School Counselor Hourly Pay in High Point, NC: $26.61 (2026)
Quick Answer:Hourly pay for a school counselor working in High Point, NC runs $26.61 at the median for 2026 — annualizing to $55,368 at a standard 2,080-hour year. Figures projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 21-1012). Weighted against High Point's regional price level (BEA RPP 93.6, 6% below national), each hour of work buys what $28.43 nationally would. A 24-hour part-time schedule grosses $33,215 per year.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
The school counselor hourly pay in High Point, NC, is projected to be $26.61 in 2026, which is notably lower than the national hourly median of $30.93. This significant difference indicates that counselors in High Point may find themselves in a challenging financial position, especially those working part-time or on a per-diem basis in various educational environments. Part-time counselors, typically engaged for about three days a week, can expect to earn around $24,000 annually based on this hourly rate, while securing roles in K-12 settings—like elementary guidance lessons, middle school group counseling, and high school individual assessments—remains a consistent source of income. Furthermore, the hourly range for school counselors in High Point varies widely, from entry-level wages of $18.76 at the 10th percentile to higher earnings reaching $41.26 for top earners at the 90th percentile.
About the High Point 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) | $21.19 | $169.48 |
| Median (P50) | $26.61 | $212.92 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $34.07 | $272.60 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $41.26 | $330.07 |
Estimated Annual Income by Work Schedule in High Point
Based on $26.61/hr median hourly rate · 2026 est.
At $26.61/hr, a school counselor working full-time (40 hr/wk) in High Point, NC can expect to earn approximately $55,358 per year (2026 est.). Part-time hygienists working 24 hours per week would earn around $31,938. With a cost-of-living index of 93.60 (below the national average), these earnings stretch further in High Point.
Hourly Rate Calculator
Schedule Comparison in High Point
| Schedule | Weekly | Monthly | Annual |
|---|---|---|---|
| Full-Time (40 hrs) | $1,064.59 | $4,613 | $55,358 |
| Part-Time (24 hrs) | $638.75 | $2,768 | $33,215 |
| Per Diem (16 hrs) | $425.83 | $1,845 | $22,143 |
Compare SC, LSC Wages With Similar Roles
| Role | Median Hourly |
|---|---|
| School Counselor (High Point) | $26.61 |
| 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 High Point, NC earn a median of $55,368 per year (2026 est.), which is 13.94% lower than the national median of $64,335 and 1.50% below the North Carolina state average of $56,211.
School Counselor Hourly Pay vs. Cost of Living
Working 24h/week at $26.61/hr = $33,215/year (purchasing power: $35,486).
Working 40h/week (full-time) = $55,358/year (purchasing power: $59,144).
CoL index: 93.6 (100 = national average). Your dollars stretch further here.
2019 BLS Actual
$23.12/hr
2025 BLS Actual
$26.08/hr
2026 Current Est.
$26.61/hr
2019–2027 Growth
+17.5%
Hourly Rate Trajectory for School Counselors in High Point (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 2.05% projection.
| Year | Hourly Rate | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $23.12/hr | Actual |
| 2020 | $23.56/hr | Actual |
| 2021 | $24.53/hr | Actual |
| 2022 | $24.38/hr | Actual |
| 2023 | $25.02/hr | Actual |
| 2024 | $25.95/hr | Actual |
| 2025 | $26.08/hr | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $26.61/hr | Estimated |
| 2027 | $27.16/hr | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, the median hourly rate for school counselors in High Point grew 12.8% from $23.12/hr (2019) to $26.08/hr (2025). At a 2.05% projected growth rate, hourly pay is expected to reach $27.16/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 High Point 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 High Point
Despite the relatively lower hourly pay, part-time school counselors can still make a decent living depending on their work arrangements. For example, a school counselor working 24 hours per week, based on the $26.61 hourly rate, would earn approximately $33,257 annually—substantially less than a full-time salary. Many professionals in this field also explore per-diem opportunities, such as consulting for private colleges, which can command rates between $150 and $400 per hour in higher-cost-of-living markets. Additionally, counseling during the extended school year can significantly augment income, adding anywhere from $5,000 to $15,000 to the base pay. School counselors in High Point may find that pay scales differ widely across employer types, with public K-12 schools offering stable pay but possibly fewer benefits compared to positions in private or charter institutions. Negotiating hourly rates can be advantageous in this context; those seeking higher compensation might opt to pursue positions that trade off benefits for increased hourly wages, making it crucial to understand employer offerings and craft negotiation strategies that reflect individual priorities, such as health insurance vs. take-home pay.
More salary data for High Point, 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 High Point. 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 High Point 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