School Counselor Salary in Hinesville, GA: $73,927 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time school counselor in Hinesville, GA earns a median $73,927/year (≈ $35.54/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 21-1012). Once you factor in Hinesville's price level (6% below national, BEA RPP 93.9), that paycheck buys what $78,702 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 25.7% above the Georgia state average.
Official BLS data · View source
In Hinesville, Georgia, the growth in mental health funding following the COVID-19 pandemic has led to an uptick in the demand for qualified school counselors, resulting in a projected median salary of $73,927 for 2026. The pay range for this occupation spans from $43,474 at the 10th percentile to $103,389 at the 90th percentile, highlighting a noteworthy variation in compensation based on experience and educational attainment. These salary figures are derived from the official Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics data and illustrate a robust local commitment to enhancing student mental health through expanded counseling services. This development reflects a shift in hiring practices as districts aim to align with the American School Counselor Association's recommended counselor-to-student ratio of 1:250, pushing for better mental health support for students.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $43,474 | $20.90 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $58,835 | $28.28 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $73,927 | $35.54 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $80,447 | $38.69 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $103,389 | $49.71 |
Median Salary Position
14.91% above the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Hinesville
In Hinesville, GA, the school counselor salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $59,915 (2026 est.). At $73,927, the local median is 14.91% above the national median of $64,335.
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At 40 hours/week in Hinesville: You'd be above the median
How Hinesville School Counselor Pay Compares
Hinesville median: $73,927/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Hinesville Pays |
|---|---|---|
| Georgia Average | $58,812 | +25.70% more |
| National Average | $64,335 | +14.91% more |
School Counselors in Hinesville, GA earn a median of $73,927 per year (2026 est.), which is 14.91% higher than the national median of $64,335 and 25.70% above the Georgia state average of $58,812.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Hinesville has a cost of living 6.07% below the national average, meaning your salary goes further here.
Adjusted salary = nominal × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average.
Hinesville, GA has a cost-of-living index of 93.933 (below the national average of 100). A school counselor earning $73,927 nominally has purchasing power equivalent to $78,702 in an average-cost city — an effective 6.46% boost.
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2019 BLS Actual
$64,233
2025 BLS Actual
$72,442
2026 Current Est.
$73,927
2019–2027 Growth
+17.5%
Salary Trajectory for School Counselors in Hinesville (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 2.05% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $64,233 | Actual |
| 2020 | $65,449 | Actual |
| 2021 | $59,210 | Actual |
| 2022 | $62,000 | Actual |
| 2023 | $63,220 | Actual |
| 2024 | $68,260 | Actual |
| 2025 | $72,442 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $73,927 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $75,443 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Hinesville metropolitan area, the median school counselor salary grew 12.8% from $64,233 (2019) to $72,442 (2025). At a 2.05% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $75,443 by 2027 — a total increase of $11,210 (17.45%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Hinesville 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) | $43,474 – $58,835 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $58,835 – $73,927 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $73,927 – $80,447 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $80,447 – $103,389 |
SC, LSC salary ranges estimated from BLS percentile data. Individual school counselor compensation varies by employer, certifications, and specialization.
School Counselor Job Market in Hinesville
The job market for school counselors in Hinesville remains competitive, with approximately 50 professionals currently employed within the area. The cost of living index in Hinesville is 93.933, making the purchasing power for counselors relatively strong compared to national averages, thereby influencing the effective take-home income. Among local employers, K-12 public school districts tend to offer the most competitive school counselor pay in Hinesville, GA, utilizing a step-and-lane salary structure that rewards experience and educational advancements. Variations in compensation stem from factors such as master's versus master's+30 versus doctorate placements on the salary schedules and the potential for summer program stipends. For counselors seeking to maximize their earnings, pursuing advanced degrees, engaging in extended contracts, and taking on additional roles such as department heads can significantly enhance overall salary potential in this evolving market.
More salary data for Hinesville, GA:
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 $72,442 for school counselorsin the Hinesville 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
Source: BLS, OEWS, 5-year dataset (–). Per-city data from annual BLS metropolitan area surveys.
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