School Counselor Hourly Pay in North Little Rock, AR: $29.21 (2026)
Quick Answer:Hourly pay for a school counselor working in North Little Rock, AR runs $29.21 at the median for 2026 — annualizing to $60,755 at a standard 2,080-hour year. Figures projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 21-1012). Weighted against North Little Rock's regional price level (BEA RPP 86.9, 13% below national), each hour of work buys what $33.61 nationally would. A 24-hour part-time schedule grosses $36,450 per year.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
In 2026, school counselors in North Little Rock, Arkansas, are projected to earn a median hourly rate of $29.21. This amount is slightly lower than the national median hourly pay of $30.93, reflecting regional economic conditions and job demand. For those working part-time—such as three days a week, equating to approximately 24 hours—the take-home pay might lead to around $33,626 annually, making it a viable option for individuals balancing personal obligations with their professional careers. School environments vary from elementary guidance lessons to high school counseling offices, offering counselors a range of hourly earnings based on their experience level. Entry-level counselors may start at about $20.91 per hour, while experienced professionals can reach as high as $45.27 per hour, emphasizing a wide financial disparity within this essential role.
About the North Little Rock 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) | $20.91 | $167.28 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $23.50 | $188.02 |
| Median (P50) | $29.21 | $233.65 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $37.39 | $299.13 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $45.27 | $362.16 |
Estimated Annual Income by Work Schedule in North Little Rock
Based on $29.21/hr median hourly rate · 2026 est.
At $29.21/hr, a school counselor working full-time (40 hr/wk) in North Little Rock, AR can expect to earn approximately $60,750 per year (2026 est.). Part-time hygienists working 24 hours per week would earn around $35,048. With a cost-of-living index of 86.90 (below the national average), these earnings stretch further in North Little Rock.
Hourly Rate Calculator
Schedule Comparison in North Little Rock
| Schedule | Weekly | Monthly | Annual |
|---|---|---|---|
| Full-Time (40 hrs) | $1,168.27 | $5,062 | $60,750 |
| Part-Time (24 hrs) | $700.96 | $3,037 | $36,450 |
| Per Diem (16 hrs) | $467.31 | $2,025 | $24,300 |
Compare SC, LSC Wages With Similar Roles
| Role | Median Hourly |
|---|---|
| School Counselor (North Little Rock) | $29.21 |
| 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 North Little Rock, AR earn a median of $60,755 per year (2026 est.), which is 5.56% lower than the national median of $64,335 and 1.50% below the Arkansas state average of $61,681.
School Counselor Hourly Pay vs. Cost of Living
Working 24h/week at $29.21/hr = $36,450/year (purchasing power: $41,945).
Working 40h/week (full-time) = $60,750/year (purchasing power: $69,908).
CoL index: 86.9 (100 = national average). Your dollars stretch further here.
2019 BLS Actual
$25.38/hr
2025 BLS Actual
$28.62/hr
2026 Current Est.
$29.21/hr
2019–2027 Growth
+17.5%
Hourly Rate Trajectory for School Counselors in North Little Rock (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 2.05% projection.
| Year | Hourly Rate | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $25.38/hr | Actual |
| 2020 | $25.86/hr | Actual |
| 2021 | $26.92/hr | Actual |
| 2022 | $26.76/hr | Actual |
| 2023 | $27.45/hr | Actual |
| 2024 | $22.41/hr | Actual |
| 2025 | $28.62/hr | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $29.21/hr | Estimated |
| 2027 | $29.81/hr | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, the median hourly rate for school counselors in North Little Rock grew 12.8% from $25.38/hr (2019) to $28.62/hr (2025). At a 2.05% projected growth rate, hourly pay is expected to reach $29.81/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 North Little Rock 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 North Little Rock
Hourly pay structures also reveal intriguing aspects about job environments and potential earnings for school counselors in North Little Rock. Those pursuing per diem opportunities may find themselves earning considerably more as private college counselors, charging from $150 to $400 per hour. With the recent expansion of mental health funding post-COVID, there has been an uptick in demand for counselors, allowing for various employment types, including K-12 public schools, private institutions, and even Department of Defense Education Activity (DoDEA) schools. While some educators settle for lower hourly rates for the benefits of health insurance, others might prefer more flexible arrangements at higher pay without benefits. For professionals in North Little Rock, negotiating salary can be influenced by understanding employer types and the overall job market, ensuring that they seek compensation commensurate with their qualifications and the demands of the role.
More salary data for North Little Rock, 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 North Little Rock. 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 North Little Rock 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