School Counselor Salary in Pearl, MS: $53,520 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time school counselor in Pearl, MS earns a median $53,520/year (≈ $25.73/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 21-1012). Once you factor in Pearl's price level (14% below national, BEA RPP 85.7), that paycheck buys what $62,450 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 0.9% below the Mississippi state average.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
In Pearl, Mississippi, school counselors face a salary landscape marked by an estimated median annual figure of $53,520 in 2026. When compared to the national median of $64,335, this local salary represents a significant gap. The range for school counselor pay in Pearl spans from $38,250 at the 10th percentile to as much as $82,943 for those at the 90th percentile. These figures are derived from 2025 BLS data, projected to 2026, incorporating local data adjustments that account for the region’s economic conditions. The current school counselor-to-student ratio deviates from the American School Counselor Association's recommended 1:250 guideline, a concern that indicates opportunities for further investment in mental health and support services for students.
About the Pearl Market
Salary estimated from Mississippi average ($52,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $38,250 | $18.39 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $42,801 | $20.57 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $53,520 | $25.73 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $67,157 | $32.29 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $82,943 | $39.88 |
Median Salary Position
16.81% below the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Pearl
In Pearl, MS, the school counselor salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $44,693 (2026 est.). At $53,520, the local median is 16.81% below the national median of $64,335.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in Pearl: You'd be in the lower-middle range
How Pearl School Counselor Pay Compares
Pearl median: $53,520/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Pearl Pays |
|---|---|---|
| Mississippi Average | $54,006 | -0.90% less |
| National Average | $64,335 | -16.81% less |
School Counselors in Pearl, MS earn a median of $53,520 per year (2026 est.), which is 16.81% lower than the national median of $64,335 and 0.90% below the Mississippi state average of $54,006.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Pearl has a cost of living 14.30% below the national average, meaning your salary goes further here.
Adjusted salary = nominal × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average.
Pearl, MS has a cost-of-living index of 85.7 (below the national average of 100). A school counselor earning $53,520 nominally has purchasing power equivalent to $62,450 in an average-cost city — an effective 16.69% boost.
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2019 BLS Actual
$46,502
2025 BLS Actual
$52,445
2026 Current Est.
$53,520
2019–2027 Growth
+17.5%
Salary Trajectory for School Counselors in Pearl (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 2.05% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $46,502 | Actual |
| 2020 | $47,382 | Actual |
| 2021 | $49,331 | Actual |
| 2022 | $49,029 | Actual |
| 2023 | $50,309 | Actual |
| 2024 | $44,142 | Actual |
| 2025 | $52,445 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $53,520 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $54,617 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Pearl metropolitan area, the median school counselor salary grew 12.8% from $46,502 (2019) to $52,445 (2025). At a 2.05% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $54,617 by 2027 — a total increase of $8,115 (17.45%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Pearl 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) | $38,250 – $42,801 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $42,801 – $53,520 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $53,520 – $67,157 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $67,157 – $82,943 |
SC, LSC salary ranges estimated from BLS percentile data. Individual school counselor compensation varies by employer, certifications, and specialization.
School Counselor Job Market in Pearl
With a total of six school counselors employed in the area, the job market in Pearl seems relatively small but stable. The cost of living index stands at 85.7, suggesting that while salaries may fall short of national averages, residents' purchasing power may still be viable for their basic needs. K-12 public school districts primarily offer these roles, and factors driving the salary variability include years of experience, education level, and additional responsibilities such as department leadership or summer programming. Those seeking to maximize their school counselor pay in Pearl, MS, could benefit from pursuing an advanced degree, seeking roles that extend beyond traditional school years, or exploring stipend opportunities that recognize specialized contributions within their districts. Given the expanded focus on mental health funding post-COVID, this is an opportune time for dedicated professionals to actively advocate for better compensation structures within local school systems.
More salary data for Pearl, 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 $52,445 for school counselorsin the Pearl 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 Pearl 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