School Counselor Salary in Statesville, NC: $55,767 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time school counselor in Statesville, NC earns a median $55,767/year (≈ $26.81/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 21-1012). Once you factor in Statesville's price level (6% below national, BEA RPP 93.6), that paycheck buys what $59,580 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 0.8% below the North Carolina state average.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
In 2026, the school counselor salary in Statesville, NC, is projected to be $55,767 annually. While this figure falls short of the national median of $64,335, the salary range for counselors in this area varies from $40,203 at the 10th percentile to $86,439 at the 90th percentile. This variability is reflective of the local hiring demand, which has surged due to expanded funding for mental health initiatives post-COVID. These investments not only aim to improve student well-being but also enhance staffing levels in schools. For those considering a counseling position, the landscape in Statesville suggests promising opportunities, particularly as the field continues to grow.
About the Statesville Market
Salary estimated from North Carolina average ($58,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $40,203 | $19.33 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $44,680 | $21.48 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $55,767 | $26.81 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $71,258 | $34.26 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $86,439 | $41.55 |
Median Salary Position
13.32% below the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Statesville
In Statesville, NC, the school counselor salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $46,236 (2026 est.). At $55,767, the local median is 13.32% below the national median of $64,335.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in Statesville: You'd be in the lower-middle range
How Statesville School Counselor Pay Compares
Statesville median: $55,767/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Statesville Pays |
|---|---|---|
| North Carolina Average | $56,217 | -0.80% less |
| National Average | $64,335 | -13.32% less |
School Counselors in Statesville, NC earn a median of $55,767 per year (2026 est.), which is 13.32% lower than the national median of $64,335 and 0.80% below the North Carolina state average of $56,217.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Statesville 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.
Statesville, NC has a cost-of-living index of 93.6 (below the national average of 100). A school counselor earning $55,767 nominally has purchasing power equivalent to $59,580 in an average-cost city — an effective 6.84% boost.
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2019 BLS Actual
$48,454
2025 BLS Actual
$54,647
2026 Current Est.
$55,767
2019–2027 Growth
+17.5%
Salary Trajectory for School Counselors in Statesville (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 2.05% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $48,454 | Actual |
| 2020 | $49,372 | Actual |
| 2021 | $51,402 | Actual |
| 2022 | $51,088 | Actual |
| 2023 | $52,421 | Actual |
| 2024 | $53,837 | Actual |
| 2025 | $54,647 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $55,767 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $56,910 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Statesville metropolitan area, the median school counselor salary grew 12.8% from $48,454 (2019) to $54,647 (2025). At a 2.05% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $56,910 by 2027 — a total increase of $8,456 (17.45%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Statesville 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) | $40,203 – $44,680 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $44,680 – $55,767 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $55,767 – $71,258 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $71,258 – $86,439 |
SC, LSC salary ranges estimated from BLS percentile data. Individual school counselor compensation varies by employer, certifications, and specialization.
School Counselor Job Market in Statesville
Seven school counselors are currently employed in Statesville, highlighting a relatively small but potentially robust job market. The cost-of-living index for the area stands at 93.6, indicating that while salaries might be lower than the national average, the purchasing power remains competitive. K-12 public school districts tend to offer the most attractive pay, leveraging the step-and-lane pay scale common in education that rewards experience and advanced degrees. Factors such as additional stipends for leadership roles and extended contracts can further influence compensation. To maximize school counselor pay in Statesville, professionals should focus on continuing education and securing positions that might offer bonuses or summer programs. As the local demand for counselors increases, particularly for those equipped to meet mental health challenges, opportunities for growth and advancement in salary will likely enhance.
More salary data for Statesville, 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 $54,647 for school counselorsin the Statesville 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 Statesville 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