School Counselor Hourly Pay in New Brunswick, NJ: $35.05 (2026)
Quick Answer:Hourly pay for a school counselor working in New Brunswick, NJ runs $35.05 at the median for 2026 — annualizing to $72,910 at a standard 2,080-hour year. Figures projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 21-1012). Weighted against New Brunswick's regional price level (BEA RPP 115.2, 15% above national), each hour of work buys what $30.43 nationally would. A 24-hour part-time schedule grosses $43,748 per year.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
In New Brunswick, the school counselor hourly pay stands at a competitive $35.05 per hour, surpassing the national median hourly rate of $30.93. This higher compensation reflects both local cost-of-living factors and the increasing demand for school counselors within the educational landscape. For part-time workers, such as those employed three days a week, this hourly rate offers a meaningful income; earning around $1,000 weekly (based on 24 hours) translates into a potential annual income well above what many other part-time positions might offer. The hourly pay range varies significantly, with entry-level counselors earning approximately $24.04 per hour while top earners within the professional spectrum can make up to $54.33 per hour. These figures are pivotal for anyone considering a career path in school counseling, as the hourly rates reflect broader trends in educational staffing and public funding priorities.
About the New Brunswick 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) | $24.04 | $192.34 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $27.31 | $218.47 |
| Median (P50) | $35.05 | $280.43 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $44.87 | $358.97 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $54.33 | $434.65 |
Estimated Annual Income by Work Schedule in New Brunswick
Based on $35.05/hr median hourly rate · 2026 est.
At $35.05/hr, a school counselor working full-time (40 hr/wk) in New Brunswick, NJ can expect to earn approximately $72,913 per year (2026 est.). Part-time hygienists working 24 hours per week would earn around $42,065. With a cost-of-living index of 115.20 (above the national average), these earnings may be offset by higher expenses in New Brunswick.
Hourly Rate Calculator
Schedule Comparison in New Brunswick
| Schedule | Weekly | Monthly | Annual |
|---|---|---|---|
| Full-Time (40 hrs) | $1,402.17 | $6,076 | $72,913 |
| Part-Time (24 hrs) | $841.30 | $3,646 | $43,748 |
| Per Diem (16 hrs) | $560.87 | $2,430 | $29,165 |
Compare SC, LSC Wages With Similar Roles
| Role | Median Hourly |
|---|---|
| School Counselor (New Brunswick) | $35.05 |
| 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 New Brunswick, NJ earn a median of $72,910 per year (2026 est.), which is 13.33% higher than the national median of $64,335 and 0.40% above the New Jersey state average of $72,619.
School Counselor Hourly Pay vs. Cost of Living
Working 24h/week at $35.05/hr = $43,748/year (purchasing power: $37,975).
Working 40h/week (full-time) = $72,913/year (purchasing power: $63,292).
CoL index: 115.2 (100 = national average).
2019 BLS Actual
$30.46/hr
2025 BLS Actual
$34.35/hr
2026 Current Est.
$35.05/hr
2019–2027 Growth
+17.5%
Hourly Rate Trajectory for School Counselors in New Brunswick (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 2.05% projection.
| Year | Hourly Rate | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $30.46/hr | Actual |
| 2020 | $31.03/hr | Actual |
| 2021 | $32.31/hr | Actual |
| 2022 | $32.11/hr | Actual |
| 2023 | $32.95/hr | Actual |
| 2024 | $45.59/hr | Actual |
| 2025 | $34.35/hr | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $35.05/hr | Estimated |
| 2027 | $35.77/hr | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, the median hourly rate for school counselors in New Brunswick grew 12.8% from $30.46/hr (2019) to $34.35/hr (2025). At a 2.05% projected growth rate, hourly pay is expected to reach $35.77/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 New Brunswick 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 New Brunswick
Adjusting for part-time scenarios, a school counselor working three days a week could take home about $51,716 annually, an attractive sum compared to other part-time jobs in New Brunswick. For those pursuing per diem or agency work, especially within high-cost-of-living markets, compensation reaches considerable heights; private college counselors can charge between $150 and $400 per hour for direct-pay consulting sessions. Notably, summer counseling roles can add another $5,000 to $15,000 on top of base earnings, illustrating the potential for supplemental income. Compensation also varies widely depending on the employer, with public school districts paying less frequently than charter and private schools, which might offer a higher hourly rate due to differing funding structures and operational policies. Counselors may choose between the more stable employment of a traditional school setting with benefits or a higher hourly rate without such coverage, which is a key trade-off. Negotiation strategies should focus on comparing offers that emphasize not just the hourly rate but also the overall benefits package and work-life balance.
More salary data for New Brunswick, NJ:
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the hourly rate for school counselors in New Brunswick in 2026?
How much do part-time school counselors make in New Brunswick?
Are school counselors in New Brunswick paid hourly or salary?
How much does a full-time school counselor make per year in New Brunswick?
Do school counselors earn more per hour working part-time in New Brunswick?
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 New Brunswick. 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 New Brunswick 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