School Counselor Hourly Pay in Manchester, NH: $31.26 (2026)
Quick Answer:Hourly pay for a school counselor working in Manchester, NH runs $31.26 at the median for 2026 — annualizing to $65,026 at a standard 2,080-hour year. Figures projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 21-1012). Weighted against Manchester's regional price level (BEA RPP 105.7, 6% above national), each hour of work buys what $29.58 nationally would. A 24-hour part-time schedule grosses $39,010 per year.
Official BLS data · View source
In Manchester, New Hampshire, the school counselor hourly pay is projected to be $31.26 in 2026, which is slightly above the national median hourly rate of $30.93. This competitive rate reflects the vital role counselors play in various educational settings, including elementary guidance lessons, middle school group counseling, and high school individual sessions. For part-time school counselors working three days a week, the hourly pay translates well into their overall income, especially when balancing time between different roles. The hourly rate ranges from $22.29 for entry-level positions to $42.25 for the most experienced professionals, allowing for diverse earning potential based on experience and specialization. These figures, derived from 2025 BLS OEWS data projected to 2026, illustrate how school counselors can find lucrative opportunities while contributing to student well-being.
School Counselor Hourly Wage Breakdown
| Percentile | Hourly Rate | Per 8hr Shift |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $22.29 | $178.30 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $27.85 | $222.80 |
| Median (P50) | $31.26 | $250.06 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $39.03 | $312.27 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $42.25 | $337.99 |
Estimated Annual Income by Work Schedule in Manchester
Based on $31.26/hr median hourly rate · 2026 est.
At $31.26/hr, a school counselor working full-time (40 hr/wk) in Manchester, NH can expect to earn approximately $65,016 per year (2026 est.). Part-time hygienists working 24 hours per week would earn around $37,509. With a cost-of-living index of 105.66 (above the national average), these earnings may be offset by higher expenses in Manchester.
Hourly Rate Calculator
Schedule Comparison in Manchester
| Schedule | Weekly | Monthly | Annual |
|---|---|---|---|
| Full-Time (40 hrs) | $1,250.32 | $5,418 | $65,016 |
| Part-Time (24 hrs) | $750.19 | $3,251 | $39,010 |
| Per Diem (16 hrs) | $500.13 | $2,167 | $26,007 |
Compare SC, LSC Wages With Similar Roles
| Role | Median Hourly |
|---|---|
| School Counselor (Manchester) | $31.26 |
| 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 Manchester, NH earn a median of $65,026 per year (2026 est.), which is 1.07% higher than the national median of $64,335 and 3.90% below the New Hampshire state average of $67,665.
School Counselor Hourly Pay vs. Cost of Living
Working 24h/week at $31.26/hr = $39,010/year (purchasing power: $36,921).
Working 40h/week (full-time) = $65,016/year (purchasing power: $61,535).
CoL index: 105.657 (100 = national average).
2019 BLS Actual
$27.16/hr
2025 BLS Actual
$30.63/hr
2026 Current Est.
$31.26/hr
2019–2027 Growth
+17.5%
Hourly Rate Trajectory for School Counselors in Manchester (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 2.05% projection.
| Year | Hourly Rate | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $27.16/hr | Actual |
| 2020 | $22.83/hr | Actual |
| 2021 | $28.81/hr | Actual |
| 2022 | $28.63/hr | Actual |
| 2023 | $29.38/hr | Actual |
| 2024 | $31.02/hr | Actual |
| 2025 | $30.63/hr | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $31.26/hr | Estimated |
| 2027 | $31.90/hr | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, the median hourly rate for school counselors in Manchester grew 12.8% from $27.16/hr (2019) to $30.63/hr (2025). At a 2.05% projected growth rate, hourly pay is expected to reach $31.90/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 Manchester 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 Manchester
Income dynamics shift significantly when examining part-time versus full-time roles in counseling. For a part-time school counselor scheduled for 24 hours a week, the annual take-home may be considerably lower than that of a full-time professional; such counselors may earn around $39,013 annually, a stark contrast to their full-time counterparts. The per diem school counselor pay in Manchester is particularly high in specialized settings like private colleges, where consultants can charge anywhere from $150 to $400 per hour for their services. Additionally, taking on summer counseling could raise earnings by an additional $5,000 to $15,000. Factors such as employer type create a variance in pay, with public school districts generally paying less than private institutions or charter schools. Counselors should also consider the trade-off between higher hourly wages without benefits versus lower hourly rates with health insurance coverage. Negotiating effectively in Manchester involves understanding the local market and leveraging one's educational background to secure favorable pay arrangements, especially amidst the evolving landscape of mental health funding post-COVID.
More salary data for Manchester, 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 Manchester. 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, 3-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