School Counselor Hourly Pay in Rome, GA: $25.86 (2026)
Quick Answer:Hourly pay for a school counselor working in Rome, GA runs $25.86 at the median for 2026 — annualizing to $53,784 at a standard 2,080-hour year. Figures projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 21-1012). Weighted against Rome's regional price level (BEA RPP 90.2, 10% below national), each hour of work buys what $28.68 nationally would. A 24-hour part-time schedule grosses $32,273 per year.
Official BLS data · View source
With a median hourly pay of $25.86, school counselors in Rome, GA, earn less than the national median of $30.93. This pay scale is crucial for those seeking part-time opportunities or per-diem work in settings like elementary classrooms, middle school group counseling, and high school individual counseling offices. The hourly wage for school counselors in the region ranges from $18.11 at entry-level (P10) to $39.38 for the highest earners (P90), providing a diverse landscape of pay across experience and roles. Based on 2025 BLS OEWS data, projected to 2026, this hourly compensation reflects the ongoing demand for mental health support within schools, especially important following recent funding boosts aimed at addressing increased mental health needs in the student population.
School Counselor Hourly Wage Breakdown
| Percentile | Hourly Rate | Per 8hr Shift |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $18.11 | $144.91 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $22.17 | $177.32 |
| Median (P50) | $25.86 | $206.88 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $32.96 | $263.70 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $39.38 | $315.05 |
Estimated Annual Income by Work Schedule in Rome
Based on $25.86/hr median hourly rate · 2026 est.
At $25.86/hr, a school counselor working full-time (40 hr/wk) in Rome, GA can expect to earn approximately $53,788 per year (2026 est.). Part-time hygienists working 24 hours per week would earn around $31,031. With a cost-of-living index of 90.16 (below the national average), these earnings stretch further in Rome.
Hourly Rate Calculator
Schedule Comparison in Rome
| Schedule | Weekly | Monthly | Annual |
|---|---|---|---|
| Full-Time (40 hrs) | $1,034.38 | $4,482 | $53,788 |
| Part-Time (24 hrs) | $620.63 | $2,689 | $32,273 |
| Per Diem (16 hrs) | $413.75 | $1,793 | $21,515 |
Compare SC, LSC Wages With Similar Roles
| Role | Median Hourly |
|---|---|
| School Counselor (Rome) | $25.86 |
| 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 Rome, GA earn a median of $53,784 per year (2026 est.), which is 16.40% lower than the national median of $64,335 and 8.50% below the Georgia state average of $58,781.
School Counselor Hourly Pay vs. Cost of Living
Working 24h/week at $25.86/hr = $32,273/year (purchasing power: $35,794).
Working 40h/week (full-time) = $53,788/year (purchasing power: $59,657).
CoL index: 90.161 (100 = national average). Your dollars stretch further here.
2019 BLS Actual
$21.56/hr
2025 BLS Actual
$25.34/hr
2026 Current Est.
$25.86/hr
2019–2027 Growth
+22.4%
Hourly Rate Trajectory for School Counselors in Rome (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 2.05% projection.
| Year | Hourly Rate | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $21.56/hr | Actual |
| 2020 | $22.96/hr | Actual |
| 2021 | $23.13/hr | Actual |
| 2022 | $24.13/hr | Actual |
| 2023 | $23.90/hr | Actual |
| 2024 | $27.49/hr | Actual |
| 2025 | $25.34/hr | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $25.86/hr | Estimated |
| 2027 | $26.39/hr | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, the median hourly rate for school counselors in Rome grew 17.5% from $21.56/hr (2019) to $25.34/hr (2025). At a 2.05% projected growth rate, hourly pay is expected to reach $26.39/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 Rome 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 Rome
Counselors working part-time, for instance, would typically earn an estimated $31,008 annually if working a three-day week, significantly lower than their full-time counterparts. The per diem landscape for school counselors can vary widely, with some private college counselors charging upwards of $150-$400 per hour for specialized career guidance. This contrasts sharply with the K-12 public school setting, where counselors work within a structured pay scale that often adheres to the step-and-lane framework seen in teaching positions. Additionally, the shift towards more flexible counseling positions has unveiled potential earnings during the extended school year periods, where counselors can net an additional $5,000-$15,000. Understanding the nuances of employer types—like public schools versus private institutions—plays a vital role in hourly pay dynamics. For many, the choice comes down to whether to prioritize higher pay without benefits or to accept lower hourly wages in exchange for healthcare and retirement options. Negotiating these offers can be essential for counselors looking to make the most of their opportunities in Rome.
More salary data for Rome, 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 Rome. 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