School Counselor Hourly Pay in Hammond, LA: $28.57 (2026)
Quick Answer:Hourly pay for a school counselor working in Hammond, LA runs $28.57 at the median for 2026 — annualizing to $59,435 at a standard 2,080-hour year. Figures projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 21-1012). Weighted against Hammond's regional price level (BEA RPP 84.5, 16% below national), each hour of work buys what $33.83 nationally would. A 24-hour part-time schedule grosses $35,660 per year.
Official BLS data · View source
In Hammond, Louisiana, the school counselor hourly pay is projected at $28.57 per hour in 2026, slightly below the national hourly median of $30.93. For those working part-time, this translates to income that might suffice for a modest lifestyle, particularly in a region where the cost of living index stands at 84.46. A school counselor working three days a week typically provides essential services across various educational settings, such as leading guidance lessons in elementary schools or facilitating small-group counseling at the middle school level. The hourly pay range spans from $18.50 for entry-level positions to $34.73 for seasoned professionals, reflecting the growing demand for school counselors in light of increased post-COVID mental health funding and the push toward meeting the American School Counselor Association’s (ASCA) student-to-counselor ratio recommendations.
School Counselor Hourly Wage Breakdown
| Percentile | Hourly Rate | Per 8hr Shift |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $18.50 | $148.01 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $25.88 | $207.04 |
| Median (P50) | $28.57 | $228.59 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $28.57 | $228.59 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $34.73 | $277.82 |
Estimated Annual Income by Work Schedule in Hammond
Based on $28.57/hr median hourly rate · 2026 est.
At $28.57/hr, a school counselor working full-time (40 hr/wk) in Hammond, LA can expect to earn approximately $59,434 per year (2026 est.). Part-time hygienists working 24 hours per week would earn around $34,289. With a cost-of-living index of 84.46 (below the national average), these earnings stretch further in Hammond.
Hourly Rate Calculator
Schedule Comparison in Hammond
| Schedule | Weekly | Monthly | Annual |
|---|---|---|---|
| Full-Time (40 hrs) | $1,142.96 | $4,953 | $59,434 |
| Part-Time (24 hrs) | $685.78 | $2,972 | $35,660 |
| Per Diem (16 hrs) | $457.18 | $1,981 | $23,774 |
Compare SC, LSC Wages With Similar Roles
| Role | Median Hourly |
|---|---|
| School Counselor (Hammond) | $28.57 |
| 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 Hammond, LA earn a median of $59,435 per year (2026 est.), which is 7.62% lower than the national median of $64,335 and 2.40% below the Louisiana state average of $60,896.
School Counselor Hourly Pay vs. Cost of Living
Working 24h/week at $28.57/hr = $35,660/year (purchasing power: $42,222).
Working 40h/week (full-time) = $59,434/year (purchasing power: $70,369).
CoL index: 84.46 (100 = national average). Your dollars stretch further here.
2019 BLS Actual
$24.42/hr
2025 BLS Actual
$28.00/hr
2026 Current Est.
$28.57/hr
2019–2027 Growth
+19.4%
Hourly Rate Trajectory for School Counselors in Hammond (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 2.05% projection.
| Year | Hourly Rate | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $24.42/hr | Actual |
| 2020 | $25.09/hr | Actual |
| 2021 | $29.52/hr | Actual |
| 2022 | $28.69/hr | Actual |
| 2023 | $27.35/hr | Actual |
| 2024 | $30.28/hr | Actual |
| 2025 | $28.00/hr | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $28.57/hr | Estimated |
| 2027 | $29.16/hr | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, the median hourly rate for school counselors in Hammond grew 14.7% from $24.42/hr (2019) to $28.00/hr (2025). At a 2.05% projected growth rate, hourly pay is expected to reach $29.16/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 Hammond 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 Hammond
When considering the financial landscape for school counselors in Hammond, part-time counselors earning $28.57 per hour would take home around $35,000 annually while working a basic schedule of 24 hours each week. In contrast, full-time counselors enjoy greater earnings alongside benefits, but face the challenge of managing larger caseloads—a reality common in K-12 settings where the counselor-to-student ratio often exceeds ASCA recommendations. For those seeking to work as per diem school counselors, private colleges may offer rates anywhere from $150 to $400 per hour in higher-cost living markets. Each environment presents distinct advantages: some counselors prefer the stability of K-12 jobs with health insurance, while others may prioritize higher hourly rates without benefits. Additionally, potential counselors should approach negotiations with awareness of their unique value to educational institutions in Hammond, recognizing the impact mental health support has on student well-being amid the ongoing demand for effective services in today’s schools.
More salary data for Hammond, LA:
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 Hammond. 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