School Counselor Hourly Pay in Fayetteville, NC: $27.69 (2026)
Quick Answer:Hourly pay for a school counselor working in Fayetteville, NC runs $27.69 at the median for 2026 — annualizing to $57,585 at a standard 2,080-hour year. Figures projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 21-1012). Weighted against Fayetteville's regional price level (BEA RPP 92.0, 8% below national), each hour of work buys what $30.10 nationally would. A 24-hour part-time schedule grosses $34,552 per year.
Official BLS data · View source
In Fayetteville, North Carolina, school counselor hourly pay is projected to reach a median of $27.69 in 2026, which places it lower than the national median of $30.93. This pay structure has significant implications for those working part-time or on a per-diem basis. For counselors engaged in elementary classroom guidance, middle school small group counseling, or high school individual sessions, their per-hour earnings can vary widely. Entry-level positions might start around $19.15, while experienced professionals could earn up to $34.67 per hour. These figures are based on 2025 BLS OEWS data, projected to 2026, reflecting the local economic context and funding for mental health services in schools.
School Counselor Hourly Wage Breakdown
| Percentile | Hourly Rate | Per 8hr Shift |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $19.15 | $153.24 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $22.64 | $181.16 |
| Median (P50) | $27.69 | $221.49 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $29.69 | $237.49 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $34.67 | $277.33 |
Estimated Annual Income by Work Schedule in Fayetteville
Based on $27.69/hr median hourly rate · 2026 est.
At $27.69/hr, a school counselor working full-time (40 hr/wk) in Fayetteville, NC can expect to earn approximately $57,587 per year (2026 est.). Part-time hygienists working 24 hours per week would earn around $33,223. With a cost-of-living index of 91.98 (below the national average), these earnings stretch further in Fayetteville.
Hourly Rate Calculator
Schedule Comparison in Fayetteville
| Schedule | Weekly | Monthly | Annual |
|---|---|---|---|
| Full-Time (40 hrs) | $1,107.45 | $4,799 | $57,587 |
| Part-Time (24 hrs) | $664.47 | $2,879 | $34,552 |
| Per Diem (16 hrs) | $442.98 | $1,920 | $23,035 |
Compare SC, LSC Wages With Similar Roles
| Role | Median Hourly |
|---|---|
| School Counselor (Fayetteville) | $27.69 |
| 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 Fayetteville, NC earn a median of $57,585 per year (2026 est.), which is 10.49% lower than the national median of $64,335 and 2.40% above the North Carolina state average of $56,235.
School Counselor Hourly Pay vs. Cost of Living
Working 24h/week at $27.69/hr = $34,552/year (purchasing power: $37,566).
Working 40h/week (full-time) = $57,587/year (purchasing power: $62,610).
CoL index: 91.978 (100 = national average). Your dollars stretch further here.
2019 BLS Actual
$23.28/hr
2025 BLS Actual
$27.13/hr
2026 Current Est.
$27.69/hr
2019–2027 Growth
+21.4%
Hourly Rate Trajectory for School Counselors in Fayetteville (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 2.05% projection.
| Year | Hourly Rate | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $23.28/hr | Actual |
| 2020 | $23.89/hr | Actual |
| 2021 | $22.75/hr | Actual |
| 2022 | $23.51/hr | Actual |
| 2023 | $24.06/hr | Actual |
| 2024 | $26.78/hr | Actual |
| 2025 | $27.13/hr | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $27.69/hr | Estimated |
| 2027 | $28.25/hr | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, the median hourly rate for school counselors in Fayetteville grew 16.5% from $23.28/hr (2019) to $27.13/hr (2025). At a 2.05% projected growth rate, hourly pay is expected to reach $28.25/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 Fayetteville 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 Fayetteville
For a part-time school counselor working three days a week, with an average of 24 hours, the annual earnings can differ significantly compared to full-time work, where the same professional might earn $57,585 annually. Per diem or agency counseling roles often provide opportunities for higher earnings; for example, private college counselors may command fees of $150 to $400 per hour in high-cost living areas. In Fayetteville, hourly rates can span across various employer types, from K-12 public schools to charter schools and private institutions. However, many counselors opt for hourly pay that includes benefits, rather than higher pay without them. For those looking to negotiate salaries, demonstrating the value they bring, especially in the post-COVID environment where funding for mental health has increased, can be a solid strategy.
More salary data for Fayetteville, 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 Fayetteville. 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