School Counselor Hourly Pay in Franklin, NJ: $35.40 (2026)
Quick Answer:Hourly pay for a school counselor working in Franklin, NJ runs $35.40 at the median for 2026 — annualizing to $73,634 at a standard 2,080-hour year. Figures projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 21-1012). Weighted against Franklin's regional price level (BEA RPP 115.2, 15% above national), each hour of work buys what $30.73 nationally would. A 24-hour part-time schedule grosses $44,181 per year.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source

In Franklin, NJ, the projected median school counselor hourly pay for 2026 is $35.40. This figure exceeds the national median of $30.93, making the compensation for school counselors in this area competitive. For those considering part-time positions, like working three days a week, the implications of this hourly rate can be significant in the context of K-12 settings, including elementary guidance, middle school groups, and high school individual counseling. The hourly pay ranges from $24.85 for entry-level positions to $54.87 for the most experienced counselors, indicating a robust earning potential for those who excel in their roles. It's important to remember that these hourly earnings are derived from annual salary data, reflecting the investment communities make in their student wellness and guidance services.
About the Franklin 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) | $24.85 | $198.79 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $28.00 | $224.02 |
| Median (P50) | $35.40 | $283.21 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $45.28 | $362.24 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $54.87 | $438.98 |
Estimated Annual Income by Work Schedule in Franklin
Based on $35.40/hr median hourly rate · 2026 est.
At $35.40/hr, a school counselor working full-time (40 hr/wk) in Franklin, NJ can expect to earn approximately $73,634 per year (2026 est.). Part-time hygienists working 24 hours per week would earn around $42,481. With a cost-of-living index of 115.20 (above the national average), these earnings may be offset by higher expenses in Franklin.
Hourly Rate Calculator
Schedule Comparison in Franklin
| Schedule | Weekly | Monthly | Annual |
|---|---|---|---|
| Full-Time (40 hrs) | $1,416.05 | $6,136 | $73,634 |
| Part-Time (24 hrs) | $849.63 | $3,682 | $44,181 |
| Per Diem (16 hrs) | $566.42 | $2,454 | $29,454 |
Compare SC, LSC Wages With Similar Roles
| Role | Median Hourly |
|---|---|
| School Counselor (Franklin) | $35.40 |
| 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 Franklin, NJ earn a median of $73,634 per year (2026 est.), which is 14.45% higher than the national median of $64,335 and 1.40% above the New Jersey state average of $72,618.
School Counselor Hourly Pay vs. Cost of Living
Working 24h/week at $35.40/hr = $44,181/year (purchasing power: $38,351).
Working 40h/week (full-time) = $73,634/year (purchasing power: $63,919).
CoL index: 115.2 (100 = national average).
2019 BLS Actual
$30.76/hr
2025 BLS Actual
$34.69/hr
2026 Current Est.
$35.40/hr
2019–2027 Growth
+17.5%
Hourly Rate Trajectory for School Counselors in Franklin (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 2.05% projection.
| Year | Hourly Rate | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $30.76/hr | Actual |
| 2020 | $31.34/hr | Actual |
| 2021 | $32.63/hr | Actual |
| 2022 | $32.43/hr | Actual |
| 2023 | $33.28/hr | Actual |
| 2024 | $46.04/hr | Actual |
| 2025 | $34.69/hr | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $35.40/hr | Estimated |
| 2027 | $36.13/hr | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, the median hourly rate for school counselors in Franklin grew 12.8% from $30.76/hr (2019) to $34.69/hr (2025). At a 2.05% projected growth rate, hourly pay is expected to reach $36.13/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 Franklin 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 Franklin
Exploring the part-time earning prospects, a school counselor working 24 hours a week could take home approximately $43,126 annually, significantly lower than full-time counterparts. For those in per diem positions, however, rates for private college counselors can soar to between $150 and $400 per hour, especially in regions with a high cost of living. This stark difference highlights the viability of alternative roles, particularly in college admissions consulting where demand is strong. In Franklin, various types of employers, such as public K-12 schools, charter networks, and private institutions, typically offer varying hourly rates; while public districts often provide structured benefits, private schools may compensate with higher pay but no insurance. With the rising demand for counselors amid expansions in mental health funding, negotiating for an hourly rate can be strategic, particularly for those balancing benefits against higher freelance earnings.
More salary data for Franklin, 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 Franklin. 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 Franklin 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