School Counselor Hourly Pay in Salisbury, MD: $29.26 (2026)
Quick Answer:Hourly pay for a school counselor working in Salisbury, MD runs $29.26 at the median for 2026 — annualizing to $60,866 at a standard 2,080-hour year. Figures projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 21-1012). Weighted against Salisbury's regional price level (BEA RPP 95.6, 4% below national), each hour of work buys what $30.60 nationally would. A 24-hour part-time schedule grosses $36,514 per year.
Official BLS data · View source
In Salisbury, Maryland, school counselors earn a median hourly rate of $29.26, which is slightly below the national hourly median of $30.93. This pay level reflects the demand for support in various educational settings, from elementary classroom guidance lessons to high school individual counseling offices. Those working part-time, for example three days a week, can expect earnings that align with this hourly rate, which is attractive for professionals seeking flexibility. The hourly pay range for counselors in Salisbury also varies considerably, with entry-level positions starting at $22.58 per hour, while experienced professionals can command up to $48.99 per hour, showcasing the significant differences in experience and specialization across the field. This data comes from projections based on 2025 BLS OEWS data, projected to 2026.
School Counselor Hourly Wage Breakdown
| Percentile | Hourly Rate | Per 8hr Shift |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $22.58 | $180.67 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $26.71 | $213.65 |
| Median (P50) | $29.26 | $234.06 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $40.33 | $322.64 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $48.99 | $391.95 |
Estimated Annual Income by Work Schedule in Salisbury
Based on $29.26/hr median hourly rate · 2026 est.
At $29.26/hr, a school counselor working full-time (40 hr/wk) in Salisbury, MD can expect to earn approximately $60,856 per year (2026 est.). Part-time hygienists working 24 hours per week would earn around $35,109. With a cost-of-living index of 95.62 (below the national average), these earnings stretch further in Salisbury.
Hourly Rate Calculator
Schedule Comparison in Salisbury
| Schedule | Weekly | Monthly | Annual |
|---|---|---|---|
| Full-Time (40 hrs) | $1,170.31 | $5,071 | $60,856 |
| Part-Time (24 hrs) | $702.19 | $3,043 | $36,514 |
| Per Diem (16 hrs) | $468.12 | $2,029 | $24,342 |
Compare SC, LSC Wages With Similar Roles
| Role | Median Hourly |
|---|---|
| School Counselor (Salisbury) | $29.26 |
| 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 Salisbury, MD earn a median of $60,866 per year (2026 est.), which is 5.39% lower than the national median of $64,335 and 11.70% below the Maryland state average of $68,931.
School Counselor Hourly Pay vs. Cost of Living
Working 24h/week at $29.26/hr = $36,514/year (purchasing power: $38,187).
Working 40h/week (full-time) = $60,856/year (purchasing power: $63,646).
CoL index: 95.617 (100 = national average). Your dollars stretch further here.
2019 BLS Actual
$31.89/hr
2025 BLS Actual
$28.67/hr
2026 Current Est.
$29.26/hr
2019–2027 Growth
+-6.4%
Hourly Rate Trajectory for School Counselors in Salisbury (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 2.05% projection.
| Year | Hourly Rate | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $31.89/hr | Actual |
| 2020 | $33.95/hr | Actual |
| 2021 | $35.13/hr | Actual |
| 2022 | $36.64/hr | Actual |
| 2023 | $37.31/hr | Actual |
| 2024 | $31.44/hr | Actual |
| 2025 | $28.67/hr | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $29.26/hr | Estimated |
| 2027 | $29.86/hr | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, the median hourly rate for school counselors in Salisbury grew -10.1% from $31.89/hr (2019) to $28.67/hr (2025). At a 2.05% projected growth rate, hourly pay is expected to reach $29.86/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 Salisbury 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 Salisbury
Analyzing the potential earnings of school counselors in Salisbury reveals intriguing insights, especially for those considering part-time work. A school counselor working three days a week, which typically amounts to 24 hours, could expect to take home approximately $36,000 annually, significantly less than what full-time counterparts might earn. Meanwhile, per diem school counselor pay in Salisbury can vary, especially as some private college counselors charge between $150 and $400 per hour, reflecting the high demand for specialized services in a variety of educational contexts. The pay scales across different employer types also vary; K-12 public school districts tend to have set structures, while charter schools or private institutions might offer different compensation packages. This can impact decisions for counselors balancing the trade-off between slightly lower hourly rates with benefits versus higher hourly rates without such support. For those negotiating their hourly rates, understanding local market rates and being aware of the financial benefits that come with benefits packages can make a significant impact on overall job satisfaction.
More salary data for Salisbury, 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 Salisbury. Part-time and full-time income estimates assume consistent weekly hours and do not account for overtime, benefits, or seasonal variation.
Data Sources & Methodology
Source: BLS, OEWS, 7-year dataset (–). Per-city data from annual BLS metropolitan area surveys.
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