School Counselor Hourly Pay in Altus, OK: $25.55 (2026)
Quick Answer:Hourly pay for a school counselor working in Altus, OK runs $25.55 at the median for 2026 — annualizing to $53,140 at a standard 2,080-hour year. Figures projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 21-1012). Weighted against Altus's regional price level (BEA RPP 88.9, 11% below national), each hour of work buys what $28.74 nationally would. A 24-hour part-time schedule grosses $31,891 per year.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
In Altus, Oklahoma, the projected school counselor hourly pay for 2026 is $25.55, which is significantly lower than the national median of $30.93. This difference highlights the economic landscape for school counselors in Oklahoma, indicating that professionals may face challenges in maximizing their earning potential compared to their peers in other regions. For those working part-time, such as a counselor employed three days a week, the hourly rate can translate into variable earnings based on their schedule and responsibilities, whether they are leading elementary classroom guidance lessons, facilitating middle school small group sessions, providing individual counseling in high schools, or assisting in college counseling resource rooms. The hourly range for counselors in Altus varies widely, with entry-level positions starting around $18.38 and experienced counselors earning hourly rates as high as $39.60.
About the Altus Market
Salary estimated from Oklahoma average ($56,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
School Counselor Hourly Wage Breakdown
| Percentile | Hourly Rate | Per 8hr Shift |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $18.38 | $147.03 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $20.36 | $162.87 |
| Median (P50) | $25.55 | $204.43 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $31.21 | $249.66 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $39.60 | $316.76 |
Estimated Annual Income by Work Schedule in Altus
Based on $25.55/hr median hourly rate · 2026 est.
At $25.55/hr, a school counselor working full-time (40 hr/wk) in Altus, OK can expect to earn approximately $53,151 per year (2026 est.). Part-time hygienists working 24 hours per week would earn around $30,664. With a cost-of-living index of 88.90 (below the national average), these earnings stretch further in Altus.
Hourly Rate Calculator
Schedule Comparison in Altus
| Schedule | Weekly | Monthly | Annual |
|---|---|---|---|
| Full-Time (40 hrs) | $1,022.13 | $4,429 | $53,151 |
| Part-Time (24 hrs) | $613.28 | $2,658 | $31,891 |
| Per Diem (16 hrs) | $408.85 | $1,772 | $21,260 |
Compare SC, LSC Wages With Similar Roles
| Role | Median Hourly |
|---|---|
| School Counselor (Altus) | $25.55 |
| 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 Altus, OK earn a median of $53,140 per year (2026 est.), which is 17.40% lower than the national median of $64,335 and 5.20% below the Oklahoma state average of $56,055.
School Counselor Hourly Pay vs. Cost of Living
Working 24h/week at $25.55/hr = $31,891/year (purchasing power: $35,872).
Working 40h/week (full-time) = $53,151/year (purchasing power: $59,787).
CoL index: 88.9 (100 = national average). Your dollars stretch further here.
2019 BLS Actual
$22.20/hr
2025 BLS Actual
$25.04/hr
2026 Current Est.
$25.55/hr
2019–2027 Growth
+17.5%
Hourly Rate Trajectory for School Counselors in Altus (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 2.05% projection.
| Year | Hourly Rate | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $22.20/hr | Actual |
| 2020 | $22.62/hr | Actual |
| 2021 | $23.55/hr | Actual |
| 2022 | $23.41/hr | Actual |
| 2023 | $24.02/hr | Actual |
| 2024 | $22.69/hr | Actual |
| 2025 | $25.04/hr | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $25.55/hr | Estimated |
| 2027 | $26.08/hr | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, the median hourly rate for school counselors in Altus grew 12.8% from $22.20/hr (2019) to $25.04/hr (2025). At a 2.05% projected growth rate, hourly pay is expected to reach $26.08/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 Altus 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 Altus
Examining the compensation trends further reveals a unique perspective for school counselors weighing part-time versus full-time positions. A school counselor working three days a week could potentially earn around $31,200 annually, considerably less than full-time counterparts who may exceed $53,140. The reality for per-diem or agency counselors can vary dramatically; in higher-cost markets, direct-pay college counselors charge $150 to $400 per hour, suggesting that Altus school counselors may be under-compensated in comparison to their per-diem peers. Positions within K-12 public schools, private institutions, or DoDEA schools create distinct pay structures that affect hourly rates, with public districts operating on traditional step-and-lane systems. While this can offer benefits such as health insurance, some may find themselves accepting lower hourly rates instead of pursuing higher-paying roles without benefits. School counselors in Altus must be savvy negotiators, understanding the unique value they bring and articulating their worth in a market where hourly compensation varies widely.
More salary data for Altus, OK:
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 Altus. 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 Altus 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