School Counselor Hourly Pay in Oxford, MS: $24.79 (2026)
Quick Answer:Hourly pay for a school counselor working in Oxford, MS runs $24.79 at the median for 2026 — annualizing to $51,550 at a standard 2,080-hour year. Figures projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 21-1012). Weighted against Oxford's regional price level (BEA RPP 85.7, 14% below national), each hour of work buys what $28.92 nationally would. A 24-hour part-time schedule grosses $30,935 per year.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
In Oxford, Mississippi, school counselor hourly pay is projected to be $24.79 in 2026, a figure that is significantly lower than the national hourly median of $30.93. For part-time counselors working three days a week, this can translate to a practical earning scenario, considering many of them operate within various educational settings, such as guiding elementary students through classroom lessons, holding small group sessions in middle schools, or providing individualized support in high school counseling offices. The hourly wage range sees entry-level counselors starting at around $18.30, while experienced professionals can earn up to $38.41 per hour. These figures are derived from estimates based on annual salary data, reflecting local economic conditions and the unique pay structure that often aligns school counselors' compensation with that of teachers.
About the Oxford 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) | $18.30 | $146.38 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $20.20 | $161.57 |
| Median (P50) | $24.79 | $198.30 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $31.73 | $253.82 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $38.41 | $307.29 |
Estimated Annual Income by Work Schedule in Oxford
Based on $24.79/hr median hourly rate · 2026 est.
At $24.79/hr, a school counselor working full-time (40 hr/wk) in Oxford, MS can expect to earn approximately $51,559 per year (2026 est.). Part-time hygienists working 24 hours per week would earn around $29,746. With a cost-of-living index of 85.70 (below the national average), these earnings stretch further in Oxford.
Hourly Rate Calculator
Schedule Comparison in Oxford
| Schedule | Weekly | Monthly | Annual |
|---|---|---|---|
| Full-Time (40 hrs) | $991.52 | $4,297 | $51,559 |
| Part-Time (24 hrs) | $594.91 | $2,578 | $30,935 |
| Per Diem (16 hrs) | $396.61 | $1,719 | $20,624 |
Compare SC, LSC Wages With Similar Roles
| Role | Median Hourly |
|---|---|
| School Counselor (Oxford) | $24.79 |
| 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 Oxford, MS earn a median of $51,550 per year (2026 est.), which is 19.87% lower than the national median of $64,335 and 4.60% below the Mississippi state average of $54,035.
School Counselor Hourly Pay vs. Cost of Living
Working 24h/week at $24.79/hr = $30,935/year (purchasing power: $36,097).
Working 40h/week (full-time) = $51,559/year (purchasing power: $60,162).
CoL index: 85.7 (100 = national average). Your dollars stretch further here.
2019 BLS Actual
$21.54/hr
2025 BLS Actual
$24.29/hr
2026 Current Est.
$24.79/hr
2019–2027 Growth
+17.5%
Hourly Rate Trajectory for School Counselors in Oxford (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 2.05% projection.
| Year | Hourly Rate | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $21.54/hr | Actual |
| 2020 | $21.95/hr | Actual |
| 2021 | $22.85/hr | Actual |
| 2022 | $22.71/hr | Actual |
| 2023 | $23.30/hr | Actual |
| 2024 | $20.44/hr | Actual |
| 2025 | $24.29/hr | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $24.79/hr | Estimated |
| 2027 | $25.30/hr | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, the median hourly rate for school counselors in Oxford grew 12.8% from $21.54/hr (2019) to $24.29/hr (2025). At a 2.05% projected growth rate, hourly pay is expected to reach $25.30/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 Oxford 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 Oxford
For those considering part-time positions or per-diem work, it's essential to analyze the financial implications of these roles in Oxford. A counselor working 24 hours a week would take home approximately $30,086 annually, substantially less than a full-time counterpart. Per-diem school counselor pay in Oxford may vary significantly, especially compared to private college counseling positions, where rates can reach $150-$400 per hour in higher-cost markets. School counselor roles spanning K-12 and post-secondary contexts present varied hourly rates, largely shaped by the type of institution—public, charter, private, or DoDEA schools. Additionally, the benefits trade-off becomes crucial; many counselors choose lower hourly pay tied to health insurance over more lucrative no-benefit roles. As such, practical negotiation for hourly workers often involves highlighting not just pay but also comprehensive benefits, aligning with district needs and counselor-to-student ratios, which currently do not meet the ASCA recommended levels.
More salary data for Oxford, 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 Oxford. 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 Oxford 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