School Counselor Hourly Pay in San Tan Valley, AZ: $25.37 (2026)
Quick Answer:Hourly pay for a school counselor working in San Tan Valley, AZ runs $25.37 at the median for 2026 — annualizing to $52,768 at a standard 2,080-hour year. Figures projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 21-1012). Weighted against San Tan Valley's regional price level (BEA RPP 98.5, 1% below national), each hour of work buys what $25.76 nationally would. A 24-hour part-time schedule grosses $31,661 per year.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
In San Tan Valley, Arizona, the school counselor hourly pay stands at a median rate of $25.37, which is significantly lower than the national median of $30.93. This rate may influence part-time counselors who work in various educational settings, such as elementary classrooms providing guidance lessons, middle schools offering small group counseling, or high schools focusing on individual counseling and crisis response. The hourly wage range in the area varies from $17.46 for entry-level positions (P10) to as high as $39.32 for experienced counselors (P90), reflecting the diverse responsibilities and expertise levels found in the profession. These figures, estimated from projected annual salary data, highlight the financial context for school counselors, encompassing traditional K-12 roles as well as broader counseling responsibilities in educational institutions.
About the San Tan Valley 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) | $17.46 | $139.69 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $20.78 | $166.22 |
| Median (P50) | $25.37 | $202.96 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $32.19 | $257.49 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $39.32 | $314.56 |
Estimated Annual Income by Work Schedule in San Tan Valley
Based on $25.37/hr median hourly rate · 2026 est.
At $25.37/hr, a school counselor working full-time (40 hr/wk) in San Tan Valley, AZ can expect to earn approximately $52,769 per year (2026 est.). Part-time hygienists working 24 hours per week would earn around $30,444. With a cost-of-living index of 98.50 (below the national average), these earnings stretch further in San Tan Valley.
Hourly Rate Calculator
Schedule Comparison in San Tan Valley
| Schedule | Weekly | Monthly | Annual |
|---|---|---|---|
| Full-Time (40 hrs) | $1,014.79 | $4,397 | $52,769 |
| Part-Time (24 hrs) | $608.87 | $2,638 | $31,661 |
| Per Diem (16 hrs) | $405.91 | $1,759 | $21,108 |
Compare SC, LSC Wages With Similar Roles
| Role | Median Hourly |
|---|---|
| School Counselor (San Tan Valley) | $25.37 |
| 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 San Tan Valley, AZ earn a median of $52,768 per year (2026 est.), which is 17.98% lower than the national median of $64,335 and 0.50% above the Arizona state average of $52,505.
School Counselor Hourly Pay vs. Cost of Living
Working 24h/week at $25.37/hr = $31,661/year (purchasing power: $32,143).
Working 40h/week (full-time) = $52,769/year (purchasing power: $53,572).
CoL index: 98.5 (100 = national average). Your dollars stretch further here.
2019 BLS Actual
$22.04/hr
2025 BLS Actual
$24.86/hr
2026 Current Est.
$25.37/hr
2019–2027 Growth
+17.5%
Hourly Rate Trajectory for School Counselors in San Tan Valley (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 2.05% projection.
| Year | Hourly Rate | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $22.04/hr | Actual |
| 2020 | $22.46/hr | Actual |
| 2021 | $23.38/hr | Actual |
| 2022 | $23.24/hr | Actual |
| 2023 | $23.85/hr | Actual |
| 2024 | $29.52/hr | Actual |
| 2025 | $24.86/hr | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $25.37/hr | Estimated |
| 2027 | $25.89/hr | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, the median hourly rate for school counselors in San Tan Valley grew 12.8% from $22.04/hr (2019) to $24.86/hr (2025). At a 2.05% projected growth rate, hourly pay is expected to reach $25.89/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 San Tan Valley 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 San Tan Valley
Evaluating part-time counseling roles, a professional working three days per week (approximately 24 hours) will see their net income differ significantly compared to full-time employment. The per diem school counselor pay in San Tan Valley presents another perspective: while school district counselors may earn lower hourly rates, private college consultants can charge up to $400 an hour in higher cost-of-living markets for specialized services. With a variety of employers – K-12 public schools, charter institutions, and private educational settings – each might offer differing financial incentives. Some counselors opt for the stability of benefits in school districts despite lower pay, while others may prioritize higher hourly wages in temporary or per diem roles, especially when negotiating salary and benefits packages. Counselors in this region should understand their worth and the local job market dynamics to negotiate effectively for their desired compensation, considering the implications of health insurance versus pay rates on their overall earnings.
More salary data for San Tan Valley, 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 San Tan Valley. 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 San Tan Valley 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