School Counselor Salary in Hattiesburg, MS: $53,434 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time school counselor in Hattiesburg, MS earns a median $53,434/year (≈ $25.70/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 21-1012). Once you factor in Hattiesburg's price level (12% below national, BEA RPP 87.6), that paycheck buys what $60,975 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 1.1% below the Mississippi state average.
Official BLS data · View source
In Hattiesburg, Mississippi, the median annual salary for school counselors is projected to be $53,434 in 2026, which is significantly lower than the national median of $64,335. The salaries in this region follow a typical K-12 step-and-lane scale that accounts for educational attainment and years of experience, with ranges spanning from $38,074 at the 10th percentile to $75,927 at the 90th percentile. Derived from 2025 BLS OEWS data, these figures highlight a local job market that may not be as competitive as other areas, reflecting a pressing need for improved compensation given the growing demand for school counselors post-COVID. School districts in Hattiesburg remain essential employers for these professionals, as mental health funding has expanded, creating a pressing need for skilled counselors.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $38,074 | $18.31 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $38,583 | $18.55 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $53,434 | $25.70 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $67,516 | $32.46 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $75,927 | $36.50 |
Median Salary Position
16.94% below the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Hattiesburg
In Hattiesburg, MS, the school counselor salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $37,853 (2026 est.). At $53,434, the local median is 16.94% below the national median of $64,335.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in Hattiesburg: You'd be in the lower-middle range
How Hattiesburg School Counselor Pay Compares
Hattiesburg median: $53,434/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Hattiesburg Pays |
|---|---|---|
| Mississippi Average | $54,029 | -1.10% less |
| National Average | $64,335 | -16.94% less |
School Counselors in Hattiesburg, MS earn a median of $53,434 per year (2026 est.), which is 16.94% lower than the national median of $64,335 and 1.10% below the Mississippi state average of $54,029.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Hattiesburg has a cost of living 12.37% below the national average, meaning your salary goes further here.
Adjusted salary = nominal × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average.
Hattiesburg, MS has a cost-of-living index of 87.633 (below the national average of 100). A school counselor earning $53,434 nominally has purchasing power equivalent to $60,975 in an average-cost city — an effective 14.11% boost.
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2019 BLS Actual
$48,660
2025 BLS Actual
$52,361
2026 Current Est.
$53,434
2019–2027 Growth
+12.1%
Salary Trajectory for School Counselors in Hattiesburg (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 2.05% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $48,660 | Actual |
| 2020 | $43,540 | Actual |
| 2021 | $48,520 | Actual |
| 2022 | $52,540 | Actual |
| 2023 | $57,100 | Actual |
| 2024 | $61,010 | Actual |
| 2025 | $52,361 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $53,434 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $54,530 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Hattiesburg metropolitan area, the median school counselor salary grew 7.6% from $48,660 (2019) to $52,361 (2025). At a 2.05% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $54,530 by 2027 — a total increase of $5,870 (12.06%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Hattiesburg 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) | $38,074 – $38,583 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $38,583 – $53,434 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $53,434 – $67,516 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $67,516 – $75,927 |
SC, LSC salary ranges estimated from BLS percentile data. Individual school counselor compensation varies by employer, certifications, and specialization.
School Counselor Job Market in Hattiesburg
Despite the relatively modest salary levels, Hattiesburg's cost-of-living index is 87.633, suggesting that living expenses are below the national average, which can enhance the purchasing power of local educators. Approximately 150 school counselors currently work in the area, a testament to the region's ongoing investment in mental health support within schools. Among local employers, K-12 public schools tend to offer the most competitive pay, particularly for those with advanced degrees such as master's+30. The spread in salaries largely relates to the district's step-and-lane structure, where more experience and education can lead to higher compensation, including stipends for additional roles or extended contracts. Those looking to maximize their school counselor pay in Hattiesburg might consider pursuing advanced degrees, seeking additional certifications, or considering supplementary duties that can augment their salary.
More salary data for Hattiesburg, MS:
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 $52,361 for school counselorsin the Hattiesburg 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