School Counselor Hourly Pay in Reno, NV: $31.83 (2026)
Quick Answer:Hourly pay for a school counselor working in Reno, NV runs $31.83 at the median for 2026 — annualizing to $66,216 at a standard 2,080-hour year. Figures projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 21-1012). Weighted against Reno's regional price level (BEA RPP 101.0, 1% above national), each hour of work buys what $31.51 nationally would. A 24-hour part-time schedule grosses $39,723 per year.
Official BLS data · View source
In Reno, the compensation for school counselors is competitive, with a median hourly rate projected at $31.83 for 2026. This figure slightly exceeds the national median of $30.93, reflecting the region's demand for qualified professionals in educational settings. For part-time counselors working three days a week, this hourly rate can provide a reasonable income, particularly in elementary classroom guidance or as members of crisis response teams. The pay scale spans from $23.39 at the entry-level (10th percentile) to $45.45 for top earners (90th percentile), illustrating a diverse range of compensation depending on experience and specific job duties. This data, sourced from 2025 BLS OEWS data, projected to 2026, provides a clear picture of the hourly landscape for school counselor positions in Reno, NV.
School Counselor Hourly Wage Breakdown
| Percentile | Hourly Rate | Per 8hr Shift |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $23.39 | $187.12 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $26.26 | $210.06 |
| Median (P50) | $31.83 | $254.64 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $36.71 | $293.66 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $45.45 | $363.62 |
Estimated Annual Income by Work Schedule in Reno
Based on $31.83/hr median hourly rate · 2026 est.
At $31.83/hr, a school counselor working full-time (40 hr/wk) in Reno, NV can expect to earn approximately $66,205 per year (2026 est.). Part-time hygienists working 24 hours per week would earn around $38,195. With a cost-of-living index of 101.01 (above the national average), these earnings may be offset by higher expenses in Reno.
Hourly Rate Calculator
Schedule Comparison in Reno
| Schedule | Weekly | Monthly | Annual |
|---|---|---|---|
| Full-Time (40 hrs) | $1,273.18 | $5,517 | $66,205 |
| Part-Time (24 hrs) | $763.91 | $3,310 | $39,723 |
| Per Diem (16 hrs) | $509.27 | $2,207 | $26,482 |
Compare SC, LSC Wages With Similar Roles
| Role | Median Hourly |
|---|---|
| School Counselor (Reno) | $31.83 |
| 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 Reno, NV earn a median of $66,216 per year (2026 est.), which is 2.92% higher than the national median of $64,335 and 6.80% above the Nevada state average of $62,000.
School Counselor Hourly Pay vs. Cost of Living
Working 24h/week at $31.83/hr = $39,723/year (purchasing power: $39,324).
Working 40h/week (full-time) = $66,205/year (purchasing power: $65,541).
CoL index: 101.014 (100 = national average).
2019 BLS Actual
$25.35/hr
2025 BLS Actual
$31.19/hr
2026 Current Est.
$31.83/hr
2019–2027 Growth
+28.1%
Hourly Rate Trajectory for School Counselors in Reno (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 2.05% projection.
| Year | Hourly Rate | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $25.35/hr | Actual |
| 2020 | $27.27/hr | Actual |
| 2021 | $29.52/hr | Actual |
| 2022 | $23.14/hr | Actual |
| 2023 | $24.46/hr | Actual |
| 2024 | $25.91/hr | Actual |
| 2025 | $31.19/hr | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $31.83/hr | Estimated |
| 2027 | $32.48/hr | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, the median hourly rate for school counselors in Reno grew 23.0% from $25.35/hr (2019) to $31.19/hr (2025). At a 2.05% projected growth rate, hourly pay is expected to reach $32.48/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 Reno 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 Reno
For those considering part-time work as school counselors, earning potential can vary significantly. A three-day workweek totaling 24 hours translates to an annual income of roughly $39,018, considerably lower than full-time counterparts. Per diem school counselors in Reno often face unique market dynamics—while they typically earn higher rates in specialized settings, such as private colleges charging $150 to $400 per hour, they also encounter variability in job stability. Positions across different employer types, from K-12 public schools to private institutions and even military-affiliated education, bring distinct experiences and compensation structures. Some counselors opt for lower hourly rates with full benefits, particularly in public school atmospheres, sacrificing some pay for job security and health insurance. Those negotiating contracts in Reno might benefit from embracing the local hiring climate and advocating for compensation that reflects both their qualifications and the regional economic context.
More salary data for Reno, NV:
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 Reno. 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