📊 BLS Official Data · May 2025 Release

School Counselor Salary in North Carolina (2026)

North Carolina · 9.0% below national average · High Demand

Average
$58,085
per year
Median
$55,883
per year
Hourly
$27.93
per hour
🏛️ Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics
📅 Dataset: OES May 2025
🔄 Published: May 2026
📍 Coverage: All 50 States + DC
📊
Salary Range & Percentiles
Pay distribution across experience levels
10th Percentile — Entry Level$38,069
25th Percentile — Junior$48,678
50th Percentile — Median$55,883
75th Percentile — Senior$72,548
90th Percentile — Top Earners$81,384
💡 Top-earning School Counselors in North Carolina make up to $81,384 per year. The job market in North Carolina is rated strong, with key industries including Technology, Finance, Agriculture.
📈
Salary Growth Trend (2021–2026)
Six-year compensation trajectory
$48.2k
2021
$50.0k
2022
$51.9k
2023
$53.9k
2024
$56.0k
2025
$58.1k
2026
📈 School Counselor salaries in North Carolina have followed the national trend with 3.8% annual growth. The strong demand in North Carolina's job market supports continued salary increases.
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School Counselor Salary by City in North Carolina
Geographic salary comparison
CityAvg Salaryvs NationalDemand
Charlotte $55,762 -4.0% High
Raleigh $56,923 -2.0% High
Greensboro $52,276 -10.0% High
Durham $56,342 -3.0% High
Winston-Salem $50,534 -13.0% High
🔍
School Counselor Job Market in North Carolina
Key factors affecting compensation

North Carolina is home to a strong job market for School Counselors. The state's key industries — Technology, Finance, Agriculture — generate significant demand for skilled professionals. At $58,085 per year, North Carolina's School Counselor salaries are 9.0% lower than the national average.

The cost of living in North Carolina (index: 0.91) makes salaries stretch further than in higher-cost states. Entry-level professionals in North Carolina can expect to earn $38,069–$48,678, while experienced School Counselors can command $72,548–$81,384.

Looking ahead, the School Counselor profession in North Carolina is projected to grow at 3.8% annually. Major employers are actively hiring, and the state's investment in Technology continues to drive new opportunities for qualified candidates.

🏛️ U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics · Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OES) · May 2025
⚖️
Compare with Similar Jobs
Related career salary benchmarks
Frequently Asked Questions
Common questions about this salary
  • The average School Counselor salary in North Carolina is $58,085 per year in 2026, which is 9.0% below the national average of $63,830.
  • Major metro areas typically pay School Counselors the highest wages in North Carolina due to higher costs of living and competitive job markets.
  • North Carolina has a strong job market with major industries in Technology, Finance, Agriculture. This makes it one of the better states for School Counselor employment.
  • At $58,085/year, North Carolina School Counselor salaries are 9.0% lower than the national average of $63,830/year.