School Counselor Salary in Matthews, NC: $55,589 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time school counselor in Matthews, NC earns a median $55,589/year (≈ $26.73/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 21-1012). Once you factor in Matthews's price level (6% below national, BEA RPP 93.6), that paycheck buys what $59,390 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 1.1% below the North Carolina state average.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
In 2026, school counselor pay in Matthews, NC is projected at a median annual salary of $55,589, which is notably below the national median of $64,335, reflecting a significant variance of approximately 13.59%. Counselors in this area typically earn between $39,538 and $85,925 annually. Local estimates derived from state-level BLS data and regional price adjustments indicate a competitive salary range, but the disparity with national figures may influence retention and recruitment. Matthews's school districts often operate with standard step-and-lane pay structures, which take into account years of experience and educational qualifications, impacting the earning potential of school counselors significantly.
About the Matthews Market
Salary estimated from North Carolina average ($58,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $39,538 | $19.01 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $44,314 | $21.31 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $55,589 | $26.73 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $69,616 | $33.47 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $85,925 | $41.31 |
Median Salary Position
13.59% below the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Matthews
In Matthews, NC, the school counselor salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $46,387 (2026 est.). At $55,589, the local median is 13.59% below the national median of $64,335.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in Matthews: You'd be in the lower-middle range
How Matthews School Counselor Pay Compares
Matthews median: $55,589/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Matthews Pays |
|---|---|---|
| North Carolina Average | $56,207 | -1.10% less |
| National Average | $64,335 | -13.59% less |
School Counselors in Matthews, NC earn a median of $55,589 per year (2026 est.), which is 13.59% lower than the national median of $64,335 and 1.10% below the North Carolina state average of $56,207.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Matthews 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.
Matthews, NC has a cost-of-living index of 93.6 (below the national average of 100). A school counselor earning $55,589 nominally has purchasing power equivalent to $59,390 in an average-cost city — an effective 6.84% boost.
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2019 BLS Actual
$48,299
2025 BLS Actual
$54,472
2026 Current Est.
$55,589
2019–2027 Growth
+17.5%
Salary Trajectory for School Counselors in Matthews (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 2.05% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $48,299 | Actual |
| 2020 | $49,214 | Actual |
| 2021 | $51,237 | Actual |
| 2022 | $50,924 | Actual |
| 2023 | $52,253 | Actual |
| 2024 | $53,664 | Actual |
| 2025 | $54,472 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $55,589 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $56,728 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Matthews metropolitan area, the median school counselor salary grew 12.8% from $48,299 (2019) to $54,472 (2025). At a 2.05% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $56,728 by 2027 — a total increase of $8,429 (17.45%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Matthews 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) | $39,538 – $44,314 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $44,314 – $55,589 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $55,589 – $69,616 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $69,616 – $85,925 |
SC, LSC salary ranges estimated from BLS percentile data. Individual school counselor compensation varies by employer, certifications, and specialization.
School Counselor Job Market in Matthews
While there are only eight school counselors employed in Matthews, this small workforce faces a cost-of-living index of 93.6, which suggests that salaries stretch further in this region than they might in higher-cost areas. The main employers in the region include K-12 public schools, which typically follow the traditional step-and-lane salary framework, charter schools, and private institutions. Variations in salary are driven by experience, educational attainment (master's vs. higher degree), and district funding levels, particularly following the expansion of mental health initiatives post-COVID. For counselors aiming to maximize their pay, seeking advanced credentials, securing positions in districts with robust mental health funding, or engaging in stipend roles can enhance their earning potential in Matthews, NC.
More salary data for Matthews, 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 $54,472 for school counselorsin the Matthews 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 Matthews 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