School Counselor Hourly Pay in Dover, NH: $31.45 (2026)
Quick Answer:Hourly pay for a school counselor working in Dover, NH runs $31.45 at the median for 2026 — annualizing to $65,414 at a standard 2,080-hour year. Figures projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 21-1012). Weighted against Dover's regional price level (BEA RPP 107.3, 7% above national), each hour of work buys what $29.31 nationally would. A 24-hour part-time schedule grosses $39,252 per year.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
In Dover, New Hampshire, the projected hourly pay for school counselors is estimated to be $31.45 in 2026, which is notably higher than the national average of $30.93 per hour. This hourly rate opens up various earning opportunities for counselors working part-time, especially those opting for a 3-day workweek. With typical environments spanning elementary schools and high school individual counseling offices to college counseling centers, a part-time counselor can expect to earn a steady income while focusing on student guidance. For those just entering the field or reaching the upper echelons of their profession, the hourly rates range from $23.94 to $48.29, reflecting varying levels of responsibility and experience. These figures are derived from annual salary estimates, providing a contextual framework for understanding pay structures in counseling roles within Dover's educational landscape.
About the Dover Market
Salary estimated from New Hampshire average ($68,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
School Counselor Hourly Wage Breakdown
| Percentile | Hourly Rate | Per 8hr Shift |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $23.94 | $191.53 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $26.14 | $209.08 |
| Median (P50) | $31.45 | $251.61 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $39.28 | $314.23 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $48.29 | $386.32 |
Estimated Annual Income by Work Schedule in Dover
Based on $31.45/hr median hourly rate · 2026 est.
At $31.45/hr, a school counselor working full-time (40 hr/wk) in Dover, NH can expect to earn approximately $65,420 per year (2026 est.). Part-time hygienists working 24 hours per week would earn around $37,742. With a cost-of-living index of 107.30 (above the national average), these earnings may be offset by higher expenses in Dover.
Hourly Rate Calculator
Schedule Comparison in Dover
| Schedule | Weekly | Monthly | Annual |
|---|---|---|---|
| Full-Time (40 hrs) | $1,258.07 | $5,452 | $65,420 |
| Part-Time (24 hrs) | $754.84 | $3,271 | $39,252 |
| Per Diem (16 hrs) | $503.23 | $2,181 | $26,168 |
Compare SC, LSC Wages With Similar Roles
| Role | Median Hourly |
|---|---|
| School Counselor (Dover) | $31.45 |
| 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 Dover, NH earn a median of $65,414 per year (2026 est.), which is 1.68% higher than the national median of $64,335 and 3.30% below the New Hampshire state average of $67,646.
School Counselor Hourly Pay vs. Cost of Living
Working 24h/week at $31.45/hr = $39,252/year (purchasing power: $36,581).
Working 40h/week (full-time) = $65,420/year (purchasing power: $60,969).
CoL index: 107.3 (100 = national average).
2019 BLS Actual
$29.14/hr
2025 BLS Actual
$30.82/hr
2026 Current Est.
$31.45/hr
2019–2027 Growth
+10.1%
Hourly Rate Trajectory for School Counselors in Dover (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 2.05% projection.
| Year | Hourly Rate | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $29.14/hr | Actual |
| 2020 | $28.00/hr | Actual |
| 2021 | $22.29/hr | Actual |
| 2022 | $28.40/hr | Actual |
| 2023 | $29.43/hr | Actual |
| 2024 | $33.92/hr | Actual |
| 2025 | $30.82/hr | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $31.45/hr | Estimated |
| 2027 | $32.10/hr | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, the median hourly rate for school counselors in Dover grew 5.8% from $29.14/hr (2019) to $30.82/hr (2025). At a 2.05% projected growth rate, hourly pay is expected to reach $32.10/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 Dover 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 Dover
For those contemplating part-time work as school counselors, taking on a 3-day schedule totaling 24 hours per week can yield a significant income, albeit less than what full-time positions offer. Per-diem opportunities are more lucrative, especially given the trends in private college admissions where rates can reach $150 to $400 per hour for consulting. In Dover, differences in pay also arise based on employment settings, with school counselors in K-12 public districts often bound to a step-and-lane system akin to teachers, which may offer lower hourly rates compared to those working in charter schools or private institutions. Although some may choose to accept lower hourly compensation for the benefits of full-time employment, particularly health insurance, others may favor higher, benefits-free pay in specialized roles. Practical negotiation strategies for hourly workers can refine their compensation packages, especially for those navigating the nuances of school counselor hourly pay in Dover while being aware of the impact of the national mental health funding expansions post-COVID on hiring trends.
More salary data for Dover, NH:
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 Dover. 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 Dover 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