School Counselor Hourly Pay in Burlington, NC: $28.46 (2026)
Quick Answer:Hourly pay for a school counselor working in Burlington, NC runs $28.46 at the median for 2026 — annualizing to $59,195 at a standard 2,080-hour year. Figures projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 21-1012). Weighted against Burlington's regional price level (BEA RPP 93.2, 7% below national), each hour of work buys what $30.54 nationally would. A 24-hour part-time schedule grosses $35,520 per year.
Official BLS data · View source
In Burlington, North Carolina, the school counselor hourly pay stands at a median of $28.46, which is below the national median of $30.93. This rate provides a substantial income for part-time counselors who may work three days a week, especially given the essential roles they play in various educational environments, from elementary classroom guidance to high school counseling spaces. The hourly pay range for school counselors in the area extends from $18.15 for entry-level positions to $35.42 for top earners, reflecting the spectrum of experience and responsibility within the profession. These figures, derived from projected 2026 estimates based on 2025 BLS OEWS data, highlight the potential earnings for both full-time and per-diem roles in Burlington's diverse educational landscape.
School Counselor Hourly Wage Breakdown
| Percentile | Hourly Rate | Per 8hr Shift |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $18.15 | $145.24 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $23.39 | $187.12 |
| Median (P50) | $28.46 | $227.69 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $29.91 | $239.29 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $35.42 | $283.37 |
Estimated Annual Income by Work Schedule in Burlington
Based on $28.46/hr median hourly rate · 2026 est.
At $28.46/hr, a school counselor working full-time (40 hr/wk) in Burlington, NC can expect to earn approximately $59,200 per year (2026 est.). Part-time hygienists working 24 hours per week would earn around $34,154. With a cost-of-living index of 93.20 (below the national average), these earnings stretch further in Burlington.
Hourly Rate Calculator
Schedule Comparison in Burlington
| Schedule | Weekly | Monthly | Annual |
|---|---|---|---|
| Full-Time (40 hrs) | $1,138.47 | $4,933 | $59,200 |
| Part-Time (24 hrs) | $683.08 | $2,960 | $35,520 |
| Per Diem (16 hrs) | $455.39 | $1,973 | $23,680 |
Compare SC, LSC Wages With Similar Roles
| Role | Median Hourly |
|---|---|
| School Counselor (Burlington) | $28.46 |
| 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 Burlington, NC earn a median of $59,195 per year (2026 est.), which is 7.99% lower than the national median of $64,335 and 5.30% above the North Carolina state average of $56,216.
School Counselor Hourly Pay vs. Cost of Living
Working 24h/week at $28.46/hr = $35,520/year (purchasing power: $38,114).
Working 40h/week (full-time) = $59,200/year (purchasing power: $63,523).
CoL index: 93.196 (100 = national average). Your dollars stretch further here.
2019 BLS Actual
$23.80/hr
2025 BLS Actual
$27.89/hr
2026 Current Est.
$28.46/hr
2019–2027 Growth
+22.0%
Hourly Rate Trajectory for School Counselors in Burlington (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 2.05% projection.
| Year | Hourly Rate | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $23.80/hr | Actual |
| 2020 | $24.15/hr | Actual |
| 2021 | $23.51/hr | Actual |
| 2022 | $23.28/hr | Actual |
| 2023 | $23.30/hr | Actual |
| 2024 | $28.31/hr | Actual |
| 2025 | $27.89/hr | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $28.46/hr | Estimated |
| 2027 | $29.05/hr | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, the median hourly rate for school counselors in Burlington grew 17.2% from $23.80/hr (2019) to $27.89/hr (2025). At a 2.05% projected growth rate, hourly pay is expected to reach $29.05/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 Burlington 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 Burlington
Analyzing the potential earnings for school counselors reveals interesting dynamics, particularly for those considering part-time positions in Burlington. A school counselor working 24 hours a week would take home about $38,000 annually, significantly less than their full-time counterparts, who typically earn over $59,195. For those involved in per diem roles, such as private college counselors, the pay can range from $150 to $400 per hour in higher-cost-of-living markets, suggesting a lucrative alternative to traditional employment. Various employer types, including public K-12 districts, charter schools, and private institutions, contribute to varying hourly rates. Counselors may choose lower hourly pay with the benefits of health insurance in public roles, compared to higher rates in private settings without benefits. Negotiating for better terms can be vital; candidates should emphasize their qualifications and the growing emphasis on mental health services in schools due to post-COVID funding increases, which further bolster the demand for skilled counselors.
More salary data for Burlington, NC:
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 Burlington. 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