School Counselor Hourly Pay in Atlanta, GA: $32.56 (2026)
Quick Answer:Hourly pay for a school counselor working in Atlanta, GA runs $32.56 at the median for 2026 — annualizing to $67,736 at a standard 2,080-hour year. Figures projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 21-1012). Weighted against Atlanta's regional price level (BEA RPP 100.1, 0% above national), each hour of work buys what $32.55 nationally would. A 24-hour part-time schedule grosses $40,640 per year.
Official BLS data · View source
In Atlanta, Georgia, school counselors earn a median hourly pay of $32.56, which exceeds the national median of $30.93. This competitive hourly rate presents various opportunities for part-time workers, particularly those engaging in roles such as elementary classroom guidance, middle school counseling groups, or high school individual sessions. For per-diem counselors, the earnings can significantly vary; they often find flexible opportunities in well-funded college counseling resource rooms or crisis response teams. The hourly compensation spans a range, with entry-level positions starting around $20.47 and experienced counselors potentially earning up to $51.06, showcasing the diverse financial landscape within this profession based on the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) data.
School Counselor Hourly Wage Breakdown
| Percentile | Hourly Rate | Per 8hr Shift |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $20.47 | $163.77 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $24.76 | $198.06 |
| Median (P50) | $32.56 | $260.51 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $44.37 | $354.97 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $51.06 | $408.44 |
Estimated Annual Income by Work Schedule in Atlanta
Based on $32.56/hr median hourly rate · 2026 est.
At $32.56/hr, a school counselor working full-time (40 hr/wk) in Atlanta, GA can expect to earn approximately $67,733 per year (2026 est.). Part-time hygienists working 24 hours per week would earn around $39,077. With a cost-of-living index of 100.06 (above the national average), these earnings may be offset by higher expenses in Atlanta.
Hourly Rate Calculator
Schedule Comparison in Atlanta
| Schedule | Weekly | Monthly | Annual |
|---|---|---|---|
| Full-Time (40 hrs) | $1,302.57 | $5,644 | $67,733 |
| Part-Time (24 hrs) | $781.54 | $3,387 | $40,640 |
| Per Diem (16 hrs) | $521.03 | $2,258 | $27,093 |
Compare SC, LSC Wages With Similar Roles
| Role | Median Hourly |
|---|---|
| School Counselor (Atlanta) | $32.56 |
| 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 Atlanta, GA earn a median of $67,736 per year (2026 est.), which is 5.29% higher than the national median of $64,335 and 15.20% above the Georgia state average of $58,798.
School Counselor Hourly Pay vs. Cost of Living
Working 24h/week at $32.56/hr = $40,640/year (purchasing power: $40,617).
Working 40h/week (full-time) = $67,733/year (purchasing power: $67,694).
CoL index: 100.058 (100 = national average).
2019 BLS Actual
$28.47/hr
2025 BLS Actual
$31.91/hr
2026 Current Est.
$32.56/hr
2019–2027 Growth
+16.7%
Hourly Rate Trajectory for School Counselors in Atlanta (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 2.05% projection.
| Year | Hourly Rate | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $28.47/hr | Actual |
| 2020 | $28.87/hr | Actual |
| 2021 | $30.00/hr | Actual |
| 2022 | $29.84/hr | Actual |
| 2023 | $30.89/hr | Actual |
| 2024 | $32.81/hr | Actual |
| 2025 | $31.91/hr | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $32.56/hr | Estimated |
| 2027 | $33.23/hr | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, the median hourly rate for school counselors in Atlanta grew 12.1% from $28.47/hr (2019) to $31.91/hr (2025). At a 2.05% projected growth rate, hourly pay is expected to reach $33.23/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 Atlanta 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 Atlanta
When considering part-time work, a school counselor in Atlanta, working three days a week (approximately 24 hours), could take home about $41,908 annually. Conversely, full-time counselors can expect significantly larger salaries but must weigh the benefits of health insurance against the higher hourly pay often found in private settings. Per diem school counselor pay in Atlanta can get competitive, particularly in private colleges, where consultants may command rates of $150-$400 per hour for direct-pay admissions advising. Additionally, the type of employer influences hourly earnings; K-12 public school districts generally adhere to a structured pay scale similar to teachers, while charter and private schools might offer more flexibility and potentially higher rates. School counselors should be adept at negotiating their hourly pay, considering both their immediate needs and the long-term benefits that come from stable employment situations.
More salary data for Atlanta, GA:
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 Atlanta. 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