School Counselor Hourly Pay in Rocky Mount, NC: $25.13 (2026)
Quick Answer:Hourly pay for a school counselor working in Rocky Mount, NC runs $25.13 at the median for 2026 — annualizing to $52,275 at a standard 2,080-hour year. Figures projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 21-1012). Weighted against Rocky Mount's regional price level (BEA RPP 88.0, 12% below national), each hour of work buys what $28.56 nationally would. A 24-hour part-time schedule grosses $31,368 per year.
Official BLS data · View source
In Rocky Mount, NC, school counselors earn a median hourly pay of $25.13, which is significantly lower than the national median hourly rate of $30.93. This discrepancy indicates potential challenges for part-time workers and per-diem school counselors who may operate in various educational settings such as elementary classrooms, middle school group counseling, and high school individual support. The hourly pay range for counselors in this area varies widely, with entry-level positions starting around $20.26 and more experienced professionals earning up to $32.49 per hour. Data from 2026 estimates based on 2025 BLS data highlights the potential for school counselors to earn a livable wage while contributing to the mental health and educational guidance of their students.
School Counselor Hourly Wage Breakdown
| Percentile | Hourly Rate | Per 8hr Shift |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $20.26 | $162.06 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $21.84 | $174.71 |
| Median (P50) | $25.13 | $201.08 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $29.37 | $234.96 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $32.49 | $259.94 |
Estimated Annual Income by Work Schedule in Rocky Mount
Based on $25.13/hr median hourly rate · 2026 est.
At $25.13/hr, a school counselor working full-time (40 hr/wk) in Rocky Mount, NC can expect to earn approximately $52,281 per year (2026 est.). Part-time hygienists working 24 hours per week would earn around $30,162. With a cost-of-living index of 88.01 (below the national average), these earnings stretch further in Rocky Mount.
Hourly Rate Calculator
Schedule Comparison in Rocky Mount
| Schedule | Weekly | Monthly | Annual |
|---|---|---|---|
| Full-Time (40 hrs) | $1,005.40 | $4,357 | $52,281 |
| Part-Time (24 hrs) | $603.24 | $2,614 | $31,368 |
| Per Diem (16 hrs) | $402.16 | $1,743 | $20,912 |
Compare SC, LSC Wages With Similar Roles
| Role | Median Hourly |
|---|---|
| School Counselor (Rocky Mount) | $25.13 |
| 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 Rocky Mount, NC earn a median of $52,275 per year (2026 est.), which is 18.75% lower than the national median of $64,335 and 7.00% below the North Carolina state average of $56,210.
School Counselor Hourly Pay vs. Cost of Living
Working 24h/week at $25.13/hr = $31,368/year (purchasing power: $35,641).
Working 40h/week (full-time) = $52,281/year (purchasing power: $59,402).
CoL index: 88.012 (100 = national average). Your dollars stretch further here.
2019 BLS Actual
$24.65/hr
2025 BLS Actual
$24.63/hr
2026 Current Est.
$25.13/hr
2019–2027 Growth
+4.1%
Hourly Rate Trajectory for School Counselors in Rocky Mount (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 2.05% projection.
| Year | Hourly Rate | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $24.65/hr | Actual |
| 2020 | $24.97/hr | Actual |
| 2021 | $22.52/hr | Actual |
| 2022 | $22.90/hr | Actual |
| 2023 | $22.92/hr | Actual |
| 2024 | $24.82/hr | Actual |
| 2025 | $24.63/hr | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $25.13/hr | Estimated |
| 2027 | $25.65/hr | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, the median hourly rate for school counselors in Rocky Mount grew -0.1% from $24.65/hr (2019) to $24.63/hr (2025). At a 2.05% projected growth rate, hourly pay is expected to reach $25.65/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 Rocky Mount 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 Rocky Mount
For a school counselor working three days a week, or about 24 hours, the financial picture may not be as rosy when compared to full-time employment. Part-time counselors may take home significantly less annually than their full-time counterparts, especially given how the benefits structure can skew earnings. Per diem school counselors, particularly those who work with private colleges, command rates between $150 and $400 per hour in high-cost-of-living areas, illustrating the vastly different earning potentials in the field. In Rocky Mount, variations in hourly pay are tied to employer types, with K-12 public schools and charter networks typically offering different pay structures compared to private institutions. Some counselors prioritize benefits like health insurance over higher hourly rates that come with fewer benefits, which can affect their long-term earning potential. Negotiating hourly pay can be beneficial, but understanding the local market and advocating for fair compensation remain essential for school counselors in the NC education system.
More salary data for Rocky Mount, 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 Rocky Mount. Part-time and full-time income estimates assume consistent weekly hours and do not account for overtime, benefits, or seasonal variation.
Data Sources & Methodology
Source: BLS, OEWS, 7-year dataset (–). Per-city data from annual BLS metropolitan area surveys.
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