School Counselor Hourly Pay in Malden, MA: $37.84 (2026)
Quick Answer:Hourly pay for a school counselor working in Malden, MA runs $37.84 at the median for 2026 — annualizing to $78,712 at a standard 2,080-hour year. Figures projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 21-1012). Weighted against Malden's regional price level (BEA RPP 108.5, 9% above national), each hour of work buys what $34.88 nationally would. A 24-hour part-time schedule grosses $47,224 per year.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
In 2026, school counselors in Malden, Massachusetts, command a median hourly rate of $37.84, significantly surpassing the national median of $30.93. For part-time professionals working three days a week, this translates into a compelling wage for delivering guidance in various educational settings—be it in elementary classroom facilitation, middle school group counseling, or high school individual support. The hourly pay range varies, with entry-level positions starting at approximately $25.91 and experienced professionals earning up to $58.66 per hour. Such figures indicate the competitive nature of school counselor hourly pay in Malden, reflecting both the demand for their services and their crucial role in addressing students' needs. These estimates, derived from annual salary data, highlight the financial viability of the profession in local schools compared to the national trend.
About the Malden Market
Salary estimated from Massachusetts average ($80,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
School Counselor Hourly Wage Breakdown
| Percentile | Hourly Rate | Per 8hr Shift |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $25.91 | $207.28 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $29.45 | $235.61 |
| Median (P50) | $37.84 | $302.72 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $48.44 | $387.55 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $58.66 | $469.27 |
Estimated Annual Income by Work Schedule in Malden
Based on $37.84/hr median hourly rate · 2026 est.
At $37.84/hr, a school counselor working full-time (40 hr/wk) in Malden, MA can expect to earn approximately $78,707 per year (2026 est.). Part-time hygienists working 24 hours per week would earn around $45,408. With a cost-of-living index of 108.50 (above the national average), these earnings may be offset by higher expenses in Malden.
Hourly Rate Calculator
Schedule Comparison in Malden
| Schedule | Weekly | Monthly | Annual |
|---|---|---|---|
| Full-Time (40 hrs) | $1,513.61 | $6,559 | $78,707 |
| Part-Time (24 hrs) | $908.16 | $3,935 | $47,224 |
| Per Diem (16 hrs) | $605.44 | $2,624 | $31,483 |
Compare SC, LSC Wages With Similar Roles
| Role | Median Hourly |
|---|---|
| School Counselor (Malden) | $37.84 |
| 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 Malden, MA earn a median of $78,712 per year (2026 est.), which is 22.35% higher than the national median of $64,335 and 0.30% above the Massachusetts state average of $78,477.
School Counselor Hourly Pay vs. Cost of Living
Working 24h/week at $37.84/hr = $47,224/year (purchasing power: $43,525).
Working 40h/week (full-time) = $78,707/year (purchasing power: $72,541).
CoL index: 108.5 (100 = national average).
2019 BLS Actual
$32.88/hr
2025 BLS Actual
$37.08/hr
2026 Current Est.
$37.84/hr
2019–2027 Growth
+17.5%
Hourly Rate Trajectory for School Counselors in Malden (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 2.05% projection.
| Year | Hourly Rate | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $32.88/hr | Actual |
| 2020 | $33.50/hr | Actual |
| 2021 | $34.88/hr | Actual |
| 2022 | $34.66/hr | Actual |
| 2023 | $35.57/hr | Actual |
| 2024 | $41.86/hr | Actual |
| 2025 | $37.08/hr | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $37.84/hr | Estimated |
| 2027 | $38.62/hr | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, the median hourly rate for school counselors in Malden grew 12.8% from $32.88/hr (2019) to $37.08/hr (2025). At a 2.05% projected growth rate, hourly pay is expected to reach $38.62/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 Malden 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 Malden
Transitioning to the earnings potential for part-time and per diem school counselors in Malden reveals interesting dynamics. Working a typical 24-hour week allows part-time counselors to earn around $47,212 annually, a figure that can diminish against the full-time potential for colleagues at K-12 public institutions, where positions often follow a step-and-lane salary structure similar to teachers. Conversely, per diem opportunities—especially in higher-cost-of-living sectors—hold the potential for substantial compensation, sometimes reaching between $150 and $400 per hour for private college admissions consulting or specialized coverage. Although per-diem rates are enticing, many counselors may choose positions with lower hourly rates in exchange for benefits like health insurance. This choice often reflects a broader dilemma in the field, particularly in light of augmented funding for mental health resources post-COVID that has raised demand for school counseling professionals. Effective negotiation strategies can help counselors secure better compensation while weighing benefits and stability against flexible, higher-paying opportunities available in various educational contexts throughout Malden.
More salary data for Malden, MA:
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 Malden. 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 Malden 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