School Counselor Hourly Pay in Dundalk, MD: $32.00 (2026)
Quick Answer:Hourly pay for a school counselor working in Dundalk, MD runs $32.00 at the median for 2026 — annualizing to $66,561 at a standard 2,080-hour year. Figures projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 21-1012). Weighted against Dundalk's regional price level (BEA RPP 109.3, 9% above national), each hour of work buys what $29.28 nationally would. A 24-hour part-time schedule grosses $39,940 per year.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source

In Dundalk, Maryland, the projected school counselor hourly pay for 2026 is $32.00, exceeding the national median of $30.93. This robust hourly rate can provide a solid income for both part-time and per-diem workers, particularly in various settings such as elementary classroom guidance, middle school counseling groups, and crisis response team coordination. For those considering part-time work, a typical schedule of three days a week could yield an annual income that supports a balanced lifestyle in this costlier area, where the cost of living index stands at 109.3. The hourly pay range reflects the profession's dynamics, stretching from $22.54 for entry-level positions to $49.60 for top earners, indicating that experience and qualifications play a significant role in earnings potential. These estimates arise from annual salary data, which illustrate the varying demands for school counselors across Dundalk's educational landscape.
About the Dundalk 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) | $22.54 | $180.34 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $25.38 | $203.04 |
| Median (P50) | $32.00 | $256.02 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $40.96 | $327.70 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $49.60 | $396.77 |
Estimated Annual Income by Work Schedule in Dundalk
Based on $32.00/hr median hourly rate · 2026 est.
At $32.00/hr, a school counselor working full-time (40 hr/wk) in Dundalk, MD can expect to earn approximately $66,566 per year (2026 est.). Part-time hygienists working 24 hours per week would earn around $38,403. With a cost-of-living index of 109.30 (above the national average), these earnings may be offset by higher expenses in Dundalk.
Hourly Rate Calculator
Schedule Comparison in Dundalk
| Schedule | Weekly | Monthly | Annual |
|---|---|---|---|
| Full-Time (40 hrs) | $1,280.12 | $5,547 | $66,566 |
| Part-Time (24 hrs) | $768.07 | $3,328 | $39,940 |
| Per Diem (16 hrs) | $512.05 | $2,219 | $26,626 |
Compare SC, LSC Wages With Similar Roles
| Role | Median Hourly |
|---|---|
| School Counselor (Dundalk) | $32.00 |
| 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 Dundalk, MD earn a median of $66,561 per year (2026 est.), which is 3.46% higher than the national median of $64,335 and 3.40% below the Maryland state average of $68,904.
School Counselor Hourly Pay vs. Cost of Living
Working 24h/week at $32.00/hr = $39,940/year (purchasing power: $36,541).
Working 40h/week (full-time) = $66,566/year (purchasing power: $60,902).
CoL index: 109.3 (100 = national average).
2019 BLS Actual
$27.81/hr
2025 BLS Actual
$31.36/hr
2026 Current Est.
$32.00/hr
2019–2027 Growth
+17.5%
Hourly Rate Trajectory for School Counselors in Dundalk (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 2.05% projection.
| Year | Hourly Rate | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $27.81/hr | Actual |
| 2020 | $28.33/hr | Actual |
| 2021 | $29.50/hr | Actual |
| 2022 | $29.32/hr | Actual |
| 2023 | $30.08/hr | Actual |
| 2024 | $39.59/hr | Actual |
| 2025 | $31.36/hr | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $32.00/hr | Estimated |
| 2027 | $32.66/hr | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, the median hourly rate for school counselors in Dundalk grew 12.8% from $27.81/hr (2019) to $31.36/hr (2025). At a 2.05% projected growth rate, hourly pay is expected to reach $32.66/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 Dundalk 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 Dundalk
Part-time school counselors in Dundalk have the potential to bring home a noteworthy income while maintaining flexibility in their work-life balance. A counselor working 24 hours a week can earn significantly less than their full-time counterparts, but they can still achieve substantial annual income while managing other professional commitments. It's important to highlight that per diem school counselor pay in Dundalk reflects broader trends, as private college counselors in high-cost markets may charge between $150 to $400 per hour for direct admissions consulting. This underscores the wide disparity in hourly earnings based on employment settings. Factors like employer type—whether it’s K-12 public schools or charter and private institutions—can greatly influence hourly rates, with public school benefits often offsetting higher hourly pay in other venues. For many in this profession, negotiating a fair hourly wage becomes vital, especially when weighing compensation against health benefits often offered with traditional roles. Understanding the compensation landscape can empower counselors as they advocate for the pay reflecting their experience and the increased funding for mental health initiatives in the wake of the COVID-19 pandemic.
More salary data for Dundalk, 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 Dundalk. 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 Dundalk 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