School Counselor Hourly Pay in Camden, NJ: $31.06 (2026)
Quick Answer:Hourly pay for a school counselor working in Camden, NJ runs $31.06 at the median for 2026 — annualizing to $64,615 at a standard 2,080-hour year. Figures projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 21-1012). Weighted against Camden's regional price level (BEA RPP 115.2, 15% above national), each hour of work buys what $26.97 nationally would. A 24-hour part-time schedule grosses $38,768 per year.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source

In Camden, NJ, the school counselor hourly pay stands at $31.06, slightly above the national median of $30.93. This competitive hourly rate offers valuable opportunities for both part-time and per-diem workers, particularly in diverse educational settings such as elementary schools, middle school counseling groups, and high school guidance offices. With an hourly range from $21.91 for entry-level positions to $48.15 for top earners, school counselors in Camden can find flexible employment arrangements that suit their lifestyle. This is especially relevant as many choose to work on a part-time basis, allowing them to balance professional commitments with personal pursuits while contributing to the essential mental health support systems in schools.
About the Camden 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) | $21.91 | $175.28 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $24.66 | $197.24 |
| Median (P50) | $31.06 | $248.51 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $39.76 | $318.07 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $48.15 | $385.18 |
Estimated Annual Income by Work Schedule in Camden
Based on $31.06/hr median hourly rate · 2026 est.
At $31.06/hr, a school counselor working full-time (40 hr/wk) in Camden, NJ can expect to earn approximately $64,613 per year (2026 est.). Part-time hygienists working 24 hours per week would earn around $37,277. With a cost-of-living index of 115.20 (above the national average), these earnings may be offset by higher expenses in Camden.
Hourly Rate Calculator
Schedule Comparison in Camden
| Schedule | Weekly | Monthly | Annual |
|---|---|---|---|
| Full-Time (40 hrs) | $1,242.56 | $5,384 | $64,613 |
| Part-Time (24 hrs) | $745.54 | $3,231 | $38,768 |
| Per Diem (16 hrs) | $497.02 | $2,154 | $25,845 |
Compare SC, LSC Wages With Similar Roles
| Role | Median Hourly |
|---|---|
| School Counselor (Camden) | $31.06 |
| 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 Camden, NJ earn a median of $64,615 per year (2026 est.), which is 0.44% higher than the national median of $64,335 and 11.00% below the New Jersey state average of $72,601.
School Counselor Hourly Pay vs. Cost of Living
Working 24h/week at $31.06/hr = $38,768/year (purchasing power: $33,653).
Working 40h/week (full-time) = $64,613/year (purchasing power: $56,088).
CoL index: 115.2 (100 = national average).
2019 BLS Actual
$26.99/hr
2025 BLS Actual
$30.44/hr
2026 Current Est.
$31.06/hr
2019–2027 Growth
+17.5%
Hourly Rate Trajectory for School Counselors in Camden (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 2.05% projection.
| Year | Hourly Rate | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $26.99/hr | Actual |
| 2020 | $27.50/hr | Actual |
| 2021 | $28.63/hr | Actual |
| 2022 | $28.46/hr | Actual |
| 2023 | $29.20/hr | Actual |
| 2024 | $43.89/hr | Actual |
| 2025 | $30.44/hr | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $31.06/hr | Estimated |
| 2027 | $31.70/hr | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, the median hourly rate for school counselors in Camden grew 12.8% from $26.99/hr (2019) to $30.44/hr (2025). At a 2.05% projected growth rate, hourly pay is expected to reach $31.70/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 Camden 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 Camden
When considering the potential earnings for part-time school counselors working three days a week, they'll find themselves taking home a significantly lower income than their full-time counterparts, as many only accumulate about 24 hours weekly. For those interested in per diem opportunities, it’s crucial to understand the stark contrast in compensation; while substitute coverage is rare, private college counselors can charge between $150 and $400 per hour for services in high-cost living markets. The employment environment varies between K-12 public schools, charter institutions, private schools, and higher education settings, leading to differences in hourly pay structures. While some school counselors in Camden accept lower hourly rates to receive benefits like health insurance, others may prefer higher pay without those perks. Negotiation strategies for hourly roles often involve emphasizing experience and specialized skills, especially in light of the expanding mental health initiatives following the post-COVID funding surge.
More salary data for Camden, NJ:
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 Camden. 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 Camden 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