School Counselor Salary in Lexington, SC: $57,628 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time school counselor in Lexington, SC earns a median $57,628/year (≈ $27.71/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 21-1012). Once you factor in Lexington's price level (8% below national, BEA RPP 91.5), that paycheck buys what $62,981 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 5.5% below the South Carolina state average.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
In Lexington, SC, the expanding focus on mental health funding in schools has catalyzed an uptick in hiring, raising the current median annual school counselor salary to $57,628. The local pay range for school counselors spans from $40,900 at the 10th percentile to $86,755 at the 90th percentile, reflecting a varied compensation landscape. These salary estimates are based on 2025 BLS data, projected to 2026, with adjustments to account for regional price differences. Despite the positive growth in the field, compensation in Lexington still lags approximately 10.43% behind the national median, signaling a gap that local educators may need to address in securing competitive wages.
About the Lexington Market
Salary estimated from South Carolina average ($58,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $40,900 | $19.67 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $45,652 | $21.95 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $57,628 | $27.71 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $71,313 | $34.29 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $86,755 | $41.71 |
Median Salary Position
10.43% below the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Lexington
In Lexington, SC, the school counselor salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $45,855 (2026 est.). At $57,628, the local median is 10.43% below the national median of $64,335.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in Lexington: You'd be in the lower-middle range
How Lexington School Counselor Pay Compares
Lexington median: $57,628/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Lexington Pays |
|---|---|---|
| South Carolina Average | $60,982 | -5.50% less |
| National Average | $64,335 | -10.43% less |
School Counselors in Lexington, SC earn a median of $57,628 per year (2026 est.), which is 10.43% lower than the national median of $64,335 and 5.50% below the South Carolina state average of $60,982.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Lexington has a cost of living 8.50% below the national average, meaning your salary goes further here.
Adjusted salary = nominal × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average.
Lexington, SC has a cost-of-living index of 91.5 (below the national average of 100). A school counselor earning $57,628 nominally has purchasing power equivalent to $62,981 in an average-cost city — an effective 9.29% boost.
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2019 BLS Actual
$50,071
2025 BLS Actual
$56,470
2026 Current Est.
$57,628
2019–2027 Growth
+17.5%
Salary Trajectory for School Counselors in Lexington (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 2.05% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $50,071 | Actual |
| 2020 | $51,019 | Actual |
| 2021 | $53,117 | Actual |
| 2022 | $52,792 | Actual |
| 2023 | $54,170 | Actual |
| 2024 | $50,127 | Actual |
| 2025 | $56,470 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $57,628 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $58,809 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Lexington metropolitan area, the median school counselor salary grew 12.8% from $50,071 (2019) to $56,470 (2025). At a 2.05% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $58,809 by 2027 — a total increase of $8,738 (17.45%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Lexington 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) | $40,900 – $45,652 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $45,652 – $57,628 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $57,628 – $71,313 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $71,313 – $86,755 |
SC, LSC salary ranges estimated from BLS percentile data. Individual school counselor compensation varies by employer, certifications, and specialization.
School Counselor Job Market in Lexington
Local job opportunities for school counselors in Lexington currently include five employed professionals in the area, suggesting a tight but established job market. The area's cost-of-living index stands at 91.5, indicating that despite lower salaries, the buying power remains relatively stable compared to national averages. Among local employers, K-12 public school districts generally offer the best pay, leveraging the same step-and-lane structure used for teachers, which factors years of experience and education level into salary calculations. The noticeable variance in salaries emerges from several elements, including high-cost-of-living district premiums and the qualifications required for higher positions, such as advanced degrees. For counselors aiming to maximize their pay, pursuing additional certifications, taking on leadership roles, or participating in summer programs can enhance their marketability and income potential, ensuring they are well-positioned within the job market of Lexington, SC.
More salary data for Lexington, SC:
Frequently Asked Questions
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Can school counselors make $100K in Lexington?
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Related Pages
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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 $56,470 for school counselorsin the Lexington 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 Lexington 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