School Counselor Hourly Pay in Athens, OH: $27.21 (2026)
Quick Answer:Hourly pay for a school counselor working in Athens, OH runs $27.21 at the median for 2026 — annualizing to $56,595 at a standard 2,080-hour year. Figures projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 21-1012). Weighted against Athens's regional price level (BEA RPP 90.7, 9% below national), each hour of work buys what $30.00 nationally would. A 24-hour part-time schedule grosses $33,954 per year.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
In Athens, Ohio, the school counselor hourly pay is projected to be $27.21 in 2026, which is noticeably below the national median hourly rate of $30.93. This figure reflects the local economic context and speaks to the typical working patterns within school counseling settings, which often include part-time and per-diem roles. For instance, a school counselor working three days a week could carve out a viable part-time career, providing guidance in elementary classrooms, facilitating middle school group sessions, or offering individual counseling at the high school level. The expected hourly pay range for this profession in Athens runs from $20.07 at entry-level positions to $41.68 for those at the top of their field. These hourly rates, derived from salary data, indicate the potential for variability based on experience, skill set, and specific employment circumstances.
About the Athens Market
Salary estimated from Ohio average ($64,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
School Counselor Hourly Wage Breakdown
| Percentile | Hourly Rate | Per 8hr Shift |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $20.07 | $160.59 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $22.02 | $176.18 |
| Median (P50) | $27.21 | $217.65 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $34.12 | $272.92 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $41.68 | $333.42 |
Estimated Annual Income by Work Schedule in Athens
Based on $27.21/hr median hourly rate · 2026 est.
At $27.21/hr, a school counselor working full-time (40 hr/wk) in Athens, OH can expect to earn approximately $56,590 per year (2026 est.). Part-time hygienists working 24 hours per week would earn around $32,648. With a cost-of-living index of 90.70 (below the national average), these earnings stretch further in Athens.
Hourly Rate Calculator
Schedule Comparison in Athens
| Schedule | Weekly | Monthly | Annual |
|---|---|---|---|
| Full-Time (40 hrs) | $1,088.26 | $4,716 | $56,590 |
| Part-Time (24 hrs) | $652.96 | $2,829 | $33,954 |
| Per Diem (16 hrs) | $435.30 | $1,886 | $22,636 |
Compare SC, LSC Wages With Similar Roles
| Role | Median Hourly |
|---|---|
| School Counselor (Athens) | $27.21 |
| 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 Athens, OH earn a median of $56,595 per year (2026 est.), which is 12.03% lower than the national median of $64,335 and 7.20% below the Ohio state average of $60,986.
School Counselor Hourly Pay vs. Cost of Living
Working 24h/week at $27.21/hr = $33,954/year (purchasing power: $37,435).
Working 40h/week (full-time) = $56,590/year (purchasing power: $62,392).
CoL index: 90.7 (100 = national average). Your dollars stretch further here.
2019 BLS Actual
$23.64/hr
2025 BLS Actual
$26.66/hr
2026 Current Est.
$27.21/hr
2019–2027 Growth
+17.5%
Hourly Rate Trajectory for School Counselors in Athens (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 2.05% projection.
| Year | Hourly Rate | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $23.64/hr | Actual |
| 2020 | $24.09/hr | Actual |
| 2021 | $25.08/hr | Actual |
| 2022 | $24.92/hr | Actual |
| 2023 | $25.57/hr | Actual |
| 2024 | $25.89/hr | Actual |
| 2025 | $26.66/hr | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $27.21/hr | Estimated |
| 2027 | $27.76/hr | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, the median hourly rate for school counselors in Athens grew 12.8% from $23.64/hr (2019) to $26.66/hr (2025). At a 2.05% projected growth rate, hourly pay is expected to reach $27.76/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 Athens 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 Athens
The earning potential for part-time school counselors in Athens can be significant; for someone working a typical schedule of 24 hours weekly, the annual take-home would significantly differ from full-time counterparts. Although per diem and agency roles may offer hourly compensation that can range substantially higher than K-12 positions, such as private college counselors charging between $150-$400 an hour, these opportunities come with different sacrifices. Many school counselors may opt for lower hourly wages in exchange for benefits such as health insurance, which is often suspended in freelance or per diem arrangements. Moreover, hourly rates can fluctuate depending on the employer, with discrepancies observed between K-12 public schools, charter networks, and private institutions. Navigating these with practical negotiation strategies can boost a counselor’s hourly pay in Athens, enhancing not just immediate compensation but overall job satisfaction.
More salary data for Athens, OH:
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 Athens. 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 Athens 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