School Counselor Hourly Pay in Fuquay-Varina, NC: $26.57 (2026)
Quick Answer:Hourly pay for a school counselor working in Fuquay-Varina, NC runs $26.57 at the median for 2026 — annualizing to $55,270 at a standard 2,080-hour year. Figures projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 21-1012). Weighted against Fuquay-Varina's regional price level (BEA RPP 93.6, 6% below national), each hour of work buys what $28.39 nationally would. A 24-hour part-time schedule grosses $33,164 per year.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
In Fuquay-Varina, North Carolina, the school counselor hourly pay is projected to be $26.57 in 2026, which falls short compared to the national median hourly rate of $30.93. This discrepancy can significantly impact individuals seeking roles as part-time counselors, particularly those working three days a week or focusing on per-diem positions in diverse school environments, such as elementary guidance lessons, middle school group counseling, high school individual support offices, and summer academic programs. For entry-level school counselors, hourly rates start at $18.76, while top earners in Fuquay-Varina can work up to $40.77 an hour. These hourly rates are estimated based on annual salary data, illustrating a broader trend regarding compensation for school counseling positions across the region.
About the Fuquay-Varina 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) | $18.76 | $150.05 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $22.02 | $176.18 |
| Median (P50) | $26.57 | $212.59 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $33.09 | $264.76 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $40.77 | $326.15 |
Estimated Annual Income by Work Schedule in Fuquay-Varina
Based on $26.57/hr median hourly rate · 2026 est.
At $26.57/hr, a school counselor working full-time (40 hr/wk) in Fuquay-Varina, NC can expect to earn approximately $55,274 per year (2026 est.). Part-time hygienists working 24 hours per week would earn around $31,889. With a cost-of-living index of 93.60 (below the national average), these earnings stretch further in Fuquay-Varina.
Hourly Rate Calculator
Schedule Comparison in Fuquay-Varina
| Schedule | Weekly | Monthly | Annual |
|---|---|---|---|
| Full-Time (40 hrs) | $1,062.95 | $4,606 | $55,274 |
| Part-Time (24 hrs) | $637.77 | $2,764 | $33,164 |
| Per Diem (16 hrs) | $425.18 | $1,842 | $22,109 |
Compare SC, LSC Wages With Similar Roles
| Role | Median Hourly |
|---|---|
| School Counselor (Fuquay-Varina) | $26.57 |
| 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 Fuquay-Varina, NC earn a median of $55,270 per year (2026 est.), which is 14.09% lower than the national median of $64,335 and 1.70% below the North Carolina state average of $56,226.
School Counselor Hourly Pay vs. Cost of Living
Working 24h/week at $26.57/hr = $33,164/year (purchasing power: $35,432).
Working 40h/week (full-time) = $55,274/year (purchasing power: $59,053).
CoL index: 93.6 (100 = national average). Your dollars stretch further here.
2019 BLS Actual
$23.09/hr
2025 BLS Actual
$26.04/hr
2026 Current Est.
$26.57/hr
2019–2027 Growth
+17.5%
Hourly Rate Trajectory for School Counselors in Fuquay-Varina (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 2.05% projection.
| Year | Hourly Rate | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $23.09/hr | Actual |
| 2020 | $23.53/hr | Actual |
| 2021 | $24.49/hr | Actual |
| 2022 | $24.34/hr | Actual |
| 2023 | $24.98/hr | Actual |
| 2024 | $25.65/hr | Actual |
| 2025 | $26.04/hr | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $26.57/hr | Estimated |
| 2027 | $27.12/hr | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, the median hourly rate for school counselors in Fuquay-Varina grew 12.8% from $23.09/hr (2019) to $26.04/hr (2025). At a 2.05% projected growth rate, hourly pay is expected to reach $27.12/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 Fuquay-Varina 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 Fuquay-Varina
When examining the earning potential for school counselors, it’s essential to consider the realities of part-time work and the per-diem context. A counselor who works 24 hours a week may expect to take home roughly $33,177 annually, a stark contrast to what a full-time counterpart could earn. On the other hand, per diem school counselors in Fuquay-Varina may find opportunities in private colleges where direct pay for consulting can reach $150 to $400 per hour, particularly in high-cost areas. Various employer types, such as K-12 public schools, charter schools, and private institutions, also yield different compensation structures, impacting the hourly pay rates significantly. School counselors might accept lower pay in exchange for benefits like health insurance, while those in predominantly private roles negotiate for higher hourly pay but sacrifice benefits. Counselors entering negotiations should highlight their unique skills and relevant counseling certifications to potentially improve their earning situations, particularly as discussions regarding funding for mental health services in schools have gained traction post-COVID.
More salary data for Fuquay-Varina, NC:
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the hourly rate for school counselors in Fuquay-Varina in 2026?
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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 Fuquay-Varina. 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 Fuquay-Varina 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