School Counselor Hourly Pay in Monroe, NC: $25.99 (2026)
Quick Answer:Hourly pay for a school counselor working in Monroe, NC runs $25.99 at the median for 2026 — annualizing to $54,070 at a standard 2,080-hour year. Figures projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 21-1012). Weighted against Monroe's regional price level (BEA RPP 93.6, 6% below national), each hour of work buys what $27.77 nationally would. A 24-hour part-time schedule grosses $32,438 per year.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
Monroe, North Carolina offers a school counselor hourly rate of $25.99, which falls short of the national median of $30.93. For those working part-time—perhaps three days a week—this translates to a significant, though manageable income, making the role attractive for professionals seeking flexible schedules. Typical settings such as elementary classroom guidance or high school counseling offices provide ample opportunities for these positions. The hourly wage range in Monroe stretches from $19.52 for entry-level positions to $40.29 for the top earners in the field. These hourly figures are estimated based on annual salary data, reflecting the local economic conditions, which include a cost of living index below the national average.
About the Monroe 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) | $19.52 | $156.18 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $21.42 | $171.36 |
| Median (P50) | $25.99 | $207.94 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $33.26 | $266.06 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $40.29 | $322.31 |
Estimated Annual Income by Work Schedule in Monroe
Based on $25.99/hr median hourly rate · 2026 est.
At $25.99/hr, a school counselor working full-time (40 hr/wk) in Monroe, NC can expect to earn approximately $54,064 per year (2026 est.). Part-time hygienists working 24 hours per week would earn around $31,191. With a cost-of-living index of 93.60 (below the national average), these earnings stretch further in Monroe.
Hourly Rate Calculator
Schedule Comparison in Monroe
| Schedule | Weekly | Monthly | Annual |
|---|---|---|---|
| Full-Time (40 hrs) | $1,039.69 | $4,505 | $54,064 |
| Part-Time (24 hrs) | $623.81 | $2,703 | $32,438 |
| Per Diem (16 hrs) | $415.87 | $1,802 | $21,625 |
Compare SC, LSC Wages With Similar Roles
| Role | Median Hourly |
|---|---|
| School Counselor (Monroe) | $25.99 |
| 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 Monroe, NC earn a median of $54,070 per year (2026 est.), which is 15.96% lower than the national median of $64,335 and 3.80% below the North Carolina state average of $56,206.
School Counselor Hourly Pay vs. Cost of Living
Working 24h/week at $25.99/hr = $32,438/year (purchasing power: $34,656).
Working 40h/week (full-time) = $54,064/year (purchasing power: $57,760).
CoL index: 93.6 (100 = national average). Your dollars stretch further here.
2019 BLS Actual
$22.58/hr
2025 BLS Actual
$25.47/hr
2026 Current Est.
$25.99/hr
2019–2027 Growth
+17.5%
Hourly Rate Trajectory for School Counselors in Monroe (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 2.05% projection.
| Year | Hourly Rate | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $22.58/hr | Actual |
| 2020 | $23.01/hr | Actual |
| 2021 | $23.96/hr | Actual |
| 2022 | $23.81/hr | Actual |
| 2023 | $24.43/hr | Actual |
| 2024 | $25.10/hr | Actual |
| 2025 | $25.47/hr | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $25.99/hr | Estimated |
| 2027 | $26.52/hr | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, the median hourly rate for school counselors in Monroe grew 12.8% from $22.58/hr (2019) to $25.47/hr (2025). At a 2.05% projected growth rate, hourly pay is expected to reach $26.52/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 Monroe 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 Monroe
When considering the part-time earning potential, a school counselor working 24 hours a week could make approximately $32,877 annually, a notable contrast to the full-time salary that approaches $54,070. The per diem or contract school counselors often see varying rates, as private college consultants can charge anywhere from $150 to $400 for direct-pay sessions, illustrating a disparity in compensation based on different employment types. Opportunities in Monroe include roles across K-12 public schools, charter schools, and private institutions, with hourly pay varying considerably by employer. While some counselors may choose lower hourly rates for the benefits of full-time positions, others find financial viability in negotiating higher wages devoid of health insurance. Counselors considering job offers should be aware of these dynamics and strategically negotiate their compensation based on the specific benefits and opportunities available in the Monroe area.
More salary data for Monroe, 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 Monroe. 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 Monroe 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