School Counselor Hourly Pay in Wasilla, AK: $29.73 (2026)
Quick Answer:Hourly pay for a school counselor working in Wasilla, AK runs $29.73 at the median for 2026 — annualizing to $61,842 at a standard 2,080-hour year. Figures projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 21-1012). Weighted against Wasilla's regional price level (BEA RPP 106.1, 6% above national), each hour of work buys what $28.02 nationally would. A 24-hour part-time schedule grosses $37,100 per year.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
The projected school counselor hourly pay in Wasilla, Alaska, stands at $29.73, slightly below the national median of $30.93. This wage provides a solid income for professionals engaged in various educational settings, including elementary classroom guidance lessons and high school individual counseling offices. For counselors considering part-time roles, working three days a week could yield approximately $30,000 annually based on a typical 24-hour workweek, showcasing the feasibility of work-life balance in this vocation. The hourly range for these school counselors varies significantly, starting at $22.64 for entry-level positions and reaching up to $45.25 for more experienced professionals. This spectrum highlights the potential for growth and financial advancement in a field that requires a master's degree and adherence to licensure standards.
About the Wasilla Market
Salary estimated from Alaska average ($78,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
School Counselor Hourly Wage Breakdown
| Percentile | Hourly Rate | Per 8hr Shift |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $22.64 | $181.16 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $23.93 | $191.45 |
| Median (P50) | $29.73 | $237.82 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $37.17 | $297.33 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $45.25 | $361.99 |
Estimated Annual Income by Work Schedule in Wasilla
Based on $29.73/hr median hourly rate · 2026 est.
At $29.73/hr, a school counselor working full-time (40 hr/wk) in Wasilla, AK can expect to earn approximately $61,833 per year (2026 est.). Part-time hygienists working 24 hours per week would earn around $35,673. With a cost-of-living index of 106.10 (above the national average), these earnings may be offset by higher expenses in Wasilla.
Hourly Rate Calculator
Schedule Comparison in Wasilla
| Schedule | Weekly | Monthly | Annual |
|---|---|---|---|
| Full-Time (40 hrs) | $1,189.09 | $5,153 | $61,833 |
| Part-Time (24 hrs) | $713.45 | $3,092 | $37,100 |
| Per Diem (16 hrs) | $475.63 | $2,061 | $24,733 |
Compare SC, LSC Wages With Similar Roles
| Role | Median Hourly |
|---|---|
| School Counselor (Wasilla) | $29.73 |
| 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 Wasilla, AK earn a median of $61,842 per year (2026 est.), which is 3.88% lower than the national median of $64,335 and 7.60% below the Alaska state average of $66,929.
School Counselor Hourly Pay vs. Cost of Living
Working 24h/week at $29.73/hr = $37,100/year (purchasing power: $34,967).
Working 40h/week (full-time) = $61,833/year (purchasing power: $58,278).
CoL index: 106.1 (100 = national average).
2019 BLS Actual
$25.83/hr
2025 BLS Actual
$29.13/hr
2026 Current Est.
$29.73/hr
2019–2027 Growth
+17.5%
Hourly Rate Trajectory for School Counselors in Wasilla (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 2.05% projection.
| Year | Hourly Rate | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $25.83/hr | Actual |
| 2020 | $26.32/hr | Actual |
| 2021 | $27.40/hr | Actual |
| 2022 | $27.23/hr | Actual |
| 2023 | $27.94/hr | Actual |
| 2024 | $36.78/hr | Actual |
| 2025 | $29.13/hr | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $29.73/hr | Estimated |
| 2027 | $30.34/hr | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, the median hourly rate for school counselors in Wasilla grew 12.8% from $25.83/hr (2019) to $29.13/hr (2025). At a 2.05% projected growth rate, hourly pay is expected to reach $30.34/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 Wasilla 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 Wasilla
Exploring the financial dynamic further, a part-time school counselor in Wasilla might realistically look at an annual take-home income of around $30,000, contrasting sharply with full-time earnings upwards of $61,842. Per diem school counselor pay in Wasilla is particularly relevant, as private counseling services charge $150 to $400 hourly, reflecting the high demand for specialized skills in high-cost-of-living areas. Additionally, the pay scale may vary across different employer types such as K-12 public schools, charter institutions, and private schools, influencing the overall pay experience. Some may accept lower hourly rates from public schools to receive benefits like health insurance, whereas others may choose freelance or per diem opportunities that offer higher pay but no additional perks. Counselors in Wasilla should approach negotiations with a clear understanding of their value, local market conditions, and the unique needs of each educational environment to maximize their earning potential.
More salary data for Wasilla, AK:
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 Wasilla. 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 Wasilla 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