School Counselor Hourly Pay in Benton, AR: $29.04 (2026)
Quick Answer:Hourly pay for a school counselor working in Benton, AR runs $29.04 at the median for 2026 — annualizing to $60,412 at a standard 2,080-hour year. Figures projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 21-1012). Weighted against Benton's regional price level (BEA RPP 86.9, 13% below national), each hour of work buys what $33.42 nationally would. A 24-hour part-time schedule grosses $36,246 per year.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
In Benton, Arkansas, school counselors earn a median hourly pay of $29.04, which is slightly below the national median of $30.93. This rate offers considerable earning potential for part-time workers, such as those employed three days a week, who focus on roles in various educational settings including elementary classroom guidance, middle school small group counseling, high school individual sessions, and college counseling resources. The hourly range spans from $20.22 for entry-level counselors to $45.01 for experienced professionals, reflecting the breadth of experience and responsibilities. These figures, extracted from annual salary projections, illustrate the financial parameters that govern the profession locally, where the need for school counseling support continues to grow amidst funding expansions aimed at addressing mental health challenges in schools.
About the Benton Market
Salary estimated from Arkansas average ($55,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
School Counselor Hourly Wage Breakdown
| Percentile | Hourly Rate | Per 8hr Shift |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $20.22 | $161.73 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $22.83 | $182.63 |
| Median (P50) | $29.04 | $232.35 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $36.69 | $293.50 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $45.01 | $360.11 |
Estimated Annual Income by Work Schedule in Benton
Based on $29.04/hr median hourly rate · 2026 est.
At $29.04/hr, a school counselor working full-time (40 hr/wk) in Benton, AR can expect to earn approximately $60,410 per year (2026 est.). Part-time hygienists working 24 hours per week would earn around $34,852. With a cost-of-living index of 86.90 (below the national average), these earnings stretch further in Benton.
Hourly Rate Calculator
Schedule Comparison in Benton
| Schedule | Weekly | Monthly | Annual |
|---|---|---|---|
| Full-Time (40 hrs) | $1,161.74 | $5,034 | $60,410 |
| Part-Time (24 hrs) | $697.04 | $3,021 | $36,246 |
| Per Diem (16 hrs) | $464.69 | $2,014 | $24,164 |
Compare SC, LSC Wages With Similar Roles
| Role | Median Hourly |
|---|---|
| School Counselor (Benton) | $29.04 |
| 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 Benton, AR earn a median of $60,412 per year (2026 est.), which is 6.10% lower than the national median of $64,335 and 2.00% below the Arkansas state average of $61,644.
School Counselor Hourly Pay vs. Cost of Living
Working 24h/week at $29.04/hr = $36,246/year (purchasing power: $41,710).
Working 40h/week (full-time) = $60,410/year (purchasing power: $69,517).
CoL index: 86.9 (100 = national average). Your dollars stretch further here.
2019 BLS Actual
$25.23/hr
2025 BLS Actual
$28.46/hr
2026 Current Est.
$29.04/hr
2019–2027 Growth
+17.5%
Hourly Rate Trajectory for School Counselors in Benton (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 2.05% projection.
| Year | Hourly Rate | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $25.23/hr | Actual |
| 2020 | $25.71/hr | Actual |
| 2021 | $26.77/hr | Actual |
| 2022 | $26.61/hr | Actual |
| 2023 | $27.30/hr | Actual |
| 2024 | $22.51/hr | Actual |
| 2025 | $28.46/hr | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $29.04/hr | Estimated |
| 2027 | $29.64/hr | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, the median hourly rate for school counselors in Benton grew 12.8% from $25.23/hr (2019) to $28.46/hr (2025). At a 2.05% projected growth rate, hourly pay is expected to reach $29.64/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 Benton 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 Benton
For those considering part-time roles, a school counselor working 24 hours per week could anticipate an annual income of around $34,254, substantially lower than their full-time counterparts. The possibility of earning through per diem work exists, particularly for counselors who take on contract or locum positions; this avenue can command fees ranging from $150 to $400 per hour in higher cost-of-living markets, significantly exceeding local rates. The hourly pay may also fluctuate based on the institution type, with K-12 public schools typically adhering to the same salary structure as teachers, while private and charter institutions might offer different arrangements. Counselors often weigh the trade-offs between receiving a lower hourly rate with benefits like health insurance against higher pay in roles without such perks. Those aiming to negotiate their hourly pay in Benton could benefit from understanding local market trends and being prepared to leverage their specific skillsets and experiences in negotiations.
More salary data for Benton, AR:
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 Benton. 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 Benton 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