School Counselor Hourly Pay in Berkeley, NJ: $34.21 (2026)
Quick Answer:Hourly pay for a school counselor working in Berkeley, NJ runs $34.21 at the median for 2026 — annualizing to $71,154 at a standard 2,080-hour year. Figures projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 21-1012). Weighted against Berkeley's regional price level (BEA RPP 115.2, 15% above national), each hour of work buys what $29.69 nationally would. A 24-hour part-time schedule grosses $42,691 per year.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
In the realm of school counselor hourly pay in Berkeley, NJ, the projected median rate stands at $34.21, significantly above the national median of $30.93. For part-time professionals working three days a week, this hourly income allows them to engage in various roles, such as providing guidance in elementary classrooms, facilitating small group counseling in middle schools, and offering individual sessions at high schools. Per-diem workers in Berkeley can also find opportunities in college counseling resource rooms and responding to crises, which call for flexible schedules and specific expertise. The hourly pay range for school counselors in this area spans from $23.82 for entry-level positions to as high as $53.03 for top earners, reflecting both experience and the responsibilities that come with different educational settings.
About the Berkeley Market
Salary estimated from New Jersey average ($82,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
School Counselor Hourly Wage Breakdown
| Percentile | Hourly Rate | Per 8hr Shift |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $23.82 | $190.55 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $26.89 | $215.12 |
| Median (P50) | $34.21 | $273.66 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $42.47 | $339.79 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $53.03 | $424.20 |
Estimated Annual Income by Work Schedule in Berkeley
Based on $34.21/hr median hourly rate · 2026 est.
At $34.21/hr, a school counselor working full-time (40 hr/wk) in Berkeley, NJ can expect to earn approximately $71,151 per year (2026 est.). Part-time hygienists working 24 hours per week would earn around $41,049. With a cost-of-living index of 115.20 (above the national average), these earnings may be offset by higher expenses in Berkeley.
Hourly Rate Calculator
Schedule Comparison in Berkeley
| Schedule | Weekly | Monthly | Annual |
|---|---|---|---|
| Full-Time (40 hrs) | $1,368.29 | $5,929 | $71,151 |
| Part-Time (24 hrs) | $820.97 | $3,558 | $42,691 |
| Per Diem (16 hrs) | $547.31 | $2,372 | $28,460 |
Compare SC, LSC Wages With Similar Roles
| Role | Median Hourly |
|---|---|
| School Counselor (Berkeley) | $34.21 |
| 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 Berkeley, NJ earn a median of $71,154 per year (2026 est.), which is 10.60% higher than the national median of $64,335 and 2.00% below the New Jersey state average of $72,606.
School Counselor Hourly Pay vs. Cost of Living
Working 24h/week at $34.21/hr = $42,691/year (purchasing power: $37,058).
Working 40h/week (full-time) = $71,151/year (purchasing power: $61,763).
CoL index: 115.2 (100 = national average).
2019 BLS Actual
$29.72/hr
2025 BLS Actual
$33.52/hr
2026 Current Est.
$34.21/hr
2019–2027 Growth
+17.5%
Hourly Rate Trajectory for School Counselors in Berkeley (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 2.05% projection.
| Year | Hourly Rate | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $29.72/hr | Actual |
| 2020 | $30.28/hr | Actual |
| 2021 | $31.53/hr | Actual |
| 2022 | $31.34/hr | Actual |
| 2023 | $32.15/hr | Actual |
| 2024 | $44.49/hr | Actual |
| 2025 | $33.52/hr | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $34.21/hr | Estimated |
| 2027 | $34.91/hr | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, the median hourly rate for school counselors in Berkeley grew 12.8% from $29.72/hr (2019) to $33.52/hr (2025). At a 2.05% projected growth rate, hourly pay is expected to reach $34.91/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 Berkeley 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 Berkeley
When evaluating the part-time earning potential, a school counselor committed to a 24-hour workweek can anticipate a take-home income lower than those employed full-time, yet still meaningful given the nature of the work. While substitute coverage rarely occurs in K-12, per diem school counselor pay in Berkeley can reach rates of $150 to $400 per hour for private college counselors specializing in admissions consulting. Additionally, when school counselors are able to work during the summer months or extended school year programs, they could see their earnings increase significantly, often by $5,000 to $15,000. Different employment types also impact hourly rates; public school districts pay in line with traditional K-12 step-and-lane structures, while private institutions might offer more competitive rates without benefits. For many counselors, choosing to work for a lower hourly rate amid the security of health insurance is a common trade-off. Negotiating well in Berkeley can involve showcasing specific qualifications and emphasizing the demand for counselors driven by the recent focus on mental health awareness in schools.
More salary data for Berkeley, NJ:
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the hourly rate for school counselors in Berkeley in 2026?
How much do part-time school counselors make in Berkeley?
Are school counselors in Berkeley paid hourly or salary?
How much does a full-time school counselor make per year in Berkeley?
Do school counselors earn more per hour working part-time in Berkeley?
Related Pages
Compare Salaries
Career Resources
Nearby Cities in New Jersey
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 Berkeley. 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 Berkeley 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