School Counselor Hourly Pay in Worcester, MA: $37.52 (2026)
Quick Answer:Hourly pay for a school counselor working in Worcester, MA runs $37.52 at the median for 2026 — annualizing to $78,047 at a standard 2,080-hour year. Figures projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 21-1012). Weighted against Worcester's regional price level (BEA RPP 102.5, 3% above national), each hour of work buys what $36.60 nationally would. A 24-hour part-time schedule grosses $46,830 per year.
Official BLS data · View source
In Worcester, Massachusetts, the school counselor hourly pay reflects a competitive rate of $37.52, significantly higher than the national median of $30.93 per hour. This strong hourly wage allows part-time counselors working three days a week or those seeking per-diem roles to earn decent incomes while providing crucial services in various educational settings. Whether they're facilitating elementary classroom guidance lessons, conducting middle school small group counseling, or addressing high school individual counseling needs, this hourly rate supports both entry-level professionals starting at $26.58 and experienced counselors reaching $51.71 per hour. The figures are drawn from 2025 BLS OEWS data projected to 2026, indicating healthy prospects for professionals in this field.
School Counselor Hourly Wage Breakdown
| Percentile | Hourly Rate | Per 8hr Shift |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $26.58 | $212.67 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $30.46 | $243.70 |
| Median (P50) | $37.52 | $300.19 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $46.48 | $371.87 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $51.71 | $413.67 |
Estimated Annual Income by Work Schedule in Worcester
Based on $37.52/hr median hourly rate · 2026 est.
At $37.52/hr, a school counselor working full-time (40 hr/wk) in Worcester, MA can expect to earn approximately $78,049 per year (2026 est.). Part-time hygienists working 24 hours per week would earn around $45,029. With a cost-of-living index of 102.52 (above the national average), these earnings may be offset by higher expenses in Worcester.
Hourly Rate Calculator
Schedule Comparison in Worcester
| Schedule | Weekly | Monthly | Annual |
|---|---|---|---|
| Full-Time (40 hrs) | $1,500.95 | $6,504 | $78,049 |
| Part-Time (24 hrs) | $900.57 | $3,902 | $46,830 |
| Per Diem (16 hrs) | $600.38 | $2,602 | $31,220 |
Compare SC, LSC Wages With Similar Roles
| Role | Median Hourly |
|---|---|
| School Counselor (Worcester) | $37.52 |
| 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 Worcester, MA earn a median of $78,047 per year (2026 est.), which is 21.31% higher than the national median of $64,335 and 0.50% below the Massachusetts state average of $78,439.
School Counselor Hourly Pay vs. Cost of Living
Working 24h/week at $37.52/hr = $46,830/year (purchasing power: $45,677).
Working 40h/week (full-time) = $78,049/year (purchasing power: $76,129).
CoL index: 102.523 (100 = national average).
2019 BLS Actual
$29.23/hr
2025 BLS Actual
$36.77/hr
2026 Current Est.
$37.52/hr
2019–2027 Growth
+31.0%
Hourly Rate Trajectory for School Counselors in Worcester (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 2.05% projection.
| Year | Hourly Rate | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $29.23/hr | Actual |
| 2020 | $29.86/hr | Actual |
| 2021 | $30.34/hr | Actual |
| 2022 | $34.59/hr | Actual |
| 2023 | $32.24/hr | Actual |
| 2024 | $37.21/hr | Actual |
| 2025 | $36.77/hr | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $37.52/hr | Estimated |
| 2027 | $38.29/hr | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, the median hourly rate for school counselors in Worcester grew 25.8% from $29.23/hr (2019) to $36.77/hr (2025). At a 2.05% projected growth rate, hourly pay is expected to reach $38.29/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 Worcester 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 Worcester
Insight into the earning potential reveals a stark difference between full-time and part-time employment as a school counselor. A 24-hour work week translates to approximately $46,566 annually, far less than the median for full-time positions, which typically offer comprehensive benefits. In contrast, per-diem roles and private college counselors command higher rates, sometimes ranging from $150 to $400 per hour in high-cost-of-living markets. Moreover, hourly rates can fluctuate based on employer type, with counselors in K-12 public schools generally earning less than their counterparts in charter, private, or specialized schools. The decision between choosing a lower hourly rate with benefits versus a higher wage without can affect long-term financial health. Counselors should strategically negotiate based on their value while considering local job market trends, especially in schools that have recently increased hiring in response to expanded mental health funding post-COVID. The evolving educational landscape in Worcester offers ample opportunities, requiring professionals to balance personal and financial considerations effectively.
More salary data for Worcester, 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 Worcester. 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