School Counselor Hourly Pay in Olive Branch, MS: $24.57 (2026)
Quick Answer:Hourly pay for a school counselor working in Olive Branch, MS runs $24.57 at the median for 2026 — annualizing to $51,122 at a standard 2,080-hour year. Figures projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 21-1012). Weighted against Olive Branch's regional price level (BEA RPP 85.7, 14% below national), each hour of work buys what $28.67 nationally would. A 24-hour part-time schedule grosses $30,668 per year.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
In Olive Branch, Mississippi, school counselors earn a median hourly pay of $24.57, which is notably lower than the national hourly median of $30.93. This discrepancy may impact part-time professionals, such as those who work three days a week or serve as per diem counselors in settings like elementary classrooms, middle school small groups, and high school counseling offices. The hourly range in Olive Branch extends from $17.84 for entry-level positions to $38.10 for the most experienced counselors. Given that these figures are derived from annual salary estimates, they highlight the financial reality for those in this critical role within the education system.
About the Olive Branch Market
Salary estimated from Mississippi average ($52,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
School Counselor Hourly Wage Breakdown
| Percentile | Hourly Rate | Per 8hr Shift |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $17.84 | $142.71 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $19.79 | $158.30 |
| Median (P50) | $24.57 | $196.59 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $31.46 | $251.70 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $38.10 | $304.76 |
Estimated Annual Income by Work Schedule in Olive Branch
Based on $24.57/hr median hourly rate · 2026 est.
At $24.57/hr, a school counselor working full-time (40 hr/wk) in Olive Branch, MS can expect to earn approximately $51,113 per year (2026 est.). Part-time hygienists working 24 hours per week would earn around $29,488. With a cost-of-living index of 85.70 (below the national average), these earnings stretch further in Olive Branch.
Hourly Rate Calculator
Schedule Comparison in Olive Branch
| Schedule | Weekly | Monthly | Annual |
|---|---|---|---|
| Full-Time (40 hrs) | $982.95 | $4,259 | $51,113 |
| Part-Time (24 hrs) | $589.77 | $2,556 | $30,668 |
| Per Diem (16 hrs) | $393.18 | $1,704 | $20,445 |
Compare SC, LSC Wages With Similar Roles
| Role | Median Hourly |
|---|---|
| School Counselor (Olive Branch) | $24.57 |
| 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 Olive Branch, MS earn a median of $51,122 per year (2026 est.), which is 20.54% lower than the national median of $64,335 and 5.40% below the Mississippi state average of $54,040.
School Counselor Hourly Pay vs. Cost of Living
Working 24h/week at $24.57/hr = $30,668/year (purchasing power: $35,785).
Working 40h/week (full-time) = $51,113/year (purchasing power: $59,642).
CoL index: 85.7 (100 = national average). Your dollars stretch further here.
2019 BLS Actual
$21.35/hr
2025 BLS Actual
$24.08/hr
2026 Current Est.
$24.57/hr
2019–2027 Growth
+17.5%
Hourly Rate Trajectory for School Counselors in Olive Branch (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 2.05% projection.
| Year | Hourly Rate | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $21.35/hr | Actual |
| 2020 | $21.76/hr | Actual |
| 2021 | $22.65/hr | Actual |
| 2022 | $22.51/hr | Actual |
| 2023 | $23.10/hr | Actual |
| 2024 | $20.27/hr | Actual |
| 2025 | $24.08/hr | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $24.57/hr | Estimated |
| 2027 | $25.08/hr | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, the median hourly rate for school counselors in Olive Branch grew 12.8% from $21.35/hr (2019) to $24.08/hr (2025). At a 2.05% projected growth rate, hourly pay is expected to reach $25.08/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 Olive Branch 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 Olive Branch
Exploring part-time earning potential for a school counselor working 24 hours per week in Olive Branch reveals an annual take-home that is significantly lower than full-time counterparts. For instance, a part-time counselor's income would reflect the lower hourly rate, while extended summer counseling opportunities could potentially add an additional $5,000 to $15,000, depending on demand. The landscape of school counselor hourly pay in Olive Branch varies significantly among employer types, including K-12 public schools, charter institutions, and private schools, where benefits may play a large role in compensation decisions. In contrast, per diem school counselor pay in higher-cost-of-living (HCOL) markets sees rates as high as $400 per hour. Many counselors choose lower hourly rates for the security of health insurance benefits, illustrating the trade-off between pay and job security. For those negotiating their pay, it is crucial to highlight qualifications and experience, especially given the ongoing demand for counselors as federal funding continues to support expanded mental health services following the pandemic.
More salary data for Olive Branch, MS:
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 Olive Branch. 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 Olive Branch 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