School Counselor Hourly Pay in Metairie, LA: $28.56 (2026)
Quick Answer:Hourly pay for a school counselor working in Metairie, LA runs $28.56 at the median for 2026 — annualizing to $59,421 at a standard 2,080-hour year. Figures projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 21-1012). Weighted against Metairie's regional price level (BEA RPP 90.3, 10% below national), each hour of work buys what $31.63 nationally would. A 24-hour part-time schedule grosses $35,648 per year.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
In Metairie, Louisiana, school counselors earn a median hourly pay of $28.56, which is slightly below the national hourly median of $30.93. This pay structure offers diverse opportunities for part-time employees who might work three days a week, potentially bringing home a stable income while fitting their schedules around ongoing education or personal commitments. The hourly wage varies significantly based on experience and employer, with entry-level positions starting around $18.72, whereas more experienced counselors can earn up to $44.28 per hour. Given that many counselors operate in settings like elementary schools, middle school counseling groups, or high school individual counseling offices, hourly pay can be crucial for balancing work and life, particularly in a profession where the demand for mental health support is rising.
About the Metairie Market
Salary estimated from Louisiana average ($58,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
School Counselor Hourly Wage Breakdown
| Percentile | Hourly Rate | Per 8hr Shift |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $18.72 | $149.73 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $23.38 | $187.04 |
| Median (P50) | $28.56 | $228.51 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $36.56 | $292.52 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $44.28 | $354.24 |
Estimated Annual Income by Work Schedule in Metairie
Based on $28.56/hr median hourly rate · 2026 est.
At $28.56/hr, a school counselor working full-time (40 hr/wk) in Metairie, LA can expect to earn approximately $59,413 per year (2026 est.). Part-time hygienists working 24 hours per week would earn around $34,277. With a cost-of-living index of 90.30 (below the national average), these earnings stretch further in Metairie.
Hourly Rate Calculator
Schedule Comparison in Metairie
| Schedule | Weekly | Monthly | Annual |
|---|---|---|---|
| Full-Time (40 hrs) | $1,142.55 | $4,951 | $59,413 |
| Part-Time (24 hrs) | $685.53 | $2,971 | $35,648 |
| Per Diem (16 hrs) | $457.02 | $1,980 | $23,765 |
Compare SC, LSC Wages With Similar Roles
| Role | Median Hourly |
|---|---|
| School Counselor (Metairie) | $28.56 |
| 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 Metairie, LA earn a median of $59,421 per year (2026 est.), which is 7.64% lower than the national median of $64,335 and 2.40% below the Louisiana state average of $60,882.
School Counselor Hourly Pay vs. Cost of Living
Working 24h/week at $28.56/hr = $35,648/year (purchasing power: $39,477).
Working 40h/week (full-time) = $59,413/year (purchasing power: $65,795).
CoL index: 90.3 (100 = national average). Your dollars stretch further here.
2019 BLS Actual
$24.82/hr
2025 BLS Actual
$27.99/hr
2026 Current Est.
$28.56/hr
2019–2027 Growth
+17.5%
Hourly Rate Trajectory for School Counselors in Metairie (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 2.05% projection.
| Year | Hourly Rate | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $24.82/hr | Actual |
| 2020 | $25.29/hr | Actual |
| 2021 | $26.33/hr | Actual |
| 2022 | $26.17/hr | Actual |
| 2023 | $26.85/hr | Actual |
| 2024 | $25.52/hr | Actual |
| 2025 | $27.99/hr | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $28.56/hr | Estimated |
| 2027 | $29.15/hr | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, the median hourly rate for school counselors in Metairie grew 12.8% from $24.82/hr (2019) to $27.99/hr (2025). At a 2.05% projected growth rate, hourly pay is expected to reach $29.15/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 Metairie 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 Metairie
For part-time counselors working three days a week at 24 hours, their annual take-home might amount to approximately $36,650 before taxes, significantly less than if they were to work full-time. Per diem school counselors in Metairie often find that while substitute placements for K-12 roles are limited, private sector opportunities, such as direct-pay college admissions consulting, can yield impressive rates of $150 to $400 per hour. In different educational environments, hourly rates can vary. Counselors working in K-12 public school districts may earn less than those in charter schools or private institutions, with trade-offs often made between a higher hourly pay without benefits and a lower rate that includes health insurance. In negotiations, school counselors might emphasize their relevant experience and the increasing demand for mental health services to justify higher pay rates. Familiarity with local job market trends and specific school district funding can strengthen their negotiating position right here in Metairie, LA.
More salary data for Metairie, 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 Metairie. 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 Metairie 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