School Counselor Salary in Raleigh, NC: $63,085 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time school counselor in Raleigh, NC earns a median $63,085/year (≈ $30.33/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 21-1012). Once you factor in Raleigh's price level (2% below national, BEA RPP 98.2), that paycheck buys what $64,269 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 12.2% above the North Carolina state average.
Official BLS data · View source
School counselors in Raleigh, NC, are projected to earn a median salary of $63,085 in 2026, which is slightly below the national median of $64,335. The salary range for this profession varies widely, with entry-level positions starting at $45,654 (P10) and experienced counselors potentially earning up to $76,436 (P90). Based on 2025 BLS OEWS data, projected to 2026, these figures highlight the compensation landscape for school counselors in the region, where high counselor-to-student ratios, currently above the recommended 1:250 benchmark by ASCA, have influenced hiring patterns. The potential for increased mental health funding in the wake of post-COVID challenges may further impact both the demand for school counselors and their overall job market dynamics in Raleigh.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $45,654 | $21.95 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $52,475 | $25.24 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $63,085 | $30.33 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $73,157 | $35.18 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $76,436 | $36.76 |
Median Salary Position
1.94% below the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Raleigh
In Raleigh, NC, the school counselor salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $30,782 (2026 est.). At $63,085, the local median is 1.94% below the national median of $64,335.
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How Raleigh School Counselor Pay Compares
Raleigh median: $63,085/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Raleigh Pays |
|---|---|---|
| North Carolina Average | $56,226 | +12.20% more |
| National Average | $64,335 | -1.94% less |
School Counselors in Raleigh, NC earn a median of $63,085 per year (2026 est.), which is 1.94% lower than the national median of $64,335 and 12.20% above the North Carolina state average of $56,226.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Raleigh has a cost of living 1.84% below the national average, meaning your salary goes further here.
Adjusted salary = nominal × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average.
Raleigh, NC has a cost-of-living index of 98.157 (below the national average of 100). A school counselor earning $63,085 nominally has purchasing power equivalent to $64,269 in an average-cost city — an effective 1.88% boost.
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2019 BLS Actual
$57,060
2025 BLS Actual
$61,818
2026 Current Est.
$63,085
2019–2027 Growth
+12.8%
Salary Trajectory for School Counselors in Raleigh (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 2.05% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $57,060 | Actual |
| 2020 | $57,870 | Actual |
| 2021 | $61,340 | Actual |
| 2022 | $58,580 | Actual |
| 2023 | $58,950 | Actual |
| 2024 | $62,460 | Actual |
| 2025 | $61,818 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $63,085 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $64,379 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Raleigh metropolitan area, the median school counselor salary grew 8.3% from $57,060 (2019) to $61,818 (2025). At a 2.05% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $64,379 by 2027 — a total increase of $7,319 (12.83%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Raleigh 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) | $45,654 – $52,475 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $52,475 – $63,085 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $63,085 – $73,157 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $73,157 – $76,436 |
SC, LSC salary ranges estimated from BLS percentile data. Individual school counselor compensation varies by employer, certifications, and specialization.
School Counselor Job Market in Raleigh
In terms of local employment, there are approximately 1,320 school counselors in Raleigh, indicating a robust job market. The cost of living index at 98.157 suggests that while salaries may be competitive, their purchasing power is somewhat affected by living expenses. Among various educational institutions, K-12 public school districts typically offer the highest pay, following the step-and-lane structure similar to teachers. Factors contributing to the pay disparity include the counselor’s level of education, years of experience, and whether they hold advanced degrees; those with a doctorate can expect higher placement on the pay scale. To maximize compensation in Raleigh, candidates should consider obtaining advanced qualifications, seeking roles in higher-paying districts, or participating in summer programs and additional stipend positions, thereby increasing their potential earnings.
More salary data for Raleigh, 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 $61,818 for school counselorsin the Raleigh 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