School Counselor Hourly Pay in Jacksonville, FL: $26.70 (2026)
Quick Answer:Hourly pay for a school counselor working in Jacksonville, FL runs $26.70 at the median for 2026 — annualizing to $55,525 at a standard 2,080-hour year. Figures projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 21-1012). Weighted against Jacksonville's regional price level (BEA RPP 99.5, 1% below national), each hour of work buys what $26.83 nationally would. A 24-hour part-time schedule grosses $33,317 per year.
Official BLS data · View source

In Jacksonville, Florida, school counselors earn a median hourly rate of $26.70, which is significantly lower than the national median of $30.93. This hourly pay structure provides options for part-time professionals, who may work three days a week, typically totaling around 24 hours, which translates to a viable work-life balance. For those considering a per-diem role, such as providing crisis response services or individual counseling in high school settings, the wage may vary considerably. Entry-level school counselors start at approximately $19.33 hourly, while the highest earners make around $36.91. Such disparities can occur across various environments, including elementary schools, middle school group counseling, and higher education counseling offices, reflecting the importance of context in determining pay across these settings. This data derives from estimates based on 2025 BLS OEWS data, projected to 2026.
School Counselor Hourly Wage Breakdown
| Percentile | Hourly Rate | Per 8hr Shift |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $19.33 | $154.63 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $23.11 | $184.91 |
| Median (P50) | $26.70 | $213.57 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $35.45 | $283.62 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $36.91 | $295.29 |
Estimated Annual Income by Work Schedule in Jacksonville
Based on $26.70/hr median hourly rate · 2026 est.
At $26.70/hr, a school counselor working full-time (40 hr/wk) in Jacksonville, FL can expect to earn approximately $55,528 per year (2026 est.). Part-time hygienists working 24 hours per week would earn around $32,036. With a cost-of-living index of 99.48 (below the national average), these earnings stretch further in Jacksonville.
Hourly Rate Calculator
Schedule Comparison in Jacksonville
| Schedule | Weekly | Monthly | Annual |
|---|---|---|---|
| Full-Time (40 hrs) | $1,067.85 | $4,627 | $55,528 |
| Part-Time (24 hrs) | $640.71 | $2,776 | $33,317 |
| Per Diem (16 hrs) | $427.14 | $1,851 | $22,211 |
Compare SC, LSC Wages With Similar Roles
| Role | Median Hourly |
|---|---|
| School Counselor (Jacksonville) | $26.70 |
| 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 Jacksonville, FL earn a median of $55,525 per year (2026 est.), which is 13.69% lower than the national median of $64,335 and 3.60% below the Florida state average of $57,599.
School Counselor Hourly Pay vs. Cost of Living
Working 24h/week at $26.70/hr = $33,317/year (purchasing power: $33,490).
Working 40h/week (full-time) = $55,528/year (purchasing power: $55,816).
CoL index: 99.484 (100 = national average). Your dollars stretch further here.
2019 BLS Actual
$22.99/hr
2025 BLS Actual
$26.16/hr
2026 Current Est.
$26.70/hr
2019–2027 Growth
+18.5%
Hourly Rate Trajectory for School Counselors in Jacksonville (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 2.05% projection.
| Year | Hourly Rate | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $22.99/hr | Actual |
| 2020 | $24.48/hr | Actual |
| 2021 | $22.88/hr | Actual |
| 2022 | $22.70/hr | Actual |
| 2023 | $23.34/hr | Actual |
| 2024 | $24.38/hr | Actual |
| 2025 | $26.16/hr | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $26.70/hr | Estimated |
| 2027 | $27.24/hr | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, the median hourly rate for school counselors in Jacksonville grew 13.8% from $22.99/hr (2019) to $26.16/hr (2025). At a 2.05% projected growth rate, hourly pay is expected to reach $27.24/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 Jacksonville 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 Jacksonville
Focusing on part-time earnings, a school counselor working 24 hours a week may expect to take home approximately $33,393 annually, a stark contrast to full-time professionals earning significantly more due to their expanded hours. The environment often dictates the earning potential, with per diem school counselor pay in Jacksonville varying widely based on factors such as demand and specific job assignments. While substitute coverage for school counselors remains rare, private college counselors can command between $150 and $400 per hour for direct-pay consulting. It’s worth considering that counselors in K-12 public school districts often follow a structured step-and-lane salary format similar to teachers, which can affect hourly wages compared to those working in charter or private institutions. While some may choose lower hourly wages for essential benefits like health insurance, others opt for higher pay rates without the assurance of benefits. Counselors in Jacksonville should be strategic in negotiations, emphasizing how their skills align with the unique needs of the districts or institutions they approach.
More salary data for Jacksonville, FL:
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the hourly rate for school counselors in Jacksonville in 2026?
How much do part-time school counselors make in Jacksonville?
Are school counselors in Jacksonville paid hourly or salary?
How much does a full-time school counselor make per year in Jacksonville?
Do school counselors earn more per hour working part-time in Jacksonville?
Related Pages
Compare Salaries
Career Resources
Nearby Cities in Florida
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 Jacksonville. 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