School Counselor Salary in Chattanooga, TN: $56,665 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time school counselor in Chattanooga, TN earns a median $56,665/year (≈ $27.25/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 21-1012). Once you factor in Chattanooga's price level (9% below national, BEA RPP 91.5), that paycheck buys what $61,953 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 4.8% below the Tennessee state average.
Official BLS data · View source
In the wake of expanded mental health funding following the COVID-19 pandemic, the school counselor salary in Chattanooga has become increasingly competitive. Current projections estimate a median annual income of $56,665, which is notably below the national median of $64,335. Salaries here range significantly, from approximately $35,524 at the 10th percentile to $86,378 at the 90th percentile. These figures, derived from official Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) OEWS data, reflect the evolving landscape of educational support roles in the region. This infusion of funding is leading to more hiring opportunities, allowing Chattanooga's school counselors to better address the growing needs for mental health support among students.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $35,524 | $17.08 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $45,304 | $21.78 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $56,665 | $27.25 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $78,367 | $37.68 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $86,378 | $41.53 |
Median Salary Position
11.92% below the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Chattanooga
In Chattanooga, TN, the school counselor salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $50,854 (2026 est.). At $56,665, the local median is 11.92% below the national median of $64,335.
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At 40 hours/week in Chattanooga: You'd be in the lower-middle range
How Chattanooga School Counselor Pay Compares
Chattanooga median: $56,665/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Chattanooga Pays |
|---|---|---|
| Tennessee Average | $59,522 | -4.80% less |
| National Average | $64,335 | -11.92% less |
School Counselors in Chattanooga, TN earn a median of $56,665 per year (2026 est.), which is 11.92% lower than the national median of $64,335 and 4.80% below the Tennessee state average of $59,522.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Chattanooga has a cost of living 8.54% below the national average, meaning your salary goes further here.
Adjusted salary = nominal × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average.
Chattanooga, TN has a cost-of-living index of 91.464 (below the national average of 100). A school counselor earning $56,665 nominally has purchasing power equivalent to $61,953 in an average-cost city — an effective 9.33% boost.
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2019 BLS Actual
$50,270
2025 BLS Actual
$55,527
2026 Current Est.
$56,665
2019–2027 Growth
+15.0%
Salary Trajectory for School Counselors in Chattanooga (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 2.05% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $50,270 | Actual |
| 2020 | $50,940 | Actual |
| 2021 | $48,520 | Actual |
| 2022 | $56,720 | Actual |
| 2023 | $50,700 | Actual |
| 2024 | $58,930 | Actual |
| 2025 | $55,527 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $56,665 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $57,827 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Chattanooga metropolitan area, the median school counselor salary grew 10.5% from $50,270 (2019) to $55,527 (2025). At a 2.05% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $57,827 by 2027 — a total increase of $7,557 (15.03%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Chattanooga 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) | $35,524 – $45,304 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $45,304 – $56,665 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $56,665 – $78,367 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $78,367 – $86,378 |
SC, LSC salary ranges estimated from BLS percentile data. Individual school counselor compensation varies by employer, certifications, and specialization.
School Counselor Job Market in Chattanooga
With around 600 school counselors employed in Chattanooga, the local job market demonstrates a substantial demand for these professionals. The cost of living index in Chattanooga stands at 91.464, indicating it is somewhat more affordable compared to national averages. However, this lower cost of living also subtly influences take-home pay and purchasing power for those in the field. Among the various employers, K-12 public school districts generally provide the most competitive salaries, following a step-and-lane pay scale determined by years of experience and education level. Factors such as advanced degrees and additional responsibilities also contribute to salary variation. To maximize compensation, school counselors in Chattanooga may benefit from pursuing higher education and additional certifications while seeking roles in districts offering extended school year contracts or stipends for extracurricular involvement. Understanding these dynamics is essential for those asking how much do school counselors make in Chattanooga.
More salary data for Chattanooga, TN:
Frequently Asked Questions
How much do school counselors make in Chattanooga, TN in 2026?
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Can school counselors make $100K in Chattanooga?
What is the cost-of-living adjusted school counselor salary in Chattanooga?
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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 $55,527 for school counselorsin the Chattanooga 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, 7-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