School Counselor Salary in Simpsonville, SC: $58,751 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time school counselor in Simpsonville, SC earns a median $58,751/year (≈ $28.25/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 21-1012). Once you factor in Simpsonville's price level (8% below national, BEA RPP 91.5), that paycheck buys what $64,209 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 3.7% below the South Carolina state average.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
Amidst the recent expansion of mental health funding post-COVID, school counselor salaries in Simpsonville, SC, reflect positive growth trends. Projected for 2026, the median annual salary stands at $58,751, which trails the national median of $64,335 by roughly 8.68%. Local salary variability is notable, with compensation ranging from a low of $43,849 at the 10th percentile to a substantial high of $90,469 at the 90th percentile. These figures are derived from estimates based on 2025 BLS data and adjustments that account for regional price variations. With an increasing focus on mental health support in schools, demand for qualified counselors is expected to drive further hiring in the area, making this a significant time for professionals in Simpsonville's education sector.
About the Simpsonville Market
Salary estimated from South Carolina average ($58,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $43,849 | $21.08 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $47,967 | $23.06 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $58,751 | $28.25 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $74,086 | $35.62 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $90,469 | $43.49 |
Median Salary Position
8.68% below the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Simpsonville
In Simpsonville, SC, the school counselor salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $46,620 (2026 est.). At $58,751, the local median is 8.68% below the national median of $64,335.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in Simpsonville: You'd be in the lower-middle range
How Simpsonville School Counselor Pay Compares
Simpsonville median: $58,751/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Simpsonville Pays |
|---|---|---|
| South Carolina Average | $61,009 | -3.70% less |
| National Average | $64,335 | -8.68% less |
School Counselors in Simpsonville, SC earn a median of $58,751 per year (2026 est.), which is 8.68% lower than the national median of $64,335 and 3.70% below the South Carolina state average of $61,009.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Simpsonville 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.
Simpsonville, SC has a cost-of-living index of 91.5 (below the national average of 100). A school counselor earning $58,751 nominally has purchasing power equivalent to $64,209 in an average-cost city — an effective 9.29% boost.
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2019 BLS Actual
$51,047
2025 BLS Actual
$57,571
2026 Current Est.
$58,751
2019–2027 Growth
+17.5%
Salary Trajectory for School Counselors in Simpsonville (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 2.05% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $51,047 | Actual |
| 2020 | $52,013 | Actual |
| 2021 | $54,152 | Actual |
| 2022 | $53,821 | Actual |
| 2023 | $55,226 | Actual |
| 2024 | $51,105 | Actual |
| 2025 | $57,571 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $58,751 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $59,956 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Simpsonville metropolitan area, the median school counselor salary grew 12.8% from $51,047 (2019) to $57,571 (2025). At a 2.05% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $59,956 by 2027 — a total increase of $8,909 (17.45%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Simpsonville 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) | $43,849 – $47,967 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $47,967 – $58,751 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $58,751 – $74,086 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $74,086 – $90,469 |
SC, LSC salary ranges estimated from BLS percentile data. Individual school counselor compensation varies by employer, certifications, and specialization.
School Counselor Job Market in Simpsonville
Analyzing the job market in Simpsonville, one finds five school counselors currently employed locally, which indicates a tight-knit community around school counseling. The area's cost-of-living index stands at 91.5, suggesting that salaries might afford a higher purchasing power compared to more expensive locales. Within the educational institutions, compensation varies by type—K-12 public school districts generally follow a step-and-lane pay structure based on experience and education level. Factors driving remuneration differences include advanced degrees, additional summer roles, and stipends for leadership positions, such as department heads or club advisors. To maximize earning potential in Simpsonville, counselors should consider pursuing advanced credentials beyond a master's degree and seek opportunities that allow for additional responsibilities, aligning with school district goals and funding initiatives in the prevalent mental health context.
More salary data for Simpsonville, SC:
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 $57,571 for school counselorsin the Simpsonville 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 Simpsonville 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