School Counselor Salary in Cary, NC: $62,785 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time school counselor in Cary, NC earns a median $62,785/year (≈ $30.19/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 21-1012). Once you factor in Cary's price level (6% below national, BEA RPP 93.6), that paycheck buys what $67,078 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 11.6% above the North Carolina state average.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
In Cary, North Carolina, school counselors can expect a median annual salary of $62,785 for 2026, reflecting a 2.05% growth rate from previous estimations. The salary range for these positions varies significantly, with entry-level counselors earning as little as $45,233 and experienced professionals reaching up to $97,317. This compensation data is derived from 2025 BLS data, projected to 2026, and adjusted for regional cost factors. Notably, the local student-counselor ratio, which often exceeds the recommended 1:250 benchmark as set by ASCA, suggests a competitive landscape that could drive salary negotiations in Cary's school counseling market.
About the Cary Market
Salary estimated from North Carolina average ($58,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $45,233 | $21.75 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $50,773 | $24.41 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $62,785 | $30.19 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $80,252 | $38.59 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $97,317 | $46.79 |
Median Salary Position
2.41% below the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Cary
In Cary, NC, the school counselor salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $52,084 (2026 est.). At $62,785, the local median is 2.41% below the national median of $64,335.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in Cary: You'd be in the lower-middle range
How Cary School Counselor Pay Compares
Cary median: $62,785/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Cary Pays |
|---|---|---|
| North Carolina Average | $56,259 | +11.60% more |
| National Average | $64,335 | -2.41% less |
School Counselors in Cary, NC earn a median of $62,785 per year (2026 est.), which is 2.41% lower than the national median of $64,335 and 11.60% above the North Carolina state average of $56,259.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Cary has a cost of living 6.40% below the national average, meaning your salary goes further here.
Adjusted salary = nominal × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average.
Cary, NC has a cost-of-living index of 93.6 (below the national average of 100). A school counselor earning $62,785 nominally has purchasing power equivalent to $67,078 in an average-cost city — an effective 6.84% boost.
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2019 BLS Actual
$54,552
2025 BLS Actual
$61,524
2026 Current Est.
$62,785
2019–2027 Growth
+17.5%
Salary Trajectory for School Counselors in Cary (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 2.05% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $54,552 | Actual |
| 2020 | $55,585 | Actual |
| 2021 | $57,871 | Actual |
| 2022 | $57,517 | Actual |
| 2023 | $59,018 | Actual |
| 2024 | $54,570 | Actual |
| 2025 | $61,524 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $62,785 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $64,072 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Cary metropolitan area, the median school counselor salary grew 12.8% from $54,552 (2019) to $61,524 (2025). At a 2.05% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $64,072 by 2027 — a total increase of $9,520 (17.45%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Cary 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) | $45,233 – $50,773 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $50,773 – $62,785 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $62,785 – $80,252 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $80,252 – $97,317 |
SC, LSC salary ranges estimated from BLS percentile data. Individual school counselor compensation varies by employer, certifications, and specialization.
School Counselor Job Market in Cary
With 44 school counselors employed in the Cary area, job availability appears stable, but the cost of living, reflected in a lower index of 93.6, may enhance purchasing power relative to salaries. Public K-12 schools generally lead in compensation, especially those with advanced funding for mental health initiatives post-COVID. Pay disparities arise from several factors, including salaries tied to educational attainment levels and experience, as campaigned by the traditional step-and-lane salary structure. School counselors aiming to maximize earnings might consider additional credits or certifications, taking on stipended roles like department heads, or seeking contracts for summer programs, thereby enhancing their overall compensation in this thriving district.
More salary data for Cary, NC:
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 $61,524 for school counselorsin the Cary 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 Cary 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