School Counselor Hourly Pay in Gadsden, AL: $26.99 (2026)
Quick Answer:Hourly pay for a school counselor working in Gadsden, AL runs $26.99 at the median for 2026 — annualizing to $56,145 at a standard 2,080-hour year. Figures projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 21-1012). Weighted against Gadsden's regional price level (BEA RPP 85.7, 14% below national), each hour of work buys what $31.51 nationally would. A 24-hour part-time schedule grosses $33,686 per year.
Official BLS data · View source
In Gadsden, Alabama, the school counselor hourly pay stands at a median of $26.99, which is notably below the national median of $30.93. This disparity may influence part-time and per-diem workers who typically seek flexible hours while offering essential support in various educational settings, such as elementary classrooms, middle school counseling groups, high school individual sessions, and college resource rooms. Entry-level professionals in Gadsden can expect to earn approximately $17.83 per hour, while more experienced counselors at the upper end of the spectrum can make around $36.19 per hour, based on official BLS data. Such a range reflects the diverse experiences needed for effective practice in these community roles, all while adhering to the extensive guidelines set forth by organizations such as the American School Counselor Association (ASCA).
School Counselor Hourly Wage Breakdown
| Percentile | Hourly Rate | Per 8hr Shift |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $17.83 | $142.63 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $22.23 | $177.81 |
| Median (P50) | $26.99 | $215.94 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $31.05 | $248.43 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $36.19 | $289.50 |
Estimated Annual Income by Work Schedule in Gadsden
Based on $26.99/hr median hourly rate · 2026 est.
At $26.99/hr, a school counselor working full-time (40 hr/wk) in Gadsden, AL can expect to earn approximately $56,144 per year (2026 est.). Part-time hygienists working 24 hours per week would earn around $32,391. With a cost-of-living index of 85.65 (below the national average), these earnings stretch further in Gadsden.
Hourly Rate Calculator
Schedule Comparison in Gadsden
| Schedule | Weekly | Monthly | Annual |
|---|---|---|---|
| Full-Time (40 hrs) | $1,079.69 | $4,679 | $56,144 |
| Part-Time (24 hrs) | $647.81 | $2,807 | $33,686 |
| Per Diem (16 hrs) | $431.88 | $1,871 | $22,458 |
Compare SC, LSC Wages With Similar Roles
| Role | Median Hourly |
|---|---|
| School Counselor (Gadsden) | $26.99 |
| 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 Gadsden, AL earn a median of $56,145 per year (2026 est.), which is 12.73% lower than the national median of $64,335 and 4.30% below the Alabama state average of $58,668.
School Counselor Hourly Pay vs. Cost of Living
Working 24h/week at $26.99/hr = $33,686/year (purchasing power: $39,329).
Working 40h/week (full-time) = $56,144/year (purchasing power: $65,548).
CoL index: 85.653 (100 = national average). Your dollars stretch further here.
2019 BLS Actual
$23.37/hr
2025 BLS Actual
$26.45/hr
2026 Current Est.
$26.99/hr
2019–2027 Growth
+17.9%
Hourly Rate Trajectory for School Counselors in Gadsden (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 2.05% projection.
| Year | Hourly Rate | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $23.37/hr | Actual |
| 2020 | $23.16/hr | Actual |
| 2021 | $27.84/hr | Actual |
| 2022 | $26.90/hr | Actual |
| 2023 | $24.21/hr | Actual |
| 2024 | $26.98/hr | Actual |
| 2025 | $26.45/hr | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $26.99/hr | Estimated |
| 2027 | $27.55/hr | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, the median hourly rate for school counselors in Gadsden grew 13.2% from $23.37/hr (2019) to $26.45/hr (2025). At a 2.05% projected growth rate, hourly pay is expected to reach $27.55/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 Gadsden 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 Gadsden
For school counselors working part-time in Gadsden, a typical 3-day work week amounts to about 24 hours, resulting in an annual take-home of around $33,596. This figure contrasts sharply with the potential earnings of full-time counterparts, revealing the financial trade-offs of part-time employment. As for per-diem school counselor pay in Gadsden, the opportunities to step into different roles or provide specialized services can yield hourly fees significantly higher than the standard school district pay, particularly in other high-cost living markets. School counselors in various K-12 settings, including public schools, charter networks, and private institutions, may find their hourly pay varies according to institutional funding and local demand, leading to a complex navigation of benefits versus compensation. Those willing to negotiate often find that achieving an equitable balance between benefits and hourly pay can be key, especially in light of recent mental health funding increases aimed at improving student support services post-COVID.
More salary data for Gadsden, 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 Gadsden. 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