School Counselor Salary in Rocky Mount, NC: $52,275 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time school counselor in Rocky Mount, NC earns a median $52,275/year (≈ $25.13/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 21-1012). Once you factor in Rocky Mount's price level (12% below national, BEA RPP 88.0), that paycheck buys what $59,395 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 7.0% below the North Carolina state average.
Official BLS data · View source
In 2026, school counselors in Rocky Mount, North Carolina are projected to earn a median annual salary of $52,275. This figure represents a significant step towards addressing the increased mental health needs of students in the wake of the COVID-19 pandemic, as funding for such positions has broadened in recent years. With salaries ranging from $42,144 at the 10th percentile to $67,576 at the 90th percentile, the compensation reflects a growing recognition of the importance of these roles in supporting student well-being. Data derived from official Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) OEWS surveys indicates that while the local average is below the national median of $64,335, the job market for school counselors in Rocky Mount remains active, indicating ongoing demand for these critical positions.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $42,144 | $20.26 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $45,434 | $21.84 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $52,275 | $25.13 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $61,085 | $29.37 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $67,576 | $32.49 |
Median Salary Position
18.75% below the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Rocky Mount
In Rocky Mount, NC, the school counselor salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $25,432 (2026 est.). At $52,275, the local median is 18.75% below the national median of $64,335.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in Rocky Mount: You'd be in the lower-middle range
How Rocky Mount School Counselor Pay Compares
Rocky Mount median: $52,275/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Rocky Mount Pays |
|---|---|---|
| North Carolina Average | $56,210 | -7.00% less |
| National Average | $64,335 | -18.75% less |
School Counselors in Rocky Mount, NC earn a median of $52,275 per year (2026 est.), which is 18.75% lower than the national median of $64,335 and 7.00% below the North Carolina state average of $56,210.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Rocky Mount has a cost of living 11.99% below the national average, meaning your salary goes further here.
Adjusted salary = nominal × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average.
Rocky Mount, NC has a cost-of-living index of 88.012 (below the national average of 100). A school counselor earning $52,275 nominally has purchasing power equivalent to $59,395 in an average-cost city — an effective 13.62% boost.
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2019 BLS Actual
$51,270
2025 BLS Actual
$51,225
2026 Current Est.
$52,275
2019–2027 Growth
+4.1%
Salary Trajectory for School Counselors in Rocky Mount (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 2.05% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $51,270 | Actual |
| 2020 | $51,930 | Actual |
| 2021 | $46,840 | Actual |
| 2022 | $47,640 | Actual |
| 2023 | $47,670 | Actual |
| 2024 | $51,630 | Actual |
| 2025 | $51,225 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $52,275 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $53,347 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Rocky Mount metropolitan area, the median school counselor salary grew -0.1% from $51,270 (2019) to $51,225 (2025). At a 2.05% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $53,347 by 2027 — a total increase of $2,077 (4.05%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Rocky Mount 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) | $42,144 – $45,434 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $45,434 – $52,275 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $52,275 – $61,085 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $61,085 – $67,576 |
SC, LSC salary ranges estimated from BLS percentile data. Individual school counselor compensation varies by employer, certifications, and specialization.
School Counselor Job Market in Rocky Mount
The local employment landscape includes approximately 120 school counselors, reflecting a steady market influenced by the area’s cost of living index of 88.012, which is lower than the national average. This environment allows for a relatively favorable purchasing power for school counselor salaries, though it still poses challenges in securing competitive pay. Among various educational institutions in Rocky Mount, K-12 public school districts typically offer the most competitive compensation, driven by established step-and-lane pay structures based on years of experience and educational qualifications. Factors such as advanced degrees and additional roles, including summer programs or stipends for extracurricular activities, further define salary variability. To maximize earning potential in Rocky Mount, school counselors should consider pursuing higher education credentials, seeking leadership roles, and engaging in ongoing professional development aligned with industry standards, especially as outlined by ASCA and CACREP accreditation guidelines.
More salary data for Rocky Mount, 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 $51,225 for school counselorsin the Rocky Mount 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