School Counselor Salary in North Carolina: $58,510 (2026)
Quick Answer:Across North Carolina's 45 metropolitan areas, the average median school counselor pay sits at $58,510/year heading into 2026 — a figure projected from 2025 BLS OEWS wage data for SOC 21-1012. Because North Carolina sits at BEA RPP 93.6 (6% below the U.S. baseline), that statewide median translates to roughly $62,511 in nationally-comparable purchasing power. Highest-paying metros: Raleigh ($61,818), Cary ($61,524), Concord ($59,293).
In 2026, the average median salary for school counselors in North Carolina is projected to be $58,510, which is 9.1% lower than the national median of $64,335. The salary range across the state varies significantly, with Raleigh offering the highest pay at $63,085, while Leland has the lowest at $52,220. This disparity in pay can be attributed to several factors, including cost of living, funding for schools, and local demand for counseling services. North Carolina requires school counselors to hold a license, which mandates a master's degree and specific training in counseling, influencing the overall job market. The demand for school counselors in the state remains strong, projected to grow at a rate of 2.05% annually. Major metropolitan areas like Cary ($62,785), Concord ($60,509), Charlotte ($59,535), and Burlington ($59,195) also reflect the regional variations in salary, closely linked to local educational budgets and the student-to-counselor ratio. As educators increasingly recognize the importance of mental health and academic counseling, the role of school counselors continues to evolve, reinforcing the demand in the market. Those entering this profession in North Carolina can expect a stable job outlook, yet should be aware of the salary differences across regions.
North Carolina School Counselor Salary Range
Overall salary range in North Carolina: $37,074 (lowest entry-level) to $97,317 (highest top earner)
North Carolina vs National Average
North Carolina school counselors earn 9.05% less than the national median ($-5,825/year difference).
North Carolina School Counselor Salary Distribution (2026)
School Counselor salaries in North Carolina range from $42,022 (entry-level, 10th percentile) to $75,089 (top earners, 90th percentile), with a median of $58,510. The North Carolina median is $5,825 below the US national median of $64,335. The average hourly rate is $28.13/hr. Approximately 7,704 school counselors are employed across 45 cities.
2019 BLS Actual
$52,389
2025 BLS Actual
$57,335
2026 Current Est.
$58,510
2019–2027 Growth
+14.0%
Salary Trajectory for School Counselors in North Carolina (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 2.05% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $52,389 | Actual |
| 2020 | $54,280 | Actual |
| 2021 | $53,432 | Actual |
| 2022 | $52,816 | Actual |
| 2023 | $54,482 | Actual |
| 2024 | $58,013 | Actual |
| 2025 | $57,335 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $58,510 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $59,710 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the North Carolina metropolitan area, the median school counselor salary grew 9.4% from $52,389 (2019) to $57,335 (2025). At a 2.05% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $59,710 by 2027 — a total increase of $7,321 (13.97%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the North Carolina 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.
Top 5 Highest Paying Cities in North Carolina
Lowest Paying Cities in North Carolina
| City | Median Salary |
|---|---|
| Leland | $52,220 |
| Rocky Mount | $52,275 |
| Carrboro | $53,003 |
| Indian Trail | $53,210 |
| Boone | $53,674 |
Best Value Cities for School Counselors in North Carolina
When adjusted for local cost of living, these North Carolina cities offer the most purchasing power for school counselors.
| City | Nominal Salary | CoL Index | Adjusted Salary |
|---|---|---|---|
| Cary | $62,785 | 93.6 | $67,078 |
| Pinehurst | $57,165 | 88.336 | $64,713 |
| Concord | $60,509 | 93.6 | $64,646 |
| Goldsboro | $57,005 | 88.462 | $64,440 |
| Raleigh | $63,085 | 98.157 | $64,269 |
Adjusted salary = nominal salary × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average. Lower index = lower cost of living.
Salary by Experience Level in North Carolina
| Experience Level | Estimated Annual |
|---|---|
| Entry Level (0-2 years) | $42,022 |
| Mid Career (3-7 years) | $58,510 |
| Experienced (7+ years) | $75,089 |
Estimates based on BLS percentile data averaged across North Carolina metro areas. Individual pay varies by employer, certifications, and specialization.
All 45 Cities in North Carolina
| # | City | Median Salary |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Raleigh | $63,085 |
| 2 | Cary | $62,785 |
| 3 | Concord | $60,509 |
| 4 | Charlotte | $59,535 |
| 5 | Burlington | $59,195 |
| 6 | Chapel Hill | $58,954 |
| 7 | Durham | $58,465 |
| 8 | Winston-Salem | $58,281 |
| 9 | Gastonia | $58,265 |
| 10 | Fayetteville | $57,585 |
| 11 | Pinehurst | $57,165 |
| 12 | Goldsboro | $57,005 |
| 13 | Huntersville | $56,837 |
| 14 | Kannapolis | $56,748 |
| 15 | Apex | $56,614 |
| 16 | Greensboro | $56,235 |
| 17 | Jacksonville | $55,975 |
| 18 | Wilmington | $55,895 |
| 19 | Hickory | $55,875 |
| 20 | Winston | $55,795 |
| 21 | Statesville | $55,767 |
| 22 | Kernersville | $55,719 |
| 23 | Asheville | $55,705 |
| 24 | Matthews | $55,589 |
| 25 | Cornelius | $55,493 |
| 26 | Sanford | $55,445 |
| 27 | Wake Forest | $55,443 |
| 28 | Morrisville | $55,418 |
| 29 | High Point | $55,368 |
| 30 | Fuquay-Varina | $55,270 |
| 31 | Salisbury | $55,261 |
| 32 | Thomasville | $55,169 |
| 33 | New Bern | $55,148 |
| 34 | Mint Hill | $55,135 |
| 35 | Greenville | $54,484 |
| 36 | Holly Springs | $54,262 |
| 37 | Mooresville | $54,092 |
| 38 | Monroe | $54,070 |
| 39 | Garner | $53,948 |
| 40 | Wilson | $53,908 |
| 41 | Boone | $53,674 |
| 42 | Indian Trail | $53,210 |
| 43 | Carrboro | $53,003 |
| 44 | Rocky Mount | $52,275 |
| 45 | Leland | $52,220 |
More North Carolina Salary Data
Compare Cities in North Carolina
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Frequently Asked Questions
How much do school counselors make in North Carolina in 2026?
What is the highest paying city for school counselors in North Carolina?
How does North Carolina school counselor pay compare to the national average?
What is the entry-level school counselor salary in North Carolina?
How many school counselors are employed in North Carolina?
Which North Carolina city offers the best value for school counselors?
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
Statewide 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. A 2.05% compound annual growth rate (CAGR), derived from 6-year national BLS wage trends, was applied to each metro area's reported salary to estimate current 2026 school counselor compensation across North Carolina. State averages are employment-weighted across 45 metro areas — larger metro areas with more school counselorscontribute proportionally more to the average, producing figures that better reflect typical compensation. Individual pay varies by city, employer, certifications, and experience.
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