School Counselor Hourly Pay in Woodbridge, NJ: $35.39 (2026)
Quick Answer:Hourly pay for a school counselor working in Woodbridge, NJ runs $35.39 at the median for 2026 — annualizing to $73,614 at a standard 2,080-hour year. Figures projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 21-1012). Weighted against Woodbridge's regional price level (BEA RPP 115.2, 15% above national), each hour of work buys what $30.72 nationally would. A 24-hour part-time schedule grosses $44,168 per year.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
In Woodbridge, New Jersey, school counselors earn a median hourly rate of $35.39, significantly higher than the national median of $30.93. This advantageous pay can make the role appealing for both part-time professionals, who may work three days a week, and per-diem workers providing flexibility in various settings. School counselors typically engage in activities ranging from elementary classroom guidance lessons to individual counseling in high schools, contributing to their diverse hourly earning potential. The hourly rates in Woodbridge range from $23.22 for entry-level positions to as high as $54.85 for experienced practitioners, demonstrating the varied opportunities available in the counseling landscape of 2026. These figures are estimated from annual salary data, reflecting the overall higher demand for school counseling services post-COVID in the region.
About the Woodbridge 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) | $23.22 | $185.73 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $28.96 | $231.69 |
| Median (P50) | $35.39 | $283.13 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $45.30 | $362.40 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $54.85 | $438.81 |
Estimated Annual Income by Work Schedule in Woodbridge
Based on $35.39/hr median hourly rate · 2026 est.
At $35.39/hr, a school counselor working full-time (40 hr/wk) in Woodbridge, NJ can expect to earn approximately $73,613 per year (2026 est.). Part-time hygienists working 24 hours per week would earn around $42,469. With a cost-of-living index of 115.20 (above the national average), these earnings may be offset by higher expenses in Woodbridge.
Hourly Rate Calculator
Schedule Comparison in Woodbridge
| Schedule | Weekly | Monthly | Annual |
|---|---|---|---|
| Full-Time (40 hrs) | $1,415.64 | $6,134 | $73,613 |
| Part-Time (24 hrs) | $849.38 | $3,681 | $44,168 |
| Per Diem (16 hrs) | $566.26 | $2,454 | $29,445 |
Compare SC, LSC Wages With Similar Roles
| Role | Median Hourly |
|---|---|
| School Counselor (Woodbridge) | $35.39 |
| 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 Woodbridge, NJ earn a median of $73,614 per year (2026 est.), which is 14.42% higher than the national median of $64,335 and 1.40% above the New Jersey state average of $72,597.
School Counselor Hourly Pay vs. Cost of Living
Working 24h/week at $35.39/hr = $44,168/year (purchasing power: $38,340).
Working 40h/week (full-time) = $73,613/year (purchasing power: $63,900).
CoL index: 115.2 (100 = national average).
2019 BLS Actual
$30.75/hr
2025 BLS Actual
$34.68/hr
2026 Current Est.
$35.39/hr
2019–2027 Growth
+17.5%
Hourly Rate Trajectory for School Counselors in Woodbridge (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 2.05% projection.
| Year | Hourly Rate | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $30.75/hr | Actual |
| 2020 | $31.33/hr | Actual |
| 2021 | $32.62/hr | Actual |
| 2022 | $32.42/hr | Actual |
| 2023 | $33.27/hr | Actual |
| 2024 | $46.03/hr | Actual |
| 2025 | $34.68/hr | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $35.39/hr | Estimated |
| 2027 | $36.12/hr | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, the median hourly rate for school counselors in Woodbridge grew 12.8% from $30.75/hr (2019) to $34.68/hr (2025). At a 2.05% projected growth rate, hourly pay is expected to reach $36.12/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 Woodbridge 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 Woodbridge
Considering part-time work in Woodbridge, a school counselor working three days a week, totaling 24 hours, would earn around $42,478 annually, which is substantially lower than a full-time counterpart but still provides a reasonable income. Meanwhile, per-diem school counselors in this area, especially those in private colleges, can command anywhere from $150 to $400 an hour, indicating a lucrative option for highly experienced counselors. Different types of employers also influence hourly pay significantly; K-12 public education roles tend to follow a structured step-and-lane salary model similar to teachers, while private schools often offer varied pay scales. Counselors might choose lower hourly pay in educational settings that come with benefits, whereas many per-diem opportunities lack health insurance but provide higher immediate compensation. Negotiating effectively in Woodbridge could involve emphasizing specialization or additional credentials that align with mental health funding expansions and ASCA recommendations, helping to secure optimal working conditions.
More salary data for Woodbridge, NJ:
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the hourly rate for school counselors in Woodbridge in 2026?
How much do part-time school counselors make in Woodbridge?
Are school counselors in Woodbridge paid hourly or salary?
How much does a full-time school counselor make per year in Woodbridge?
Do school counselors earn more per hour working part-time in Woodbridge?
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 Woodbridge. 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 Woodbridge 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