School Counselor Hourly Pay in College Park, MD: $32.34 (2026)
Quick Answer:Hourly pay for a school counselor working in College Park, MD runs $32.34 at the median for 2026 — annualizing to $67,270 at a standard 2,080-hour year. Figures projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 21-1012). Weighted against College Park's regional price level (BEA RPP 109.3, 9% above national), each hour of work buys what $29.59 nationally would. A 24-hour part-time schedule grosses $40,360 per year.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
In College Park, MD, the school counselor hourly pay is projected to be $32.34 in 2026, surpassing the national median hourly rate of $30.93. This competitive wage is particularly relevant for part-time counselors working three days a week in various settings, such as elementary schools conducting guidance lessons, middle schools facilitating small group sessions, or high schools providing individual counseling. Counselors at different stages in their careers can expect hourly rates to range from $22.33 for entry-level positions to $50.13 for top earners in the profession. These figures represent estimates derived from annual salary data, as hourly rates are not always published directly, highlighting the potential for good earnings for counselors within K-12 public school districts and other educational settings in the area.
About the College Park 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) | $22.33 | $178.63 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $25.28 | $202.22 |
| Median (P50) | $32.34 | $258.72 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $41.40 | $331.21 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $50.13 | $401.02 |
Estimated Annual Income by Work Schedule in College Park
Based on $32.34/hr median hourly rate · 2026 est.
At $32.34/hr, a school counselor working full-time (40 hr/wk) in College Park, MD can expect to earn approximately $67,266 per year (2026 est.). Part-time hygienists working 24 hours per week would earn around $38,808. With a cost-of-living index of 109.30 (above the national average), these earnings may be offset by higher expenses in College Park.
Hourly Rate Calculator
Schedule Comparison in College Park
| Schedule | Weekly | Monthly | Annual |
|---|---|---|---|
| Full-Time (40 hrs) | $1,293.59 | $5,606 | $67,266 |
| Part-Time (24 hrs) | $776.15 | $3,363 | $40,360 |
| Per Diem (16 hrs) | $517.43 | $2,242 | $26,907 |
Compare SC, LSC Wages With Similar Roles
| Role | Median Hourly |
|---|---|
| School Counselor (College Park) | $32.34 |
| 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 College Park, MD earn a median of $67,270 per year (2026 est.), which is 4.56% higher than the national median of $64,335 and 2.40% below the Maryland state average of $68,925.
School Counselor Hourly Pay vs. Cost of Living
Working 24h/week at $32.34/hr = $40,360/year (purchasing power: $36,926).
Working 40h/week (full-time) = $67,266/year (purchasing power: $61,543).
CoL index: 109.3 (100 = national average).
2019 BLS Actual
$28.10/hr
2025 BLS Actual
$31.69/hr
2026 Current Est.
$32.34/hr
2019–2027 Growth
+17.5%
Hourly Rate Trajectory for School Counselors in College Park (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 2.05% projection.
| Year | Hourly Rate | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $28.10/hr | Actual |
| 2020 | $28.63/hr | Actual |
| 2021 | $29.81/hr | Actual |
| 2022 | $29.63/hr | Actual |
| 2023 | $30.40/hr | Actual |
| 2024 | $40.01/hr | Actual |
| 2025 | $31.69/hr | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $32.34/hr | Estimated |
| 2027 | $33.00/hr | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, the median hourly rate for school counselors in College Park grew 12.8% from $28.10/hr (2019) to $31.69/hr (2025). At a 2.05% projected growth rate, hourly pay is expected to reach $33.00/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 College Park 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 College Park
Examining the earning potential for part-time school counselors reveals a nuanced financial landscape. A counselor working 24 hours per week would earn considerably less annually compared to a full-time peer, reflecting the inherent trade-offs of part-time positions. In addition, those seeking per-diem work within College Park may face a starkly different structure; for instance, private college counselors can command anywhere from $150 to $400 per hour for direct consultations in high-cost-of-living markets. Notably, summer counseling roles— which can add an additional $5,000 to $15,000 to a base salary—are increasingly becoming attractive options. Hourly pay structures vary significantly among employers: public schools, charter networks, and private institutions all offer differing compensation levels. Some counselors may accept lower hourly rates from K-12 schools to receive health benefits, while others might prefer higher rates without benefits. For those negotiating their hourly rate, leveraging local cost of living and being aware of salary standards across various educational institutions in College Park can greatly enhance their negotiation strategy.
More salary data for College Park, 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 College Park. 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 College Park 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