School Counselor Hourly Pay in Holly Springs, NC: $26.08 (2026)
Quick Answer:Hourly pay for a school counselor working in Holly Springs, NC runs $26.08 at the median for 2026 — annualizing to $54,262 at a standard 2,080-hour year. Figures projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 21-1012). Weighted against Holly Springs's regional price level (BEA RPP 93.6, 6% below national), each hour of work buys what $27.87 nationally would. A 24-hour part-time schedule grosses $32,553 per year.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source

In Holly Springs, North Carolina, the school counselor hourly pay averages $26.08, which sits considerably below the national hourly median of $30.93. This discrepancy may reflect regional economic conditions and the local cost of living index, which stands at 93.6, indicating that Holly Springs is below the national average. For part-time school counselors, typically working three days a week, this hourly rate translates to an annual income that is influenced by the number of weeks worked. Counselors often serve in a variety of settings, from elementary schools facilitating classroom guidance lessons to high schools providing individual counseling sessions. The potential earnings range from $19.77 for entry-level positions to $40.43 for the more experienced practitioners, highlighting the diverse landscape of opportunities within school counseling in this area.
About the Holly Springs 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) | $19.77 | $158.14 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $21.03 | $168.26 |
| Median (P50) | $26.08 | $208.67 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $33.39 | $267.13 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $40.43 | $323.46 |
Estimated Annual Income by Work Schedule in Holly Springs
Based on $26.08/hr median hourly rate · 2026 est.
At $26.08/hr, a school counselor working full-time (40 hr/wk) in Holly Springs, NC can expect to earn approximately $54,255 per year (2026 est.). Part-time hygienists working 24 hours per week would earn around $31,301. With a cost-of-living index of 93.60 (below the national average), these earnings stretch further in Holly Springs.
Hourly Rate Calculator
Schedule Comparison in Holly Springs
| Schedule | Weekly | Monthly | Annual |
|---|---|---|---|
| Full-Time (40 hrs) | $1,043.36 | $4,521 | $54,255 |
| Part-Time (24 hrs) | $626.02 | $2,713 | $32,553 |
| Per Diem (16 hrs) | $417.34 | $1,808 | $21,702 |
Compare SC, LSC Wages With Similar Roles
| Role | Median Hourly |
|---|---|
| School Counselor (Holly Springs) | $26.08 |
| 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 Holly Springs, NC earn a median of $54,262 per year (2026 est.), which is 15.66% lower than the national median of $64,335 and 3.50% below the North Carolina state average of $56,230.
School Counselor Hourly Pay vs. Cost of Living
Working 24h/week at $26.08/hr = $32,553/year (purchasing power: $34,779).
Working 40h/week (full-time) = $54,255/year (purchasing power: $57,964).
CoL index: 93.6 (100 = national average). Your dollars stretch further here.
2019 BLS Actual
$22.66/hr
2025 BLS Actual
$25.56/hr
2026 Current Est.
$26.08/hr
2019–2027 Growth
+17.5%
Hourly Rate Trajectory for School Counselors in Holly Springs (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 2.05% projection.
| Year | Hourly Rate | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $22.66/hr | Actual |
| 2020 | $23.09/hr | Actual |
| 2021 | $24.04/hr | Actual |
| 2022 | $23.90/hr | Actual |
| 2023 | $24.52/hr | Actual |
| 2024 | $25.18/hr | Actual |
| 2025 | $25.56/hr | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $26.08/hr | Estimated |
| 2027 | $26.62/hr | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, the median hourly rate for school counselors in Holly Springs grew 12.8% from $22.66/hr (2019) to $25.56/hr (2025). At a 2.05% projected growth rate, hourly pay is expected to reach $26.62/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 Holly Springs 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 Holly Springs
Part-time counselors working 24 hours a week could expect to earn roughly $32,685 annually based on the $26.08/hour rate, a significant contrast to full-time roles that garner higher yearly totals. The environment for per-diem school counselor pay in Holly Springs also varies, with private college consultants charging between $150 and $400 per hour, particularly in high-cost-of-living (HCOL) markets. Hourly rates differ based on the type of institution that employs counselors, including K-12 public schools, charter networks, private institutions, and government education programs. Some individuals may gravitate towards positions offering lower hourly wages but robust benefits such as health insurance, contrary to higher hourly rates which typically lack such perks. Effective negotiation strategies are essential for counselors navigating the local job market, as understanding employer-specific compensation structures can lead to better agreements and career satisfaction in Holly Springs.
More salary data for Holly Springs, 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 Holly Springs. 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 Holly Springs 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