School Counselor Hourly Pay in Trenton, NJ: $37.18 (2026)
Quick Answer:Hourly pay for a school counselor working in Trenton, NJ runs $37.18 at the median for 2026 — annualizing to $77,327 at a standard 2,080-hour year. Figures projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 21-1012). Weighted against Trenton's regional price level (BEA RPP 103.2, 3% above national), each hour of work buys what $36.03 nationally would. A 24-hour part-time schedule grosses $46,397 per year.
Official BLS data · View source
In Trenton, New Jersey, school counselors earn a median hourly rate of $37.18, which significantly exceeds the national median of $30.93. This favorable compensation allows for a decent income even among part-time workers in various educational settings, such as elementary schools providing guidance lessons, middle schools facilitating group counseling, and high schools engaged in individual counseling. For those pursuing per-diem opportunities, work may involve college counseling resource rooms or even crisis response team coordination. Depending on experience, hourly earnings for school counselors can vary widely, with entry-level positions starting at $23.88 per hour, while more experienced professionals can earn as much as $49.44 per hour, reflecting the diverse demand for school counselors within Trenton's educational landscape.
School Counselor Hourly Wage Breakdown
| Percentile | Hourly Rate | Per 8hr Shift |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $23.88 | $191.04 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $29.03 | $232.27 |
| Median (P50) | $37.18 | $297.41 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $46.78 | $374.24 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $49.44 | $395.55 |
Estimated Annual Income by Work Schedule in Trenton
Based on $37.18/hr median hourly rate · 2026 est.
At $37.18/hr, a school counselor working full-time (40 hr/wk) in Trenton, NJ can expect to earn approximately $77,328 per year (2026 est.). Part-time hygienists working 24 hours per week would earn around $44,612. With a cost-of-living index of 103.18 (above the national average), these earnings may be offset by higher expenses in Trenton.
Hourly Rate Calculator
Schedule Comparison in Trenton
| Schedule | Weekly | Monthly | Annual |
|---|---|---|---|
| Full-Time (40 hrs) | $1,487.07 | $6,444 | $77,328 |
| Part-Time (24 hrs) | $892.24 | $3,866 | $46,397 |
| Per Diem (16 hrs) | $594.83 | $2,578 | $30,931 |
Compare SC, LSC Wages With Similar Roles
| Role | Median Hourly |
|---|---|
| School Counselor (Trenton) | $37.18 |
| 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 Trenton, NJ earn a median of $77,327 per year (2026 est.), which is 20.19% higher than the national median of $64,335 and 6.50% above the New Jersey state average of $72,608.
School Counselor Hourly Pay vs. Cost of Living
Working 24h/week at $37.18/hr = $46,397/year (purchasing power: $44,967).
Working 40h/week (full-time) = $77,328/year (purchasing power: $74,945).
CoL index: 103.18 (100 = national average).
2019 BLS Actual
$35.01/hr
2025 BLS Actual
$36.43/hr
2026 Current Est.
$37.18/hr
2019–2027 Growth
+8.4%
Hourly Rate Trajectory for School Counselors in Trenton (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 2.05% projection.
| Year | Hourly Rate | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $35.01/hr | Actual |
| 2020 | $36.06/hr | Actual |
| 2021 | $29.19/hr | Actual |
| 2022 | $31.53/hr | Actual |
| 2023 | $34.54/hr | Actual |
| 2024 | $36.99/hr | Actual |
| 2025 | $36.43/hr | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $37.18/hr | Estimated |
| 2027 | $37.94/hr | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, the median hourly rate for school counselors in Trenton grew 4.1% from $35.01/hr (2019) to $36.43/hr (2025). At a 2.05% projected growth rate, hourly pay is expected to reach $37.94/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 Trenton 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 Trenton
### Analysis: Part-time school counselors in Trenton who work approximately three days a week typically take home a more modest annual income compared to full-time professionals. For instance, a part-time schedule covering 24 hours weekly would yield an annual income of around $46,136, contrasting sharply with the higher pay that full-time roles offer. In addition to regular employment, the per diem school counselor pay in Trenton can be quite lucrative; private college counselors can command rates ranging from $150 to $400 per hour, particularly in high-cost-of-living markets, and working during the extended school year can add an additional $5,000 to $15,000 annually to their earnings. Variations in hourly rates across Trenton's educational institutions depend on the type of employer; public K-12 school districts, charter schools, and private institutions often have different pay scales influenced by state funding and institutional resources. While some counselors may accept lower hourly pay for the benefits of health insurance, others might opt for higher pay without benefits. For those engaged in negotiation, it's advisable to approach discussions with a clear understanding of the unique value they bring to their prospective employer, factoring in the current market rates for counselors in Trenton and the additional financial benefits associated with full-time work in certain districts.
More salary data for Trenton, 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 Trenton. Part-time and full-time income estimates assume consistent weekly hours and do not account for overtime, benefits, or seasonal variation.
Data Sources & Methodology
Source: BLS, OEWS, 7-year dataset (–). Per-city data from annual BLS metropolitan area surveys.
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