School Counselor Salary in Winston, NC: $55,795 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time school counselor in Winston, NC earns a median $55,795/year (≈ $26.82/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 21-1012). Once you factor in Winston's price level (8% below national, BEA RPP 92.0), that paycheck buys what $60,618 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 0.8% below the North Carolina state average.
Official BLS data · View source
In Winston, NC, school counselors can anticipate a median salary of $55,795 in 2026, which remains notably lower than the national median of $64,335. The salary spectrum for school counselors here extends from $38,954 at the 10th percentile up to $83,018 at the 90th percentile. This compensation data is derived from official Bureau of Labor Statistics OEWS surveys and reflects the district's step-and-lane salary scale, which rewards experience and education. Counselors with a master's degree or those who have pursued further education, such as a master's+30, typically find themselves in a favorable position as they navigate this pay scale. As Winston's job market continues to evolve, understanding salary trends and the implications of funding for mental health initiatives is crucial for aspiring school counselors.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $38,954 | $18.73 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $46,825 | $22.51 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $55,795 | $26.82 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $60,695 | $29.19 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $83,018 | $39.91 |
Median Salary Position
13.27% below the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Winston
In Winston, NC, the school counselor salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $44,064 (2026 est.). At $55,795, the local median is 13.27% below the national median of $64,335.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in Winston: You'd be in the lower-middle range
How Winston School Counselor Pay Compares
Winston median: $55,795/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Winston Pays |
|---|---|---|
| North Carolina Average | $56,245 | -0.80% less |
| National Average | $64,335 | -13.27% less |
School Counselors in Winston, NC earn a median of $55,795 per year (2026 est.), which is 13.27% lower than the national median of $64,335 and 0.80% below the North Carolina state average of $56,245.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Winston has a cost of living 7.96% below the national average, meaning your salary goes further here.
Adjusted salary = nominal × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average.
Winston, NC has a cost-of-living index of 92.043 (below the national average of 100). A school counselor earning $55,795 nominally has purchasing power equivalent to $60,618 in an average-cost city — an effective 8.64% boost.
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2019 BLS Actual
$52,570
2025 BLS Actual
$54,674
2026 Current Est.
$55,795
2019–2027 Growth
+8.3%
Salary Trajectory for School Counselors in Winston (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 2.05% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $52,570 | Actual |
| 2020 | $52,690 | Actual |
| 2021 | $49,590 | Actual |
| 2022 | $49,660 | Actual |
| 2023 | $52,870 | Actual |
| 2024 | $54,310 | Actual |
| 2025 | $54,674 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $55,795 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $56,939 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Winston metropolitan area, the median school counselor salary grew 4.0% from $52,570 (2019) to $54,674 (2025). At a 2.05% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $56,939 by 2027 — a total increase of $4,369 (8.31%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Winston 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) | $38,954 – $46,825 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $46,825 – $55,795 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $55,795 – $60,695 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $60,695 – $83,018 |
SC, LSC salary ranges estimated from BLS percentile data. Individual school counselor compensation varies by employer, certifications, and specialization.
School Counselor Job Market in Winston
Winston's local job market shows a healthy employment level for school counselors, with approximately 540 professionals currently working in the area. The cost of living index sits at 92.043, indicating that living expenses are below the national average, which can enhance overall purchasing power for counselors. Among the various educational institutions, K-12 public school districts generally offer the most competitive pay, driven by the established step-and-lane scale that compensates for years of experience and educational attainment. Factors contributing to pay discrepancies include the differences in placement across education levels, high-cost salary adjustments, and availability of additional stipends for roles such as department heads or club advisors. Maximizing pay in Winston requires careful navigation through the local market, including seeking opportunities for further education, applying for summer positions, and pursuing leadership roles within schools. Given the increased demand for counselors due to expanded mental health funding post-COVID, now might be an optimal time for professionals to advance their careers in this supportive community.
More salary data for Winston, 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 $54,674 for school counselorsin the Winston 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