School Counselor Salary in Goldsboro, NC: $57,005 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time school counselor in Goldsboro, NC earns a median $57,005/year (≈ $27.40/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 21-1012). Once you factor in Goldsboro's price level (12% below national, BEA RPP 88.5), that paycheck buys what $64,440 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 1.4% above the North Carolina state average.
Official BLS data · View source
In 2026, the projected median salary for school counselors in Goldsboro, NC, is estimated at $57,005, which falls below the national median of $64,335. This discrepancy highlights the local challenges facing school counselors, especially given the recommended American School Counselor Association (ASCA) ratio of 1:250; Goldsboro's ratios may reflect even higher numbers, indicating potential overcapacity and added stress on professionals in this field. The salary range extends from $37,074 at the 10th percentile to $69,977 at the 90th percentile, revealing considerable variation that can impact career progression and financial stability. This data, derived from official Bureau of Labor Statistics OEWS surveys, shows the local job market dynamics, which are influenced by various factors, including educational requirements and years of experience among counselors.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $37,074 | $17.82 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $44,244 | $21.27 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $57,005 | $27.40 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $60,285 | $28.98 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $69,977 | $33.65 |
Median Salary Position
11.39% below the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Goldsboro
In Goldsboro, NC, the school counselor salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $32,903 (2026 est.). At $57,005, the local median is 11.39% below the national median of $64,335.
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At 40 hours/week in Goldsboro: You'd be above the median
How Goldsboro School Counselor Pay Compares
Goldsboro median: $57,005/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Goldsboro Pays |
|---|---|---|
| North Carolina Average | $56,218 | +1.40% more |
| National Average | $64,335 | -11.39% less |
School Counselors in Goldsboro, NC earn a median of $57,005 per year (2026 est.), which is 11.39% lower than the national median of $64,335 and 1.40% above the North Carolina state average of $56,218.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Goldsboro has a cost of living 11.54% below the national average, meaning your salary goes further here.
Adjusted salary = nominal × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average.
Goldsboro, NC has a cost-of-living index of 88.462 (below the national average of 100). A school counselor earning $57,005 nominally has purchasing power equivalent to $64,440 in an average-cost city — an effective 13.04% boost.
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2019 BLS Actual
$53,080
2025 BLS Actual
$55,860
2026 Current Est.
$57,005
2019–2027 Growth
+9.6%
Salary Trajectory for School Counselors in Goldsboro (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 2.05% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $53,080 | Actual |
| 2020 | $54,480 | Actual |
| 2021 | $56,010 | Actual |
| 2022 | $51,370 | Actual |
| 2023 | $52,210 | Actual |
| 2024 | $57,820 | Actual |
| 2025 | $55,860 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $57,005 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $58,174 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Goldsboro metropolitan area, the median school counselor salary grew 5.2% from $53,080 (2019) to $55,860 (2025). At a 2.05% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $58,174 by 2027 — a total increase of $5,094 (9.60%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Goldsboro 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) | $37,074 – $44,244 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $44,244 – $57,005 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $57,005 – $60,285 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $60,285 – $69,977 |
SC, LSC salary ranges estimated from BLS percentile data. Individual school counselor compensation varies by employer, certifications, and specialization.
School Counselor Job Market in Goldsboro
Exploring the local job market reveals approximately 100 school counselors employed within Goldsboro, reflecting a modest demand for this role. Coupled with a cost-of-living index of 88.462, school counselor pay in Goldsboro, NC, can feel stretched, especially given how expenses are rising. The salary differences among employers—such as K-12 public school districts, charter schools, and private institutions—can be driven by the traditional step-and-lane pay scale. This structure rewards experience and educational credentials, which underscores the value of advanced qualifications, such as a master's plus 30 credits or a doctorate. To enhance one’s salary potential, candidates should aim to negotiate roles that include summer programs, stipends for additional responsibilities, and consider obtaining further credentials, which can improve their standings within the district’s pay scale.
More salary data for Goldsboro, 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 $55,860 for school counselorsin the Goldsboro 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