School Counselor Hourly Pay in Ellicott City, MD: $33.27 (2026)
Quick Answer:Hourly pay for a school counselor working in Ellicott City, MD runs $33.27 at the median for 2026 — annualizing to $69,208 at a standard 2,080-hour year. Figures projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 21-1012). Weighted against Ellicott City's regional price level (BEA RPP 109.3, 9% above national), each hour of work buys what $30.44 nationally would. A 24-hour part-time schedule grosses $41,519 per year.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
In Ellicott City, Maryland, the projected school counselor hourly pay for 2026 is a competitive $33.27, which exceeds the national median hourly rate of $30.93 by approximately 7.57%. This hourly pay rate is particularly favorable for those in part-time positions or per-diem roles, such as those providing guidance in elementary school classrooms, facilitating small group counseling in middle schools, offering individual support in high school settings, or coordinating college counseling resource rooms. Entry-level positions may start around $22.85 per hour, while experienced counselors can earn up to $51.58 per hour, reflecting a wide range of opportunities based on experience and setting. It’s important to note that these hourly rates are derived from the projected annual salaries, offering a clear perspective on compensation within various counseling environments.
About the Ellicott City 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) | $22.85 | $182.79 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $25.94 | $207.53 |
| Median (P50) | $33.27 | $266.15 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $42.13 | $337.01 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $51.58 | $412.61 |
Estimated Annual Income by Work Schedule in Ellicott City
Based on $33.27/hr median hourly rate · 2026 est.
At $33.27/hr, a school counselor working full-time (40 hr/wk) in Ellicott City, MD can expect to earn approximately $69,198 per year (2026 est.). Part-time hygienists working 24 hours per week would earn around $39,922. With a cost-of-living index of 109.30 (above the national average), these earnings may be offset by higher expenses in Ellicott City.
Hourly Rate Calculator
Schedule Comparison in Ellicott City
| Schedule | Weekly | Monthly | Annual |
|---|---|---|---|
| Full-Time (40 hrs) | $1,330.73 | $5,767 | $69,198 |
| Part-Time (24 hrs) | $798.44 | $3,460 | $41,519 |
| Per Diem (16 hrs) | $532.29 | $2,307 | $27,679 |
Compare SC, LSC Wages With Similar Roles
| Role | Median Hourly |
|---|---|
| School Counselor (Ellicott City) | $33.27 |
| 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 Ellicott City, MD earn a median of $69,208 per year (2026 est.), which is 7.57% higher than the national median of $64,335 and 0.40% above the Maryland state average of $68,933.
School Counselor Hourly Pay vs. Cost of Living
Working 24h/week at $33.27/hr = $41,519/year (purchasing power: $37,986).
Working 40h/week (full-time) = $69,198/year (purchasing power: $63,310).
CoL index: 109.3 (100 = national average).
2019 BLS Actual
$28.91/hr
2025 BLS Actual
$32.60/hr
2026 Current Est.
$33.27/hr
2019–2027 Growth
+17.5%
Hourly Rate Trajectory for School Counselors in Ellicott City (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 2.05% projection.
| Year | Hourly Rate | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $28.91/hr | Actual |
| 2020 | $29.45/hr | Actual |
| 2021 | $30.66/hr | Actual |
| 2022 | $30.48/hr | Actual |
| 2023 | $31.27/hr | Actual |
| 2024 | $41.16/hr | Actual |
| 2025 | $32.60/hr | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $33.27/hr | Estimated |
| 2027 | $33.95/hr | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, the median hourly rate for school counselors in Ellicott City grew 12.8% from $28.91/hr (2019) to $32.60/hr (2025). At a 2.05% projected growth rate, hourly pay is expected to reach $33.95/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 Ellicott City 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 Ellicott City
Considering the realities of part-time and per-diem work, a school counselor in Ellicott City working three days a week could take home substantially less than their full-time counterparts. For example, working 24 hours a week at the hourly rate could yield approximately $45,000 annually, which is less than what a full-time counselor would earn. Furthermore, those exploring per-diem roles may find lucrative compensation opportunities; private college counselors can charge between $150 and $400 per hour for specialized consultations, significantly increasing their earning potential. Job prospects also vary significantly based on the employer; K-12 public schools typically offer lower hourly rates compared to private institutions or college counseling positions. While some counselors accept lower hourly wages for the benefits of health insurance and job security, others may prioritize higher hourly rates without those benefits. For those negotiating their compensation in the Ellicott City region, demonstrating certification, experience, and familiarity with the 1:250 counselor-to-student ratio recommended by ASCA can provide leverage in discussions on hourly pay.
More salary data for Ellicott City, MD:
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the hourly rate for school counselors in Ellicott City in 2026?
How much do part-time school counselors make in Ellicott City?
Are school counselors in Ellicott City paid hourly or salary?
How much does a full-time school counselor make per year in Ellicott City?
Do school counselors earn more per hour working part-time in Ellicott City?
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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 Ellicott City. 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 Ellicott City 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