North Carolina School Counselor Salary Guide - 2025

School Counselor Certification

by School Counselor Certification Staff

Updated: November 1st, 2024

School counselors in North Carolina typically earn a salary that is considered competitive within the state’s education sector – median salary of $61,952 (Bureau of Labor Statistics - 2023) and projected to grow 11.6% from 2022 to 2032.

Factors that influence their salary include:

  • Experience: Counselors with more years of experience generally earn higher salaries.
  • Education: Advanced degrees, such as a Master’s or Doctorate in Counseling, can lead to higher pay.
  • Location: Salaries may vary depending on the geographic region within North Carolina. Urban areas or areas with higher costs of living may offer higher pay.
  • School District: The size and resources of the school district can also impact salary. Larger districts with higher budgets may be able to offer higher compensation.

While school counseling is a rewarding profession, it’s important to consider these factors when evaluating the potential salary.

North Carolina School Counselor Salaries – Visualized

School Counselors Salaries in urban areas of North Carolina

Metro Area# EmployedMean Salary
Asheville, NC400$55,631
Burlington, NC120$58,617
Charlotte-Concord-Gastonia, NC-SC2,120$65,809
Durham-Chapel Hill, NC790$65,809
Fayetteville, NC320$60,790
Goldsboro, NC110$58,524
Greensboro-High Point, NC590$61,475
Greenville, NC240$61,719
Hickory-Lenoir-Morganton, NC250$58,466
Jacksonville, NC140$56,909
New Bern, NC80$56,793
Raleigh, NC1,260$66,123
Rocky Mount, NC140$56,421
Wilmington, NC220$61,127
Winston-Salem, NC510$64,822
Source: Bureau of Labor Statistics - 2023

School Counselors Salaries in rural areas of North Carolina

Metro Area# EmployedMean Salary
Southeast Coastal North Carolina nonmetropolitan area550$59,860
Northeast Coastal North Carolina nonmetropolitan area190$60,476
Piedmont North Carolina nonmetropolitan area570$58,211
Mountain North Carolina nonmetropolitan area450$58,594
Source: Bureau of Labor Statistics - 2023