School Counselor Hourly Pay in Greenbelt, MD: $31.37 (2026)
Quick Answer:Hourly pay for a school counselor working in Greenbelt, MD runs $31.37 at the median for 2026 — annualizing to $65,247 at a standard 2,080-hour year. Figures projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 21-1012). Weighted against Greenbelt's regional price level (BEA RPP 109.3, 9% above national), each hour of work buys what $28.70 nationally would. A 24-hour part-time schedule grosses $39,150 per year.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source

In Greenbelt, Maryland, school counselors earn a median hourly rate of $31.37, slightly above the national median of $30.93. This competitive rate offers potential for part-time workers, such as those serving in elementary schools with classroom guidance lessons or providing high school individual counseling sessions. For professionals working three days a week, this hourly wage translates into valuable earnings, making it a viable option for those balancing multiple roles in education or mental health settings. With an hourly range from $22.53 at the entry-level to $48.62 for seasoned counselors, there are opportunities for growth and advancement within various school environments as well. These rates are derived from annual salary estimates, providing important context for potential and current school counselors in understanding their earning opportunities.
About the Greenbelt 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) | $22.53 | $180.26 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $24.94 | $199.53 |
| Median (P50) | $31.37 | $250.96 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $40.06 | $320.52 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $48.62 | $388.93 |
Estimated Annual Income by Work Schedule in Greenbelt
Based on $31.37/hr median hourly rate · 2026 est.
At $31.37/hr, a school counselor working full-time (40 hr/wk) in Greenbelt, MD can expect to earn approximately $65,250 per year (2026 est.). Part-time hygienists working 24 hours per week would earn around $37,644. With a cost-of-living index of 109.30 (above the national average), these earnings may be offset by higher expenses in Greenbelt.
Hourly Rate Calculator
Schedule Comparison in Greenbelt
| Schedule | Weekly | Monthly | Annual |
|---|---|---|---|
| Full-Time (40 hrs) | $1,254.81 | $5,437 | $65,250 |
| Part-Time (24 hrs) | $752.88 | $3,262 | $39,150 |
| Per Diem (16 hrs) | $501.92 | $2,175 | $26,100 |
Compare SC, LSC Wages With Similar Roles
| Role | Median Hourly |
|---|---|
| School Counselor (Greenbelt) | $31.37 |
| 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 Greenbelt, MD earn a median of $65,247 per year (2026 est.), which is 1.42% higher than the national median of $64,335 and 5.30% below the Maryland state average of $68,898.
School Counselor Hourly Pay vs. Cost of Living
Working 24h/week at $31.37/hr = $39,150/year (purchasing power: $35,819).
Working 40h/week (full-time) = $65,250/year (purchasing power: $59,698).
CoL index: 109.3 (100 = national average).
2019 BLS Actual
$27.26/hr
2025 BLS Actual
$30.74/hr
2026 Current Est.
$31.37/hr
2019–2027 Growth
+17.5%
Hourly Rate Trajectory for School Counselors in Greenbelt (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 2.05% projection.
| Year | Hourly Rate | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $27.26/hr | Actual |
| 2020 | $27.77/hr | Actual |
| 2021 | $28.91/hr | Actual |
| 2022 | $28.74/hr | Actual |
| 2023 | $29.49/hr | Actual |
| 2024 | $38.81/hr | Actual |
| 2025 | $30.74/hr | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $31.37/hr | Estimated |
| 2027 | $32.01/hr | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, the median hourly rate for school counselors in Greenbelt grew 12.8% from $27.26/hr (2019) to $30.74/hr (2025). At a 2.05% projected growth rate, hourly pay is expected to reach $32.01/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 Greenbelt 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 Greenbelt
For those considering part-time opportunities, a school counselor working 24 hours a week may take home a significantly different annual income compared to their full-time colleagues. While full-time school counselors benefit from structure and more predictable income, per diem school counselor pay in Greenbelt can be markedly higher, especially in roles that focus on college admissions consulting, often ranging from $150 to $400 per hour in high-cost-of-living (HCOL) markets. This flexibility can lead to additional income in the summer months, where extended school years and summer counseling initiatives can boost earnings by $5,000 to $15,000. Hourly rates vary notably between sectors, with K-12 public schools following a traditional step-and-lane structure similar to teachers, while private and parochial institutions may offer different compensation models. Counselors weighing options might find that accepting a position with benefits might lead to a lower hourly rate but increased job security and health insurance coverage, presenting a common dilemma in the profession. Negotiating compensation effectively is essential for those working hourly in Greenbelt; emphasizing relevant experience, certifications, and particular expertise in areas such as crisis response can enhance one’s bargaining position.
More salary data for Greenbelt, 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 Greenbelt. 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 Greenbelt 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