School Counselor Hourly Pay in Monroe, LA: $34.82 (2026)
Quick Answer:Hourly pay for a school counselor working in Monroe, LA runs $34.82 at the median for 2026 — annualizing to $72,427 at a standard 2,080-hour year. Figures projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 21-1012). Weighted against Monroe's regional price level (BEA RPP 83.6, 16% below national), each hour of work buys what $41.65 nationally would. A 24-hour part-time schedule grosses $43,455 per year.
Official BLS data · View source
In Monroe, LA, school counselors are projected to earn a median hourly rate of $34.82 in 2026, surpassing the national median of $30.93. This higher pay can significantly benefit individuals working part-time, such as those counseling three days a week, as well as per-diem professionals. School counselors engage in diverse roles, from leading classroom guidance lessons in elementary schools to providing one-on-one counseling in high school settings. The hourly pay reflects a wide range, with entry-level practitioners earning around $22.41, while those at the top end of their careers can realize rates as high as $46.85. These figures, sourced from the Bureau of Labor Statistics data, highlight the evolving financial landscape for school counselors working in various educational environments throughout Monroe.
School Counselor Hourly Wage Breakdown
| Percentile | Hourly Rate | Per 8hr Shift |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $22.41 | $179.28 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $27.64 | $221.08 |
| Median (P50) | $34.82 | $278.56 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $46.85 | $374.81 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $46.85 | $374.81 |
Estimated Annual Income by Work Schedule in Monroe
Based on $34.82/hr median hourly rate · 2026 est.
At $34.82/hr, a school counselor working full-time (40 hr/wk) in Monroe, LA can expect to earn approximately $72,424 per year (2026 est.). Part-time hygienists working 24 hours per week would earn around $41,783. With a cost-of-living index of 83.60 (below the national average), these earnings stretch further in Monroe.
Hourly Rate Calculator
Schedule Comparison in Monroe
| Schedule | Weekly | Monthly | Annual |
|---|---|---|---|
| Full-Time (40 hrs) | $1,392.78 | $6,035 | $72,424 |
| Part-Time (24 hrs) | $835.67 | $3,621 | $43,455 |
| Per Diem (16 hrs) | $557.11 | $2,414 | $28,970 |
Compare SC, LSC Wages With Similar Roles
| Role | Median Hourly |
|---|---|
| School Counselor (Monroe) | $34.82 |
| 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 Monroe, LA earn a median of $72,427 per year (2026 est.), which is 12.58% higher than the national median of $64,335 and 19.00% above the Louisiana state average of $60,863.
School Counselor Hourly Pay vs. Cost of Living
Working 24h/week at $34.82/hr = $43,455/year (purchasing power: $51,981).
Working 40h/week (full-time) = $72,424/year (purchasing power: $86,635).
CoL index: 83.597 (100 = national average). Your dollars stretch further here.
2019 BLS Actual
$26.85/hr
2025 BLS Actual
$34.12/hr
2026 Current Est.
$34.82/hr
2019–2027 Growth
+32.3%
Hourly Rate Trajectory for School Counselors in Monroe (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 2.05% projection.
| Year | Hourly Rate | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $26.85/hr | Actual |
| 2020 | $27.56/hr | Actual |
| 2021 | $29.85/hr | Actual |
| 2022 | $25.57/hr | Actual |
| 2023 | $29.90/hr | Actual |
| 2024 | $28.51/hr | Actual |
| 2025 | $34.12/hr | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $34.82/hr | Estimated |
| 2027 | $35.53/hr | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, the median hourly rate for school counselors in Monroe grew 27.1% from $26.85/hr (2019) to $34.12/hr (2025). At a 2.05% projected growth rate, hourly pay is expected to reach $35.53/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 Monroe 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 Monroe
Considering the earning potential for school counselors who work part-time, namely those on a 3-day work schedule, they might take home a substantial sum annually, but this will always be less than their full-time counterparts. Per diem school counselor pay in Monroe can vary, especially when compared to the much higher costs for direct-pay college admissions consulting in larger markets, which may charge anywhere from $150 to $400 per hour. Hourly rates may also shift depending on whether the teacher is employed by K-12 public school districts, charter institutions, private schools, or Department of Defense Education Activity (DoDEA) schools, with the compensation often reflecting the protections and benefits offered by these employers. Counselors might find that accepting a lower hourly rate within a district offers them crucial health insurance and retirement benefits, making this a practical choice for many. Those negotiating their salaries should emphasize their unique skills and value while staying informed about the local market trends, ensuring they secure competitive compensation in the Monroe area.
More salary data for Monroe, 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 Monroe. 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