannah market, effectively addressing the region's pressing need for adequate school counseling services.
More salary data for Savannah, GA:
Frequently Asked Questions
How much do school counselors make in Savannah, GA in 2026?
Is Savannah, GA a good place to work as a school counselor?
Can school counselors make $100K in Savannah?
What is the cost-of-living adjusted school counselor salary in Savannah?
How much does a school counselor make per hour in Savannah?
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 $56,174 for school counselorsin the Savannah 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