School Counselor Hourly Pay in Concord, NC: $29.09 (2026)
Quick Answer:Hourly pay for a school counselor working in Concord, NC runs $29.09 at the median for 2026 — annualizing to $60,509 at a standard 2,080-hour year. Figures projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 21-1012). Weighted against Concord's regional price level (BEA RPP 93.6, 6% below national), each hour of work buys what $31.08 nationally would. A 24-hour part-time schedule grosses $36,310 per year.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
In 2026, the school counselor hourly pay in Concord, North Carolina, is projected to be $29.09, which is notably lower than the national median of $30.93. This difference can impact part-time counselors working three days a week or those involved in per-diem roles, who may find themselves balancing individual counseling in high school offices or guiding small groups in middle school classrooms. The hourly pay for school counselors in this area ranges from $19.67 for early-career professionals to $45.09 for top earners, reflecting a diverse educational landscape that includes elementary guidance programs, college counseling at local institutions, and roles on crisis response teams. These hourly rates are derived from comprehensive annual salary estimates, offering insight into how much counselors can expect to earn during their work hours.
About the Concord Market
Salary estimated from North Carolina average ($58,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
School Counselor Hourly Wage Breakdown
| Percentile | Hourly Rate | Per 8hr Shift |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $19.67 | $157.32 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $22.52 | $180.18 |
| Median (P50) | $29.09 | $232.76 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $37.24 | $297.90 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $45.09 | $360.69 |
Estimated Annual Income by Work Schedule in Concord
Based on $29.09/hr median hourly rate · 2026 est.
At $29.09/hr, a school counselor working full-time (40 hr/wk) in Concord, NC can expect to earn approximately $60,516 per year (2026 est.). Part-time hygienists working 24 hours per week would earn around $34,913. With a cost-of-living index of 93.60 (below the national average), these earnings stretch further in Concord.
Hourly Rate Calculator
Schedule Comparison in Concord
| Schedule | Weekly | Monthly | Annual |
|---|---|---|---|
| Full-Time (40 hrs) | $1,163.78 | $5,043 | $60,516 |
| Part-Time (24 hrs) | $698.27 | $3,026 | $36,310 |
| Per Diem (16 hrs) | $465.51 | $2,017 | $24,207 |
Compare SC, LSC Wages With Similar Roles
| Role | Median Hourly |
|---|---|
| School Counselor (Concord) | $29.09 |
| 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 Concord, NC earn a median of $60,509 per year (2026 est.), which is 5.95% lower than the national median of $64,335 and 7.60% above the North Carolina state average of $56,235.
School Counselor Hourly Pay vs. Cost of Living
Working 24h/week at $29.09/hr = $36,310/year (purchasing power: $38,793).
Working 40h/week (full-time) = $60,516/year (purchasing power: $64,654).
CoL index: 93.6 (100 = national average). Your dollars stretch further here.
2019 BLS Actual
$25.28/hr
2025 BLS Actual
$28.51/hr
2026 Current Est.
$29.09/hr
2019–2027 Growth
+17.5%
Hourly Rate Trajectory for School Counselors in Concord (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 2.05% projection.
| Year | Hourly Rate | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $25.28/hr | Actual |
| 2020 | $25.76/hr | Actual |
| 2021 | $26.82/hr | Actual |
| 2022 | $26.65/hr | Actual |
| 2023 | $27.35/hr | Actual |
| 2024 | $26.79/hr | Actual |
| 2025 | $28.51/hr | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $29.09/hr | Estimated |
| 2027 | $29.69/hr | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, the median hourly rate for school counselors in Concord grew 12.8% from $25.28/hr (2019) to $28.51/hr (2025). At a 2.05% projected growth rate, hourly pay is expected to reach $29.69/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 Concord 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 Concord
Evaluating part-time opportunities for school counselors in Concord, it's crucial to consider the financial implications of working a 24-hour week versus full-time commitments. A part-time counselor would bring home significantly less annually than their full-time colleagues, which can impact lifestyle and financial stability. For those in per-diem positions, the pay structure shifts dramatically; private college consultants may charge between $150 and $400 per hour, highlighting a disparity between school settings and private practice. Employment in various educational systems, such as K-12 public, private, or charter schools, can greatly influence hourly rates. Counselors might accept lower hourly wages in exchange for benefits like health insurance or job security found in traditional public school roles. When negotiating wages, it’s important for counselors in Concord to understand the landscape and potential trade-offs, seeking clarity on how workplace settings impact overall compensation.
More salary data for Concord, 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 Concord. 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 Concord 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