School Counselor Hourly Pay in Flagstaff, AZ: $25.21 (2026)
Quick Answer:Hourly pay for a school counselor working in Flagstaff, AZ runs $25.21 at the median for 2026 — annualizing to $52,415 at a standard 2,080-hour year. Figures projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 21-1012). Weighted against Flagstaff's regional price level (BEA RPP 100.3, 0% above national), each hour of work buys what $25.12 nationally would. A 24-hour part-time schedule grosses $31,458 per year.
Official BLS data · View source
In Flagstaff, Arizona, school counselors can expect a median hourly rate of $25.21, which falls short of the national median of $30.93. This figure reflects the economic landscape of the area, offering insights into potential earnings for part-time and per-diem positions. With part-time counselors working roughly three days a week, they might anticipate earnings that meet their needs while navigating the various counseling roles, such as classroom guidance lessons in elementary schools, small group sessions in middle schools, or individual counseling in high school settings. According to official BLS data, the hourly rate in Flagstaff ranges from $23.16 for entry-level positions to $30.87 for top earners, showcasing a competitive landscape for school counseling professionals.
School Counselor Hourly Wage Breakdown
| Percentile | Hourly Rate | Per 8hr Shift |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $23.16 | $185.24 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $23.16 | $185.24 |
| Median (P50) | $25.21 | $201.65 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $27.74 | $221.90 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $30.87 | $246.96 |
Estimated Annual Income by Work Schedule in Flagstaff
Based on $25.21/hr median hourly rate · 2026 est.
At $25.21/hr, a school counselor working full-time (40 hr/wk) in Flagstaff, AZ can expect to earn approximately $52,429 per year (2026 est.). Part-time hygienists working 24 hours per week would earn around $30,248. With a cost-of-living index of 100.33 (above the national average), these earnings may be offset by higher expenses in Flagstaff.
Hourly Rate Calculator
Schedule Comparison in Flagstaff
| Schedule | Weekly | Monthly | Annual |
|---|---|---|---|
| Full-Time (40 hrs) | $1,008.25 | $4,369 | $52,429 |
| Part-Time (24 hrs) | $604.95 | $2,621 | $31,458 |
| Per Diem (16 hrs) | $403.30 | $1,748 | $20,972 |
Compare SC, LSC Wages With Similar Roles
| Role | Median Hourly |
|---|---|
| School Counselor (Flagstaff) | $25.21 |
| 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 Flagstaff, AZ earn a median of $52,415 per year (2026 est.), which is 18.53% lower than the national median of $64,335 and 0.10% below the Arizona state average of $52,467.
School Counselor Hourly Pay vs. Cost of Living
Working 24h/week at $25.21/hr = $31,458/year (purchasing power: $31,356).
Working 40h/week (full-time) = $52,429/year (purchasing power: $52,259).
CoL index: 100.325 (100 = national average).
2019 BLS Actual
$17.30/hr
2025 BLS Actual
$24.70/hr
2026 Current Est.
$25.21/hr
2019–2027 Growth
+48.7%
Hourly Rate Trajectory for School Counselors in Flagstaff (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 2.05% projection.
| Year | Hourly Rate | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $17.30/hr | Actual |
| 2020 | $21.34/hr | Actual |
| 2021 | $23.47/hr | Actual |
| 2022 | $22.57/hr | Actual |
| 2023 | $23.79/hr | Actual |
| 2024 | $25.15/hr | Actual |
| 2025 | $24.70/hr | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $25.21/hr | Estimated |
| 2027 | $25.72/hr | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, the median hourly rate for school counselors in Flagstaff grew 42.8% from $17.30/hr (2019) to $24.70/hr (2025). At a 2.05% projected growth rate, hourly pay is expected to reach $25.72/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 Flagstaff 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 Flagstaff
Looking at the earning potential for part-time counselors in Flagstaff, those working just 24 hours a week may take home around $31,000 annually compared to full-time counterparts who earn significantly more. The hourly landscape varies significantly based on employment settings, with factors such as school district type and level influencing pay. For instance, per-diem positions can afford counselors in private college settings to charge between $150 and $400 an hour for direct consulting, far exceeding traditional school budgets. Given the ongoing post-COVID emphasis on mental health support in schools, some counselors may opt for positions offering lower hourly pay but robust benefits like health insurance. For job seekers, understanding this balance is key, and targeting negotiations for benefits versus hourly pay in Flagstaff’s unique market can lead to informed career choices.
More salary data for Flagstaff, AZ:
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 Flagstaff. 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