School Counselor Hourly Pay in Queen Creek, AZ: $25.03 (2026)
Quick Answer:Hourly pay for a school counselor working in Queen Creek, AZ runs $25.03 at the median for 2026 — annualizing to $52,070 at a standard 2,080-hour year. Figures projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 21-1012). Weighted against Queen Creek's regional price level (BEA RPP 98.5, 1% below national), each hour of work buys what $25.41 nationally would. A 24-hour part-time schedule grosses $31,241 per year.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
In Queen Creek, AZ, school counselors earn a median hourly pay of $25.03, which is considerably lower than the national average of $30.93. For those considering part-time roles, such as working three days a week, this translates to a reasonable earning potential, particularly in settings that vary from elementary classrooms to high school counseling offices. Depending on their level of experience and specific school environments, counselors may see hourly pay ranging from $16.66 at entry-level positions to $38.80 for seasoned professionals. With 2026 projected data indicating a diverse hourly range, these figures represent not just an income but the essential support that counselors provide to students in their educational journeys.
About the Queen Creek Market
Salary estimated from Arizona average ($62,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
School Counselor Hourly Wage Breakdown
| Percentile | Hourly Rate | Per 8hr Shift |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $16.66 | $133.32 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $20.64 | $165.16 |
| Median (P50) | $25.03 | $200.26 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $31.89 | $255.13 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $38.80 | $310.40 |
Estimated Annual Income by Work Schedule in Queen Creek
Based on $25.03/hr median hourly rate · 2026 est.
At $25.03/hr, a school counselor working full-time (40 hr/wk) in Queen Creek, AZ can expect to earn approximately $52,068 per year (2026 est.). Part-time hygienists working 24 hours per week would earn around $30,039. With a cost-of-living index of 98.50 (below the national average), these earnings stretch further in Queen Creek.
Hourly Rate Calculator
Schedule Comparison in Queen Creek
| Schedule | Weekly | Monthly | Annual |
|---|---|---|---|
| Full-Time (40 hrs) | $1,001.31 | $4,339 | $52,068 |
| Part-Time (24 hrs) | $600.79 | $2,603 | $31,241 |
| Per Diem (16 hrs) | $400.53 | $1,736 | $20,827 |
Compare SC, LSC Wages With Similar Roles
| Role | Median Hourly |
|---|---|
| School Counselor (Queen Creek) | $25.03 |
| 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 Queen Creek, AZ earn a median of $52,070 per year (2026 est.), which is 19.06% lower than the national median of $64,335 and 0.80% below the Arizona state average of $52,490.
School Counselor Hourly Pay vs. Cost of Living
Working 24h/week at $25.03/hr = $31,241/year (purchasing power: $31,717).
Working 40h/week (full-time) = $52,068/year (purchasing power: $52,861).
CoL index: 98.5 (100 = national average). Your dollars stretch further here.
2019 BLS Actual
$21.75/hr
2025 BLS Actual
$24.53/hr
2026 Current Est.
$25.03/hr
2019–2027 Growth
+17.5%
Hourly Rate Trajectory for School Counselors in Queen Creek (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 2.05% projection.
| Year | Hourly Rate | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $21.75/hr | Actual |
| 2020 | $22.16/hr | Actual |
| 2021 | $23.07/hr | Actual |
| 2022 | $22.93/hr | Actual |
| 2023 | $23.53/hr | Actual |
| 2024 | $29.13/hr | Actual |
| 2025 | $24.53/hr | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $25.03/hr | Estimated |
| 2027 | $25.55/hr | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, the median hourly rate for school counselors in Queen Creek grew 12.8% from $21.75/hr (2019) to $24.53/hr (2025). At a 2.05% projected growth rate, hourly pay is expected to reach $25.55/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 Queen Creek 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 Queen Creek
When assessing the financial potential of a school counselor in Queen Creek, it becomes apparent that part-time roles might yield annual earnings significantly lower than full-time positions. A school counselor working a typical 24-hour week may earn around $31,200 annually, compared to a full-time role leading to salaries closer to $52,070. The per diem school counselor pay in Queen Creek can vary widely, particularly within private college settings, where hourly rates for direct consulting might soar to $150-$400, showing a stark contrast to public school compensation structures tied to K-12 step-and-lane pay scales. For many in the field, the decision often involves weighing lower hourly wages against the benefits of health insurance offered by full-time positions versus the freedom of agency or per diem roles. Counselors should approach negotiations by emphasizing their training and unique skills, especially in a market where the mental health needs of students are increasingly recognized and funded following the pandemic.
More salary data for Queen Creek, 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 Queen Creek. 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 Queen Creek 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