School Counselor Hourly Pay in Albany, NY: $30.26 (2026)
Quick Answer:Hourly pay for a school counselor working in Albany, NY runs $30.26 at the median for 2026 — annualizing to $62,926 at a standard 2,080-hour year. Figures projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 21-1012). Weighted against Albany's regional price level (BEA RPP 99.6, 0% above national), each hour of work buys what $30.39 nationally would. A 24-hour part-time schedule grosses $37,762 per year.
Official BLS data · View source
In Albany, New York, school counselors earn a median hourly pay of $30.26, which is slightly lower than the national median of $30.93 per hour. This rate impacts various employment scenarios, from full-time professionals to part-time counselors who may only work three days a week. For part-time school counselors, typically engaged in settings like elementary classroom guidance, middle school group counseling, or high school individual sessions, the median hourly wage allows for a reasonable income, especially taking into consideration the demanding nature of their work. Those in Albany can expect to see a salary range from $22.47 at the entry level to $48.97 at the higher end of the spectrum, reflecting this profession's diverse earning potential based on experience, qualifications, and employer type, as indicated by official Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) data.
School Counselor Hourly Wage Breakdown
| Percentile | Hourly Rate | Per 8hr Shift |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $22.47 | $179.77 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $27.40 | $219.20 |
| Median (P50) | $30.26 | $242.06 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $39.25 | $313.99 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $48.97 | $391.79 |
Estimated Annual Income by Work Schedule in Albany
Based on $30.26/hr median hourly rate · 2026 est.
At $30.26/hr, a school counselor working full-time (40 hr/wk) in Albany, NY can expect to earn approximately $62,936 per year (2026 est.). Part-time hygienists working 24 hours per week would earn around $36,309. With a cost-of-living index of 99.57 (below the national average), these earnings stretch further in Albany.
Hourly Rate Calculator
Schedule Comparison in Albany
| Schedule | Weekly | Monthly | Annual |
|---|---|---|---|
| Full-Time (40 hrs) | $1,210.31 | $5,245 | $62,936 |
| Part-Time (24 hrs) | $726.19 | $3,147 | $37,762 |
| Per Diem (16 hrs) | $484.13 | $2,098 | $25,175 |
Compare SC, LSC Wages With Similar Roles
| Role | Median Hourly |
|---|---|
| School Counselor (Albany) | $30.26 |
| 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 Albany, NY earn a median of $62,926 per year (2026 est.), which is 2.19% lower than the national median of $64,335 and 1.30% above the New York state average of $62,119.
School Counselor Hourly Pay vs. Cost of Living
Working 24h/week at $30.26/hr = $37,762/year (purchasing power: $37,926).
Working 40h/week (full-time) = $62,936/year (purchasing power: $63,211).
CoL index: 99.566 (100 = national average). Your dollars stretch further here.
2019 BLS Actual
$28.34/hr
2025 BLS Actual
$29.65/hr
2026 Current Est.
$30.26/hr
2019–2027 Growth
+9.0%
Hourly Rate Trajectory for School Counselors in Albany (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 2.05% projection.
| Year | Hourly Rate | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $28.34/hr | Actual |
| 2020 | $27.22/hr | Actual |
| 2021 | $24.92/hr | Actual |
| 2022 | $27.78/hr | Actual |
| 2023 | $28.67/hr | Actual |
| 2024 | $29.85/hr | Actual |
| 2025 | $29.65/hr | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $30.26/hr | Estimated |
| 2027 | $30.88/hr | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, the median hourly rate for school counselors in Albany grew 4.6% from $28.34/hr (2019) to $29.65/hr (2025). At a 2.05% projected growth rate, hourly pay is expected to reach $30.88/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 Albany 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 Albany
Exploring the financial implications of part-time and per-diem work provides a clearer picture of school counselor hourly pay in Albany. For a school counselor working three days a week, totaling 24 hours, the annual earnings would be approximately $37,004, significantly less than a full-time role, which often offers benefits that contribute to overall career satisfaction. Per diem positions also vary widely; many private college counselors charge between $150 and $400 an hour, creating a stark contrast in earning potential within different contexts. Employment varies across K-12 public districts, charter schools, and private institutions, with each offering distinct trade-offs regarding hourly pay and benefits packages. Many counselors choose to accept lower hourly rates in exchange for stable employment, comprehensive health benefits, and the support of a structured work environment. To negotiate effectively, counselors in Albany should consider not only the hourly wage but also the benefits associated with full-time positions, as well as the growing demand for counseling support in schools amid increased mental health funding post-COVID.
More salary data for Albany, NY:
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the hourly rate for school counselors in Albany in 2026?
How much do part-time school counselors make in Albany?
Are school counselors in Albany paid hourly or salary?
How much does a full-time school counselor make per year in Albany?
Do school counselors earn more per hour working part-time in Albany?
Related Pages
Compare Salaries
Career Resources
Nearby Cities in New York
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 Albany. 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