School Counselor Hourly Pay in Anniston, AL: $25.88 (2026)
Quick Answer:Hourly pay for a school counselor working in Anniston, AL runs $25.88 at the median for 2026 — annualizing to $53,845 at a standard 2,080-hour year. Figures projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 21-1012). Weighted against Anniston's regional price level (BEA RPP 85.9, 14% below national), each hour of work buys what $30.11 nationally would. A 24-hour part-time schedule grosses $32,298 per year.
Official BLS data · View source

In Anniston, Alabama, the projected school counselor hourly pay in 2026 is set at $25.88, which is notably below the national median of $30.93. For those working part-time, such as counselors who operate three days a week, this hourly rate translates into significant earnings in education settings, including elementary classroom guidance, middle school small group sessions, and high school individual counseling offices. The hourly range for school counselors in the area runs from $20.56 for entry-level positions to a maximum of $36.06 for experienced professionals at the top of their field. This data, derived from the Bureau of Labor Statistics' projections, provides a comprehensive overview of the financial landscape facing school counselors in Anniston.
School Counselor Hourly Wage Breakdown
| Percentile | Hourly Rate | Per 8hr Shift |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $20.56 | $164.50 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $23.93 | $191.45 |
| Median (P50) | $25.88 | $207.04 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $34.92 | $279.37 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $36.06 | $288.52 |
Estimated Annual Income by Work Schedule in Anniston
Based on $25.88/hr median hourly rate · 2026 est.
At $25.88/hr, a school counselor working full-time (40 hr/wk) in Anniston, AL can expect to earn approximately $53,830 per year (2026 est.). Part-time hygienists working 24 hours per week would earn around $31,056. With a cost-of-living index of 85.95 (below the national average), these earnings stretch further in Anniston.
Hourly Rate Calculator
Schedule Comparison in Anniston
| Schedule | Weekly | Monthly | Annual |
|---|---|---|---|
| Full-Time (40 hrs) | $1,035.20 | $4,486 | $53,830 |
| Part-Time (24 hrs) | $621.12 | $2,692 | $32,298 |
| Per Diem (16 hrs) | $414.08 | $1,794 | $21,532 |
Compare SC, LSC Wages With Similar Roles
| Role | Median Hourly |
|---|---|
| School Counselor (Anniston) | $25.88 |
| Mental Health Counselor (National Avg) | $28.69 |
| Social Worker (National Avg) | $29.33 |
| Elementary School Teacher (National Avg) | $32.79 |
| Instructional Coordinator (National Avg) | $36.21 |
School Counselors in Anniston, AL earn a median of $53,845 per year (2026 est.), which is 16.31% lower than the national median of $64,335 and 8.20% below the Alabama state average of $58,654.
School Counselor Hourly Pay vs. Cost of Living
Working 24h/week at $25.88/hr = $32,298/year (purchasing power: $37,578).
Working 40h/week (full-time) = $53,830/year (purchasing power: $62,630).
CoL index: 85.949 (100 = national average). Your dollars stretch further here.
2019 BLS Actual
$26.02/hr
2025 BLS Actual
$25.36/hr
2026 Current Est.
$25.88/hr
2019–2027 Growth
+1.5%
Hourly Rate Trajectory for School Counselors in Anniston (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 2.05% projection.
| Year | Hourly Rate | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $26.02/hr | Actual |
| 2020 | $26.47/hr | Actual |
| 2021 | $28.87/hr | Actual |
| 2022 | $29.28/hr | Actual |
| 2023 | $27.19/hr | Actual |
| 2024 | $23.73/hr | Actual |
| 2025 | $25.36/hr | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $25.88/hr | Estimated |
| 2027 | $26.41/hr | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, the median hourly rate for school counselors in Anniston grew -2.5% from $26.02/hr (2019) to $25.36/hr (2025). At a 2.05% projected growth rate, hourly pay is expected to reach $26.41/hr by 2027. Part-time and per-diem school counselors can use this multi-year trend to benchmark future contract negotiations.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Anniston 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.
Working as an Hourly School Counselor in Anniston
For school counselors operating part-time, the financial picture shifts dramatically based on hours worked. A school counselor working 24 hours a week can expect to take home approximately $32,889 annually, considerably less than full-time counterparts. Per diem school counselor pay in Anniston, particularly in private and post-secondary settings, offers a different trajectory; private college counselors may command fees between $150 and $400 per hour in higher-cost-of-living markets. Educational institutions including K-12 public schools, charter networks, and private establishments tend to pay school counselors through traditional salary structures, while some may provide health insurance benefits that offset a slightly lower hourly rate. Counselors seeking higher pay without benefits might focus on consultancy roles during summer months for a potential additional income of $5,000 to $15,000. Negotiating salary in Anniston could hinge on highlighting specialized skills or certifications that align with the needs of various employers, especially with post-COVID mental health initiatives ramping up counselor hiring to address the high student-to-counselor ratios that exceed the ASCA recommendations.
More salary data for Anniston, AL:
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
Hourly wage figures on this page are 2026 projections based on the Bureau of Labor Statistics Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS) survey, May 2026 release. A 2.05% compound annual growth rate (CAGR), derived from 6-year national BLS wage trends, was applied to estimate current 2026 hourly rates for school counselors in Anniston. Part-time and full-time income estimates assume consistent weekly hours and do not account for overtime, benefits, or seasonal variation.
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