School Counselor Hourly Pay in Montclair, NJ: $34.57 (2026)
Quick Answer:Hourly pay for a school counselor working in Montclair, NJ runs $34.57 at the median for 2026 — annualizing to $71,916 at a standard 2,080-hour year. Figures projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 21-1012). Weighted against Montclair's regional price level (BEA RPP 115.2, 15% above national), each hour of work buys what $30.01 nationally would. A 24-hour part-time schedule grosses $43,149 per year.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
In 2026, school counselors in Montclair, NJ, are expected to earn a median hourly pay of $34.57, significantly higher than the national average of $30.93. This favorable comparison represents the potential income for both part-time professionals and per-diem workers. For instance, counselors working part-time, say for three days a week, can anticipate meaningful earnings while fulfilling their roles in elementary classrooms, middle school group sessions, or high school counseling offices. The hourly pay range for this workplace can vary from as low as $24.69 for entry-level positions to as much as $53.56 for more experienced counselors. Keep in mind that these figures are estimates derived from annual salary data, emphasizing the role of school counselors in providing critical support, especially in an environment striving to enhance mental health resources for students.
About the Montclair 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) | $24.69 | $197.49 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $28.97 | $231.78 |
| Median (P50) | $34.57 | $276.60 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $43.37 | $346.97 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $53.56 | $428.45 |
Estimated Annual Income by Work Schedule in Montclair
Based on $34.57/hr median hourly rate · 2026 est.
At $34.57/hr, a school counselor working full-time (40 hr/wk) in Montclair, NJ can expect to earn approximately $71,915 per year (2026 est.). Part-time hygienists working 24 hours per week would earn around $41,489. With a cost-of-living index of 115.20 (above the national average), these earnings may be offset by higher expenses in Montclair.
Hourly Rate Calculator
Schedule Comparison in Montclair
| Schedule | Weekly | Monthly | Annual |
|---|---|---|---|
| Full-Time (40 hrs) | $1,382.98 | $5,993 | $71,915 |
| Part-Time (24 hrs) | $829.79 | $3,596 | $43,149 |
| Per Diem (16 hrs) | $553.19 | $2,397 | $28,766 |
Compare SC, LSC Wages With Similar Roles
| Role | Median Hourly |
|---|---|
| School Counselor (Montclair) | $34.57 |
| 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 Montclair, NJ earn a median of $71,916 per year (2026 est.), which is 11.78% higher than the national median of $64,335 and 1.00% below the New Jersey state average of $72,642.
School Counselor Hourly Pay vs. Cost of Living
Working 24h/week at $34.57/hr = $43,149/year (purchasing power: $37,456).
Working 40h/week (full-time) = $71,915/year (purchasing power: $62,426).
CoL index: 115.2 (100 = national average).
2019 BLS Actual
$30.04/hr
2025 BLS Actual
$33.88/hr
2026 Current Est.
$34.57/hr
2019–2027 Growth
+17.5%
Hourly Rate Trajectory for School Counselors in Montclair (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 2.05% projection.
| Year | Hourly Rate | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $30.04/hr | Actual |
| 2020 | $30.61/hr | Actual |
| 2021 | $31.87/hr | Actual |
| 2022 | $31.67/hr | Actual |
| 2023 | $32.50/hr | Actual |
| 2024 | $44.97/hr | Actual |
| 2025 | $33.88/hr | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $34.57/hr | Estimated |
| 2027 | $35.28/hr | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, the median hourly rate for school counselors in Montclair grew 12.8% from $30.04/hr (2019) to $33.88/hr (2025). At a 2.05% projected growth rate, hourly pay is expected to reach $35.28/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 Montclair 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 Montclair
Exploring the financial landscape for school counselors reveals distinct earning possibilities, particularly for those considering part-time roles or per-diem positions. A school counselor working three days a week would generate a substantial annual income, but this would still fall short compared to full-time counterparts, who typically enjoy additional benefits. For per-diem counselors, the pay can be considerably more lucrative; those providing specialized services, such as college admissions consulting, may charge between $150 and $400 per hour, particularly in high-cost-of-living markets. In Montclair, the variations in hourly rates can also depend on the type of institution—public schools, charter schools, and private entities tend to have differing compensation structures. Counselors might opt for lower hourly rates that offer comprehensive health benefits rather than higher hourly pay without benefits, reflecting an important trade-off in career decisions. For those seeking to maximize their pay in Montclair, effective negotiation strategies focused on understanding the compensation frameworks in K-12 education can yield better results.
More salary data for Montclair, 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 Montclair. 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 Montclair 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