School Counselor Hourly Pay in Catonsville, MD: $31.64 (2026)
Quick Answer:Hourly pay for a school counselor working in Catonsville, MD runs $31.64 at the median for 2026 — annualizing to $65,794 at a standard 2,080-hour year. Figures projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 21-1012). Weighted against Catonsville's regional price level (BEA RPP 109.3, 9% above national), each hour of work buys what $28.94 nationally would. A 24-hour part-time schedule grosses $39,481 per year.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
In Catonsville, Maryland, the projected school counselor hourly pay for 2026 is estimated at $31.64, representing a competitive figure when compared to the national median hourly rate of $30.93. This hourly wage can significantly influence part-time workers, such as those working three days a week, who may find themselves in a variety of settings, including elementary schools for guidance lessons or high schools for one-on-one counseling. The hourly pay range in the area spans from $23.42 for entry-level counselors to $49.02 for those at the higher end of the profession, reflecting differences in experience and specialization. These figures are derived from annual salary data, underscoring the financial framework within which school counselors operate in Catonsville.
About the Catonsville Market
Salary estimated from Maryland average ($78,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
School Counselor Hourly Wage Breakdown
| Percentile | Hourly Rate | Per 8hr Shift |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $23.42 | $187.36 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $25.80 | $206.39 |
| Median (P50) | $31.64 | $253.08 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $40.48 | $323.87 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $49.02 | $392.20 |
Estimated Annual Income by Work Schedule in Catonsville
Based on $31.64/hr median hourly rate · 2026 est.
At $31.64/hr, a school counselor working full-time (40 hr/wk) in Catonsville, MD can expect to earn approximately $65,802 per year (2026 est.). Part-time hygienists working 24 hours per week would earn around $37,963. With a cost-of-living index of 109.30 (above the national average), these earnings may be offset by higher expenses in Catonsville.
Hourly Rate Calculator
Schedule Comparison in Catonsville
| Schedule | Weekly | Monthly | Annual |
|---|---|---|---|
| Full-Time (40 hrs) | $1,265.42 | $5,483 | $65,802 |
| Part-Time (24 hrs) | $759.25 | $3,290 | $39,481 |
| Per Diem (16 hrs) | $506.17 | $2,193 | $26,321 |
Compare SC, LSC Wages With Similar Roles
| Role | Median Hourly |
|---|---|
| School Counselor (Catonsville) | $31.64 |
| 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 Catonsville, MD earn a median of $65,794 per year (2026 est.), which is 2.27% higher than the national median of $64,335 and 4.50% below the Maryland state average of $68,894.
School Counselor Hourly Pay vs. Cost of Living
Working 24h/week at $31.64/hr = $39,481/year (purchasing power: $36,122).
Working 40h/week (full-time) = $65,802/year (purchasing power: $60,203).
CoL index: 109.3 (100 = national average).
2019 BLS Actual
$27.49/hr
2025 BLS Actual
$31.00/hr
2026 Current Est.
$31.64/hr
2019–2027 Growth
+17.5%
Hourly Rate Trajectory for School Counselors in Catonsville (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 2.05% projection.
| Year | Hourly Rate | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $27.49/hr | Actual |
| 2020 | $28.01/hr | Actual |
| 2021 | $29.16/hr | Actual |
| 2022 | $28.98/hr | Actual |
| 2023 | $29.74/hr | Actual |
| 2024 | $39.13/hr | Actual |
| 2025 | $31.00/hr | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $31.64/hr | Estimated |
| 2027 | $32.28/hr | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, the median hourly rate for school counselors in Catonsville grew 12.8% from $27.49/hr (2019) to $31.00/hr (2025). At a 2.05% projected growth rate, hourly pay is expected to reach $32.28/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 Catonsville 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 Catonsville
Exploring the earning potential for part-time counselors reveals that a school counselor working 24 hours a week would earn considerably less annually compared to their full-time counterparts. Per-diem positions and agency work vary greatly; for instance, private college counselors can charge between $150 and $400 per hour for direct-pay consulting services, a lucrative option compared to school district roles. Employment across various environments in Catonsville—such as public school districts, private institutions, and post-secondary education—can lead to different hourly compensations. While some counselors may opt for lower hourly rates in exchange for benefits like health insurance, others might prefer higher pay without such perks. Understanding these dynamics helps candidates negotiate better, especially in a rising job market bolstered by increased mental health funding post-COVID, and aligns with the American School Counselor Association's recommended counselor-to-student ratio of 1:250.
More salary data for Catonsville, 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 Catonsville. 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 Catonsville 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