School Counselor Salary in Summerville, SC: $59,736 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time school counselor in Summerville, SC earns a median $59,736/year (≈ $28.72/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 21-1012). Once you factor in Summerville's price level (8% below national, BEA RPP 91.5), that paycheck buys what $65,285 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 2.1% below the South Carolina state average.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
In 2026, the school counselor salary in Summerville, SC, is projected at a median of $59,736, which reflects a slight decrease compared to the national median of $64,335. This figure occupies a salary range from $43,362 at the 10th percentile to a high of $92,591 at the 90th percentile. These numbers are derived from the 2025 BLS estimates, adjusted for local economic conditions. With school counselor-to-student ratios in the Summerville area above the recommended ASCA guideline of 1:250, the current hiring climate indicates a strong demand for qualified professionals, setting the stage for competitive compensation discussions.
About the Summerville Market
Salary estimated from South Carolina average ($58,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $43,362 | $20.85 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $48,329 | $23.24 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $59,736 | $28.72 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $76,462 | $36.76 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $92,591 | $44.51 |
Median Salary Position
7.15% below the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Summerville
In Summerville, SC, the school counselor salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $49,229 (2026 est.). At $59,736, the local median is 7.15% below the national median of $64,335.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in Summerville: You'd be in the lower-middle range
How Summerville School Counselor Pay Compares
Summerville median: $59,736/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Summerville Pays |
|---|---|---|
| South Carolina Average | $61,017 | -2.10% less |
| National Average | $64,335 | -7.15% less |
School Counselors in Summerville, SC earn a median of $59,736 per year (2026 est.), which is 7.15% lower than the national median of $64,335 and 2.10% below the South Carolina state average of $61,017.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Summerville 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.
Summerville, SC has a cost-of-living index of 91.5 (below the national average of 100). A school counselor earning $59,736 nominally has purchasing power equivalent to $65,285 in an average-cost city — an effective 9.29% boost.
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2019 BLS Actual
$51,903
2025 BLS Actual
$58,536
2026 Current Est.
$59,736
2019–2027 Growth
+17.5%
Salary Trajectory for School Counselors in Summerville (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 2.05% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $51,903 | Actual |
| 2020 | $52,885 | Actual |
| 2021 | $55,060 | Actual |
| 2022 | $54,723 | Actual |
| 2023 | $56,152 | Actual |
| 2024 | $51,961 | Actual |
| 2025 | $58,536 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $59,736 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $60,961 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Summerville metropolitan area, the median school counselor salary grew 12.8% from $51,903 (2019) to $58,536 (2025). At a 2.05% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $60,961 by 2027 — a total increase of $9,058 (17.45%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Summerville 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) | $43,362 – $48,329 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $48,329 – $59,736 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $59,736 – $76,462 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $76,462 – $92,591 |
SC, LSC salary ranges estimated from BLS percentile data. Individual school counselor compensation varies by employer, certifications, and specialization.
School Counselor Job Market in Summerville
Employment for school counselors in Summerville is relatively stable, with approximately 12 professionals currently serving local students. The cost of living index in the area is 91.5, suggesting that while salaries may appear lower compared to national norms, purchasing power remains decent for residents. K-12 districts typically operate on a step-and-lane pay structure, meaning factors such as years of experience and education level significantly influence earnings. High-end salaries may be offered in certain public schools or specialized programs that accommodate advanced counseling roles. For those seeking to maximize their school counselor pay in Summerville, pursuing additional certifications or advanced degrees can help position candidates on higher salary scales, especially where competitive salaries exist.
More salary data for Summerville, 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 $58,536 for school counselorsin the Summerville 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 Summerville 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