School Counselor Hourly Pay in Madison, AL: $27.50 (2026)
Quick Answer:Hourly pay for a school counselor working in Madison, AL runs $27.50 at the median for 2026 — annualizing to $57,198 at a standard 2,080-hour year. Figures projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 21-1012). Weighted against Madison's regional price level (BEA RPP 87.9, 12% below national), each hour of work buys what $31.29 nationally would. A 24-hour part-time schedule grosses $34,323 per year.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
In Madison, Alabama, the school counselor hourly pay stands at a median rate of $27.50, which is below the national figure of $30.93. This discrepancy means that school counselors in Madison may find it challenging, especially if they work part-time or on a per-diem basis, where typical settings include elementary classroom guidance, middle school small group sessions, and high school counseling offices. For those opting for part-time work three days a week, the hourly rate provides a range from $19.78 for entry-level positions to $42.63 for the most experienced counselors. Prospective counselors should consider these rates, as they reflect broader state salary structures derived from annual estimates based on 2025 BLS data, adjusted for the local cost of living in Madison, which shows a favorable position compared to national averages.
About the Madison Market
Salary estimated from Alabama average ($58,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
School Counselor Hourly Wage Breakdown
| Percentile | Hourly Rate | Per 8hr Shift |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $19.78 | $158.22 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $22.11 | $176.91 |
| Median (P50) | $27.50 | $220.02 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $35.20 | $281.58 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $42.63 | $341.01 |
Estimated Annual Income by Work Schedule in Madison
Based on $27.50/hr median hourly rate · 2026 est.
At $27.50/hr, a school counselor working full-time (40 hr/wk) in Madison, AL can expect to earn approximately $57,205 per year (2026 est.). Part-time hygienists working 24 hours per week would earn around $33,003. With a cost-of-living index of 87.90 (below the national average), these earnings stretch further in Madison.
Hourly Rate Calculator
Schedule Comparison in Madison
| Schedule | Weekly | Monthly | Annual |
|---|---|---|---|
| Full-Time (40 hrs) | $1,100.10 | $4,767 | $57,205 |
| Part-Time (24 hrs) | $660.06 | $2,860 | $34,323 |
| Per Diem (16 hrs) | $440.04 | $1,907 | $22,882 |
Compare SC, LSC Wages With Similar Roles
| Role | Median Hourly |
|---|---|
| School Counselor (Madison) | $27.50 |
| 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 Madison, AL earn a median of $57,198 per year (2026 est.), which is 11.09% lower than the national median of $64,335 and 2.50% below the Alabama state average of $58,665.
School Counselor Hourly Pay vs. Cost of Living
Working 24h/week at $27.50/hr = $34,323/year (purchasing power: $39,048).
Working 40h/week (full-time) = $57,205/year (purchasing power: $65,080).
CoL index: 87.9 (100 = national average). Your dollars stretch further here.
2019 BLS Actual
$23.90/hr
2025 BLS Actual
$26.95/hr
2026 Current Est.
$27.50/hr
2019–2027 Growth
+17.5%
Hourly Rate Trajectory for School Counselors in Madison (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 2.05% projection.
| Year | Hourly Rate | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $23.90/hr | Actual |
| 2020 | $24.35/hr | Actual |
| 2021 | $25.35/hr | Actual |
| 2022 | $25.19/hr | Actual |
| 2023 | $25.85/hr | Actual |
| 2024 | $23.90/hr | Actual |
| 2025 | $26.95/hr | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $27.50/hr | Estimated |
| 2027 | $28.07/hr | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, the median hourly rate for school counselors in Madison grew 12.8% from $23.90/hr (2019) to $26.95/hr (2025). At a 2.05% projected growth rate, hourly pay is expected to reach $28.07/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 Madison 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 Madison
For part-time school counselors working 24 hours a week, the earning potential may differ significantly from full-time colleagues. While a full-time school counselor could earn a stable salary, a part-time counselor may bring home considerably less annually, unless they secure per-diem roles, which can be quite lucrative. In high-cost-of-living areas, for instance, per-diem school counselors often command $150-$400 per hour for specialized services, particularly in college admissions consulting. In Madison, pay can vary across employer types, including K-12 public districts, private institutions, and DoDEA schools, often tied to health benefits. Navigating these options, counselors must weigh the trade-offs between a lower hourly rate with benefits versus higher pay without. For effective negotiations, understanding local pay scales for school counselor hourly rates in AL and potential benefits packages can be advantageous, especially in a growing field post-COVID, where mental health support roles are in higher demand.
More salary data for Madison, 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 Madison. Part-time and full-time income estimates assume consistent weekly hours and do not account for overtime, benefits, or seasonal variation.
Data Sources & Methodology
Salary data for Madison is estimated from official BLS state-level occupational wage data (2025), adjusted for regional cost-of-living differences using BEA RPP (Regional Price Parities).
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