School Counselor Hourly Pay in Mobile, AL: $27.79 (2026)
Quick Answer:Hourly pay for a school counselor working in Mobile, AL runs $27.79 at the median for 2026 — annualizing to $57,805 at a standard 2,080-hour year. Figures projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 21-1012). Weighted against Mobile's regional price level (BEA RPP 88.1, 12% below national), each hour of work buys what $31.54 nationally would. A 24-hour part-time schedule grosses $34,680 per year.
Official BLS data · View source
In Mobile, Alabama, the projected median school counselor hourly rate for 2026 is $27.79, which falls below the national median of $30.93. This figure suggests a relatively modest income for school counselors working in local educational settings, such as elementary schools offering guidance lessons or high schools focusing on individual counseling. For those considering part-time positions, such as a counselor working three days per week, the hourly pay reflects a viable option for balancing professional commitments while serving students. The hourly rate in Mobile ranges from $18.84 for entry-level positions to around $37.12 for top earners. This BLS data illustrates the economic parameters within which school counselors operate, emphasizing the need for strategic career planning, salary negotiation skills, and an understanding of budget constraints faced by school districts.
School Counselor Hourly Wage Breakdown
| Percentile | Hourly Rate | Per 8hr Shift |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $18.84 | $150.71 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $20.74 | $165.89 |
| Median (P50) | $27.79 | $222.31 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $32.19 | $257.49 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $37.12 | $296.92 |
Estimated Annual Income by Work Schedule in Mobile
Based on $27.79/hr median hourly rate · 2026 est.
At $27.79/hr, a school counselor working full-time (40 hr/wk) in Mobile, AL can expect to earn approximately $57,799 per year (2026 est.). Part-time hygienists working 24 hours per week would earn around $33,346. With a cost-of-living index of 88.10 (below the national average), these earnings stretch further in Mobile.
Hourly Rate Calculator
Schedule Comparison in Mobile
| Schedule | Weekly | Monthly | Annual |
|---|---|---|---|
| Full-Time (40 hrs) | $1,111.53 | $4,817 | $57,799 |
| Part-Time (24 hrs) | $666.92 | $2,890 | $34,680 |
| Per Diem (16 hrs) | $444.61 | $1,927 | $23,120 |
Compare SC, LSC Wages With Similar Roles
| Role | Median Hourly |
|---|---|
| School Counselor (Mobile) | $27.79 |
| 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 Mobile, AL earn a median of $57,805 per year (2026 est.), which is 10.15% lower than the national median of $64,335 and 1.50% below the Alabama state average of $58,685.
School Counselor Hourly Pay vs. Cost of Living
Working 24h/week at $27.79/hr = $34,680/year (purchasing power: $39,365).
Working 40h/week (full-time) = $57,799/year (purchasing power: $65,608).
CoL index: 88.098 (100 = national average). Your dollars stretch further here.
2019 BLS Actual
$26.01/hr
2025 BLS Actual
$27.23/hr
2026 Current Est.
$27.79/hr
2019–2027 Growth
+9.0%
Hourly Rate Trajectory for School Counselors in Mobile (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 2.05% projection.
| Year | Hourly Rate | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $26.01/hr | Actual |
| 2020 | $23.85/hr | Actual |
| 2021 | $23.41/hr | Actual |
| 2022 | $26.37/hr | Actual |
| 2023 | $28.38/hr | Actual |
| 2024 | $28.19/hr | Actual |
| 2025 | $27.23/hr | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $27.79/hr | Estimated |
| 2027 | $28.36/hr | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, the median hourly rate for school counselors in Mobile grew 4.7% from $26.01/hr (2019) to $27.23/hr (2025). At a 2.05% projected growth rate, hourly pay is expected to reach $28.36/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 Mobile 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 Mobile
Considering the earning potential for part-time school counselors in Mobile, an individual working a 24-hour week would take home a significantly lower annual income compared to their full-time counterparts. Many per-diem school counselors operate through agencies or private practices that can command rates of $150 to $400 per hour in higher-cost living areas. Additionally, opportunities during the extended school year can increase earnings significantly by adding another $5,000 to $15,000 to a counselor's yearly take. In Mobile, hourly rates can vary considerably based on the school type—public K-12 districts, charter schools, and private institutions may offer different compensation scales. While some school counselors might opt for lower hourly rates in exchange for benefits like health insurance or a defined pension plan, younger professionals entering the field should negotiate effectively for contracts that emphasize both financial and personal well-being. Understanding local demand and the community's needs can improve the bargaining position for those in this growing field.
More salary data for Mobile, 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 Mobile. 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