School Counselor Pay

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.

$54,262
Median Annual Salary
$26.08/hr
Hourly Rate
$41,122
Entry Level (P10)
$84,107
Top Earners (P90)

Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source

School Counselor Hourly Rate in Holly Springs, NC — 2026 est., based on 2025 BLS
Holly Springs, NC school counselor hourly rate overview (2026 est., based on 2025 BLS)

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

PercentileHourly RatePer 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.

Horizontal bars showing a school counselor in Holly Springs earning $26.08/hr would make approximately $31,301 part-time (24 hr/wk) or $54,255 full-time (40 hr/wk).Part-Time (24 hr/wk)$31,301Reduced (32 hr/wk)$41,734Full-Time (40 hr/wk)$54,255

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.

Annual estimates assume 5052 working weeks per year. Actual earnings vary by employer, overtime, and benefits.

Hourly Rate Calculator

$208.67
per 8hr shift
$1,043.36
per week
$4,521
per month
$54,255
per year

Schedule Comparison in Holly Springs

ScheduleWeeklyMonthlyAnnual
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

RoleMedian 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
Horizontal bar chart comparing school counselor median salary in Holly Springs ($54,262) with North Carolina average ($56,230) and the US national median ($64,335).Holly Springs$54,262North Carolina Avg$56,230-3.50%US National$64,335-15.66%

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 (20192027)

2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 2.05% projection.

BLS Actual Estimated Projected
Hourly rate trajectory chart for school counselors in Holly Springs. Baseline $22.66/hr in 2025, projected to $26.62/hr by 2027.$22$23$25$26$272019202020212022202320242025202620272025 BLS$22.66$23.09$24.04$23.90$24.52$25.18$25.56$26.08$26.62
YearHourly RateStatus
2019$22.66/hrActual
2020$23.09/hrActual
2021$24.04/hrActual
2022$23.90/hrActual
2023$24.52/hrActual
2024$25.18/hrActual
2025$25.56/hrActual
2026(current)$26.08/hrEstimated
2027$26.62/hrProjected

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 (20192025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Holly Springs metropolitan area, sourced from annual Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics surveys. 20262026 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.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the hourly rate for school counselors in Holly Springs in 2026?

The estimated 2026 median hourly rate for school counselors in Holly Springs is $26.08/hour, based on estimated 2026 salary (projected from 2025 BLS data at 2.05% annual growth). Rates range from $19.77 at entry level (10th percentile) to $40.43 for experienced practitioners (90th percentile). This is 15.7% below the national average. Hourly pay varies based on practice type, patient volume, years of experience, and whether the position includes benefits.

How much do part-time school counselors make in Holly Springs?

A part-time school counselor working 3 days per week (24 hours) in Holly Springs earns approximately $2,713/month, or $32,553/year at the median hourly rate of $26.08. Many school counselors prefer part-time schedules for work-life balance, and some work at multiple practices to maximize earnings. Part-time positions may not include benefits like health insurance or retirement contributions, but typically offer higher hourly rates to compensate.

Are school counselors in Holly Springs paid hourly or salary?

The majority of school counselors in Holly Springs are paid hourly at a median rate of $26.08/hour. Some full-time positions at larger practices or organizations offer salaried compensation around $54,255/year, often bundled with benefits including health insurance, paid time off, retirement plans, and continuing education allowances. Hourly pay gives flexibility, while salary positions provide income stability.

How much does a full-time school counselor make per year in Holly Springs?

A full-time school counselor working 40 hours per week (2,080 hours/year) in Holly Springs earns approximately $54,255/year at the median hourly rate of $26.08. This is 15.7% below the national median. Top earners working full-time can reach $84,099/year at the 90th percentile rate. Overtime and weekend shifts may further increase annual earnings.

Do school counselors earn more per hour working part-time in Holly Springs?

Part-time and per diem school counselors in Holly Springs sometimes command higher hourly rates — up to $40.43/hour — because practices need flexible coverage for specific days or peak hours. However, part-time positions typically do not include benefits like health insurance, paid time off, or retirement contributions. When factoring in the value of benefits, full-time salaried positions may offer comparable or better total compensation despite a slightly lower hourly rate.

Related Pages

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MG

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.

Clinically reviewed by James Patel, M.A.Data verified by Linda Chen, LPC

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).

View estimation methodology

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

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