School Counselor Hourly Pay in Baltimore, MD: $35.93 (2026)
Quick Answer:Hourly pay for a school counselor working in Baltimore, MD runs $35.93 at the median for 2026 — annualizing to $74,747 at a standard 2,080-hour year. Figures projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 21-1012). Weighted against Baltimore's regional price level (BEA RPP 104.5, 4% above national), each hour of work buys what $34.39 nationally would. A 24-hour part-time schedule grosses $44,843 per year.
Official BLS data · View source
In Baltimore, the school counselor hourly pay is projected to reach $35.93 in 2026, significantly above the national median hourly rate of $30.93. This higher rate reflects the city’s unique demand for school counseling services across various educational settings, including elementary classrooms, middle school group sessions, and high school individual counseling offices. For part-time professionals working three days a week, this translates to all the necessary resources for supporting students in diverse challenges. The hourly pay range for school counselors in Baltimore extends from $23.18 for entry-level positions to $51.12 for top earners, providing a clear pathway for career advancement while emphasizing the critical role counselors play. These figures are based on 2025 BLS OEWS data, projected to 2026.
School Counselor Hourly Wage Breakdown
| Percentile | Hourly Rate | Per 8hr Shift |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $23.18 | $185.40 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $29.34 | $234.72 |
| Median (P50) | $35.93 | $287.45 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $46.51 | $372.12 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $51.12 | $408.93 |
Estimated Annual Income by Work Schedule in Baltimore
Based on $35.93/hr median hourly rate · 2026 est.
At $35.93/hr, a school counselor working full-time (40 hr/wk) in Baltimore, MD can expect to earn approximately $74,738 per year (2026 est.). Part-time hygienists working 24 hours per week would earn around $43,118. With a cost-of-living index of 104.49 (above the national average), these earnings may be offset by higher expenses in Baltimore.
Hourly Rate Calculator
Schedule Comparison in Baltimore
| Schedule | Weekly | Monthly | Annual |
|---|---|---|---|
| Full-Time (40 hrs) | $1,437.27 | $6,228 | $74,738 |
| Part-Time (24 hrs) | $862.36 | $3,737 | $44,843 |
| Per Diem (16 hrs) | $574.91 | $2,491 | $29,895 |
Compare SC, LSC Wages With Similar Roles
| Role | Median Hourly |
|---|---|
| School Counselor (Baltimore) | $35.93 |
| 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 Baltimore, MD earn a median of $74,747 per year (2026 est.), which is 16.18% higher than the national median of $64,335 and 8.50% above the Maryland state average of $68,891.
School Counselor Hourly Pay vs. Cost of Living
Working 24h/week at $35.93/hr = $44,843/year (purchasing power: $42,917).
Working 40h/week (full-time) = $74,738/year (purchasing power: $71,529).
CoL index: 104.487 (100 = national average).
2019 BLS Actual
$30.60/hr
2025 BLS Actual
$35.21/hr
2026 Current Est.
$35.93/hr
2019–2027 Growth
+19.8%
Hourly Rate Trajectory for School Counselors in Baltimore (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 2.05% projection.
| Year | Hourly Rate | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $30.60/hr | Actual |
| 2020 | $29.23/hr | Actual |
| 2021 | $30.34/hr | Actual |
| 2022 | $30.01/hr | Actual |
| 2023 | $31.58/hr | Actual |
| 2024 | $35.42/hr | Actual |
| 2025 | $35.21/hr | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $35.93/hr | Estimated |
| 2027 | $36.67/hr | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, the median hourly rate for school counselors in Baltimore grew 15.1% from $30.60/hr (2019) to $35.21/hr (2025). At a 2.05% projected growth rate, hourly pay is expected to reach $36.67/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 Baltimore 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 Baltimore
When considering part-time school counselors working a typical 24-hour week (about three days), they can expect to take home approximately $44,000 annually, compared to full-time counterparts who earn a robust $74,747 per year. The per diem school counselor pay in Baltimore varies widely, with private college counselors charging between $150 and $400 per hour for specialized consulting roles, reflecting the high cost of living and demand for services. Counselors employed by K-12 institutions typically follow a structured salary scale similar to teachers, where compensation can differ significantly among public, charter, and private schools. Additionally, those willing to trade off a lower rate for robust health insurance may find themselves better supported in the long run. Practical negotiation tips include highlighting specific skills and certifications, such as ASCA or CACREP accreditation, to advocate for competitive pay within the growing post-COVID mental health-focused counseling framework.
More salary data for Baltimore, MD:
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 Baltimore. 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