SalariesByCity
BLS SOC 21-1012 · North Carolina · Updated 2026

School Counselor Salary in Charlotte, NC

School Counselors in Charlotte, NC earn a median of $46,000/year, ranging from $35,420 (25th percentile) to $73,600 (90th percentile). After North Carolina state taxes (4.5%) and cost-of-living adjustments (COL index 102), this is equivalent to $45,098 in purchasing power vs the US average.

Median Annual
$46,000
BLS median
Entry Level (P25)
$35,420
25th percentile
Senior (P75)
$58,880
75th percentile
Top Earners (P90)
$73,600
90th percentile

1Salary Distribution in Charlotte, NC

P25
P75
P25
$35,420
Median
$46,000
P75
$58,880
P90
$73,600

2Estimated Take-Home & Purchasing Power

Gross Median Salary
$46,000
Before taxes
Est. Take-Home (After Tax)
$40,591
After 4.5% state + ~7.6% FICA
COL-Adjusted Purchasing Power
$39,795
vs US average (COL index: 102)

* Estimates only. Does not include federal income tax, 401k, health insurance, or local taxes. Use the Salary Calculator for a detailed breakdown.

3

How Does Charlotte, NC Compare?

Nearby and similar metro areas
CityMedianCOL IndexCOL-Adjusted
Charlotte, NC (current)$46,000102$45,098
Raleigh, NC$50,000103$48,544
San Francisco, CA$70,000186$37,634
New York, NY$67,000187$35,829
Seattle, WA$68,000162$41,975
Boston, MA$62,000162$38,272

4Frequently Asked Questions

What is the average School Counselor salary in Charlotte, NC?

The median School Counselor salary in Charlotte, NC is $46,000 per year as of 2026 BLS OEWS data. The 25th percentile is $35,420 and the 90th percentile is $73,600.

Is Charlotte, NC a good place to work as a School Counselor?

Charlotte, NC has a cost of living index of 102 (US average = 100). After adjusting for cost of living, a $46,000 School Counselor salary in Charlotte, NC is equivalent to $45,098 in purchasing power compared to the US average.

What is the cost of living adjustment for Charlotte, NC?

Charlotte, NC has a cost of living index of 102, meaning it is 2% more expensive than the US average. The state income tax rate in North Carolina is approximately 4.5%.

What is the School Counselor salary range in Charlotte, NC?

In Charlotte, NC, School Counselors earn between $35,420 (25th percentile) and $73,600 (90th percentile), with a median of $46,000 per year.

How many School Counselor jobs are there in Charlotte, NC?

According to BLS OEWS data, there are approximately 50,000 School Counselor positions in the Charlotte, NC metropolitan area.

What do School Counselors earn in Charlotte, NC?

Based on BLS OEWS 2026 data, School Counselors in Charlotte, NC earn a median annual wage of $46,000. The middle 50% earn between $35,420 and $58,880. The top 10% earn more than $73,600. There are approximately 50,000 School Counselors employed in the Charlotte, NC metro area, with annual job growth estimated at 5.7%.

Is Charlotte, NC a good place for a School Counselor?

Charlotte, NC has a cost of living index of 102 (US average = 100), making it 2% more expensive than the national average. After adjusting for cost of living, a School Counselor in Charlotte, NC earning $46,000has the equivalent purchasing power of $45,098 relative to the US median. North Carolina has a state income tax rate of approximately 4.5%.

What is the cost of living adjustment for Charlotte, NC?

Charlotte, NC's cost of living index is 102, based on composite data including housing, food, transportation, healthcare, and utilities. This means that $46,000 in Charlotte, NChas the same purchasing power as $45,098 in a city at exactly the US average cost of living. Housing is typically the largest driver of cost of living differences between metros.

Compare Charlotte, NC with Another City

See a detailed side-by-side comparison of salary, taxes, and purchasing power.

Data source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS) Program. All figures are approximate annual estimates based on the most recent available BLS data. Actual salaries may vary based on experience, education, employer size, and specific role. Cost-of-living data represents composite indices from publicly available metropolitan area data.