School Counselor Salary in Greensboro, NC: $56,235 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time school counselor in Greensboro, NC earns a median $56,235/year (≈ $27.03/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 21-1012). Once you factor in Greensboro's price level (7% below national, BEA RPP 92.9), that paycheck buys what $60,556 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 0.0% above the North Carolina state average.
Official BLS data · View source
In 2026, school counselors in Greensboro, North Carolina, can anticipate a median salary of $56,235, reflecting the increasing importance placed on mental health resources in educational settings following the COVID-19 pandemic. The salary range for these professionals extends from $44,274 at the 10th percentile up to $73,046 for those at the 90th percentile. This upward trend in salaries aligns with the growing demand for school counselors, as school districts leverage post-pandemic funding to support mental health initiatives. Data for these figures is derived from 2025 BLS OEWS surveys, projecting further growth in the role of school counselors within Greensboro's education system.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $44,274 | $21.28 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $48,315 | $23.23 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $56,235 | $27.03 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $61,276 | $29.46 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $73,046 | $35.13 |
Median Salary Position
12.59% below the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Greensboro
In Greensboro, NC, the school counselor salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $28,772 (2026 est.). At $56,235, the local median is 12.59% below the national median of $64,335.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in Greensboro: You'd be in the lower-middle range
How Greensboro School Counselor Pay Compares
Greensboro median: $56,235/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Greensboro Pays |
|---|---|---|
| National Average | $64,335 | -12.59% less |
School Counselors in Greensboro, NC earn a median of $56,235 per year (2026 est.), which is 12.59% lower than the national median of $64,335.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Greensboro has a cost of living 7.14% below the national average, meaning your salary goes further here.
Adjusted salary = nominal × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average.
Greensboro, NC has a cost-of-living index of 92.865 (below the national average of 100). A school counselor earning $56,235 nominally has purchasing power equivalent to $60,556 in an average-cost city — an effective 7.68% boost.
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2019 BLS Actual
$52,690
2025 BLS Actual
$55,105
2026 Current Est.
$56,235
2019–2027 Growth
+8.9%
Salary Trajectory for School Counselors in Greensboro (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 2.05% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $52,690 | Actual |
| 2020 | $53,620 | Actual |
| 2021 | $58,520 | Actual |
| 2022 | $50,290 | Actual |
| 2023 | $48,930 | Actual |
| 2024 | $52,900 | Actual |
| 2025 | $55,105 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $56,235 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $57,387 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Greensboro metropolitan area, the median school counselor salary grew 4.6% from $52,690 (2019) to $55,105 (2025). At a 2.05% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $57,387 by 2027 — a total increase of $4,697 (8.91%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Greensboro 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) | $44,274 – $48,315 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $48,315 – $56,235 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $56,235 – $61,276 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $61,276 – $73,046 |
SC, LSC salary ranges estimated from BLS percentile data. Individual school counselor compensation varies by employer, certifications, and specialization.
School Counselor Job Market in Greensboro
The local job market for school counselors remains robust, with approximately 660 professionals employed in various settings. The cost-of-living index in Greensboro stands at 92.865, suggesting that although salaries may appear lower than the national average, the purchasing power for local counselors can be relatively competitive. Among potential employers, K-12 public school districts typically offer the highest compensation, influenced by the step-and-lane pay structure, which factors in years of service and educational attainment. Variations within salaries are also attributable to additional roles such as department heads or stipends for summer programs, further enhancing earning potential. For those looking to maximize their school counselor pay in Greensboro, pursuing advanced degrees or additional certifications can improve placement on the pay scale, making this an attractive strategy as the demand for qualified counselors continues to grow.
More salary data for Greensboro, 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 $55,105 for school counselorsin the Greensboro 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