School Counselor Hourly Pay in Alpharetta, GA: $28.55 (2026)
Quick Answer:Hourly pay for a school counselor working in Alpharetta, GA runs $28.55 at the median for 2026 — annualizing to $59,398 at a standard 2,080-hour year. Figures projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 21-1012). Weighted against Alpharetta's regional price level (BEA RPP 93.1, 7% below national), each hour of work buys what $30.67 nationally would. A 24-hour part-time schedule grosses $35,635 per year.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
In Alpharetta, Georgia, the projected school counselor hourly pay for 2026 is set at $28.55, reflecting a slight decrease compared to the national average hourly median of $30.93. This rate can significantly influence part-time and per-diem roles, especially in settings such as elementary classroom guidance, middle school counseling groups, and high school individual consultations. For counselors working three days a week, this median can equate to a viable income, particularly when factoring in flexibility and additional responsibilities like crisis response team coordination. Hourly wages for school counselors in the area range from $19.85 at entry-level positions to $44.26 for top earners, providing various opportunities depending on experience and the specific institution type, including public schools and charter organizations. As these figures are derived from estimated annual salaries, they serve as a useful benchmark for professionals in the field.
About the Alpharetta Market
Salary estimated from Georgia average ($64,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
School Counselor Hourly Wage Breakdown
| Percentile | Hourly Rate | Per 8hr Shift |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $19.85 | $158.79 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $22.46 | $179.69 |
| Median (P50) | $28.55 | $228.43 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $36.38 | $291.05 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $44.26 | $354.07 |
Estimated Annual Income by Work Schedule in Alpharetta
Based on $28.55/hr median hourly rate · 2026 est.
At $28.55/hr, a school counselor working full-time (40 hr/wk) in Alpharetta, GA can expect to earn approximately $59,391 per year (2026 est.). Part-time hygienists working 24 hours per week would earn around $34,264. With a cost-of-living index of 93.10 (below the national average), these earnings stretch further in Alpharetta.
Hourly Rate Calculator
Schedule Comparison in Alpharetta
| Schedule | Weekly | Monthly | Annual |
|---|---|---|---|
| Full-Time (40 hrs) | $1,142.14 | $4,949 | $59,391 |
| Part-Time (24 hrs) | $685.29 | $2,970 | $35,635 |
| Per Diem (16 hrs) | $456.86 | $1,980 | $23,757 |
Compare SC, LSC Wages With Similar Roles
| Role | Median Hourly |
|---|---|
| School Counselor (Alpharetta) | $28.55 |
| 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 Alpharetta, GA earn a median of $59,398 per year (2026 est.), which is 7.67% lower than the national median of $64,335 and 1.00% above the Georgia state average of $58,810.
School Counselor Hourly Pay vs. Cost of Living
Working 24h/week at $28.55/hr = $35,635/year (purchasing power: $38,276).
Working 40h/week (full-time) = $59,391/year (purchasing power: $63,793).
CoL index: 93.1 (100 = national average). Your dollars stretch further here.
2019 BLS Actual
$24.81/hr
2025 BLS Actual
$27.98/hr
2026 Current Est.
$28.55/hr
2019–2027 Growth
+17.5%
Hourly Rate Trajectory for School Counselors in Alpharetta (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 2.05% projection.
| Year | Hourly Rate | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $24.81/hr | Actual |
| 2020 | $25.28/hr | Actual |
| 2021 | $26.32/hr | Actual |
| 2022 | $26.16/hr | Actual |
| 2023 | $26.84/hr | Actual |
| 2024 | $28.94/hr | Actual |
| 2025 | $27.98/hr | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $28.55/hr | Estimated |
| 2027 | $29.14/hr | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, the median hourly rate for school counselors in Alpharetta grew 12.8% from $24.81/hr (2019) to $27.98/hr (2025). At a 2.05% projected growth rate, hourly pay is expected to reach $29.14/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 Alpharetta 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 Alpharetta
Focusing on part-time earning potential, a school counselor working 24 hours a week can expect an annual income somewhat lower than their full-time counterparts; however, the flexibility can be appealing. For instance, per diem school counselors in Alpharetta may charge from $150 to $400 per hour for consulting services in private settings, especially in high-cost-of-living markets. Some roles, particularly in K-12 institutions or Department of Defense Education Activity (DoDEA) schools, will pay less per hour but provide stability with benefits—a trade-off that many counselors must consider. While the local demand has grown due to the influx of mental health funding post-COVID, and counselor ratios remain higher than ASCA's recommended metrics, savvy negotiation can enhance hourly outcomes. Keeping abreast of pay scales, especially within the structured salary lanes of K-12 education, is crucial for a counselor aiming for optimal compensation while practicing in Alpharetta.
More salary data for Alpharetta, GA:
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the hourly rate for school counselors in Alpharetta in 2026?
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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 Alpharetta. 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 Alpharetta 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