School Counselor Salary in Concord, NC: $60,509 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time school counselor in Concord, NC earns a median $60,509/year (≈ $29.09/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 21-1012). Once you factor in Concord's price level (6% below national, BEA RPP 93.6), that paycheck buys what $64,646 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 7.6% above the North Carolina state average.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
For school counselors in Concord, NC, the projected median annual salary for 2026 is set at $60,509, reflecting a slight dip compared to the national median of $64,335. With a salary range from $40,912 at the lower end (P10) to $93,788 at the upper end (P90), these figures reveal a competitive environment despite the broader national context. The local job market is witnessing an increase in demand for school counselors, particularly in light of the ASCA's recommended counselor-to-student ratio of 1:250, a benchmark that many districts struggle to attain given the national average of 1:385. These estimates are based on 2025 BLS OEWS data, projected to 2026, and take into account regional cost adjustments in Concord, which can affect overall compensation.
About the Concord Market
Salary estimated from North Carolina average ($58,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $40,912 | $19.67 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $46,844 | $22.52 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $60,509 | $29.09 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $77,451 | $37.24 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $93,788 | $45.09 |
Median Salary Position
5.95% below the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Concord
In Concord, NC, the school counselor salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $52,876 (2026 est.). At $60,509, the local median is 5.95% below the national median of $64,335.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in Concord: You'd be in the lower-middle range
How Concord School Counselor Pay Compares
Concord median: $60,509/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Concord Pays |
|---|---|---|
| North Carolina Average | $56,235 | +7.60% more |
| National Average | $64,335 | -5.95% less |
School Counselors in Concord, NC earn a median of $60,509 per year (2026 est.), which is 5.95% lower than the national median of $64,335 and 7.60% above the North Carolina state average of $56,235.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Concord 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.
Concord, NC has a cost-of-living index of 93.6 (below the national average of 100). A school counselor earning $60,509 nominally has purchasing power equivalent to $64,646 in an average-cost city — an effective 6.84% boost.
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2019 BLS Actual
$52,574
2025 BLS Actual
$59,293
2026 Current Est.
$60,509
2019–2027 Growth
+17.5%
Salary Trajectory for School Counselors in Concord (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 2.05% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $52,574 | Actual |
| 2020 | $53,569 | Actual |
| 2021 | $55,772 | Actual |
| 2022 | $55,431 | Actual |
| 2023 | $56,878 | Actual |
| 2024 | $55,728 | Actual |
| 2025 | $59,293 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $60,509 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $61,749 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Concord metropolitan area, the median school counselor salary grew 12.8% from $52,574 (2019) to $59,293 (2025). At a 2.05% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $61,749 by 2027 — a total increase of $9,175 (17.45%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Concord 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) | $40,912 – $46,844 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $46,844 – $60,509 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $60,509 – $77,451 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $77,451 – $93,788 |
SC, LSC salary ranges estimated from BLS percentile data. Individual school counselor compensation varies by employer, certifications, and specialization.
School Counselor Job Market in Concord
Analyzing the local job market reveals that there are currently 24 school counselors employed in Concord, with salaries influenced by the area's cost of living index of 93.6, indicating a cheaper living environment compared to the national average. This affordability can enhance the purchasing power of school counselor salaries. Among local employers, K-12 public school districts tend to offer competitive pay, often utilizing the step-and-lane structure that compensates based on experience and education levels. Factors such as the years of experience, advanced degrees, and additional responsibilities in summer programs or as department heads can create a broad pay spectrum. To maximize potential earnings in Concord, counselors should consider pursuing further education and taking on leadership roles, especially as the demand for mental health services in schools increases due to funding expansions post-COVID. This strategic approach can help bridge the gap between the lower and upper ends of the salary range and enhance overall career satisfaction.
More salary data for Concord, 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 $59,293 for school counselorsin the Concord 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 Concord 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