School Counselor Hourly Pay in Tahlequah, OK: $25.87 (2026)
Quick Answer:Hourly pay for a school counselor working in Tahlequah, OK runs $25.87 at the median for 2026 — annualizing to $53,806 at a standard 2,080-hour year. Figures projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 21-1012). Weighted against Tahlequah's regional price level (BEA RPP 88.9, 11% below national), each hour of work buys what $29.10 nationally would. A 24-hour part-time schedule grosses $32,285 per year.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
Tahlequah school counselors are projected to earn a median hourly pay of $25.87 in 2026. This figure is notably lower than the national hourly median of $30.93, reflecting regional economic conditions and the local cost of living index, which stands at 88.9—below the national average. For those in part-time positions, such as working three days a week, the median hourly rate translates to approximately $2,160 on a monthly basis, making it viable for those managing personal commitments or pursuing additional qualifications. Additionally, the hourly pay range spans from $19.20 at the entry-level to $38.85 for experienced counselors, illustrating a significant wage disparity within the profession. These numbers are derived from annual salary projections, which help paint a clearer picture for potential part-time or per-diem school counselor roles across various educational settings in Tahlequah, including elementary schools, middle schools, high schools, and college counseling environments.
About the Tahlequah 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) | $19.20 | $153.56 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $21.02 | $168.18 |
| Median (P50) | $25.87 | $206.96 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $32.50 | $260.02 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $38.85 | $310.80 |
Estimated Annual Income by Work Schedule in Tahlequah
Based on $25.87/hr median hourly rate · 2026 est.
At $25.87/hr, a school counselor working full-time (40 hr/wk) in Tahlequah, OK can expect to earn approximately $53,809 per year (2026 est.). Part-time hygienists working 24 hours per week would earn around $31,044. With a cost-of-living index of 88.90 (below the national average), these earnings stretch further in Tahlequah.
Hourly Rate Calculator
Schedule Comparison in Tahlequah
| Schedule | Weekly | Monthly | Annual |
|---|---|---|---|
| Full-Time (40 hrs) | $1,034.79 | $4,484 | $53,809 |
| Part-Time (24 hrs) | $620.87 | $2,690 | $32,285 |
| Per Diem (16 hrs) | $413.91 | $1,794 | $21,524 |
Compare SC, LSC Wages With Similar Roles
| Role | Median Hourly |
|---|---|
| School Counselor (Tahlequah) | $25.87 |
| 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 Tahlequah, OK earn a median of $53,806 per year (2026 est.), which is 16.37% lower than the national median of $64,335 and 4.00% below the Oklahoma state average of $56,048.
School Counselor Hourly Pay vs. Cost of Living
Working 24h/week at $25.87/hr = $32,285/year (purchasing power: $36,316).
Working 40h/week (full-time) = $53,809/year (purchasing power: $60,527).
CoL index: 88.9 (100 = national average). Your dollars stretch further here.
2019 BLS Actual
$22.48/hr
2025 BLS Actual
$25.35/hr
2026 Current Est.
$25.87/hr
2019–2027 Growth
+17.5%
Hourly Rate Trajectory for School Counselors in Tahlequah (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 2.05% projection.
| Year | Hourly Rate | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $22.48/hr | Actual |
| 2020 | $22.90/hr | Actual |
| 2021 | $23.84/hr | Actual |
| 2022 | $23.70/hr | Actual |
| 2023 | $24.32/hr | Actual |
| 2024 | $22.98/hr | Actual |
| 2025 | $25.35/hr | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $25.87/hr | Estimated |
| 2027 | $26.40/hr | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, the median hourly rate for school counselors in Tahlequah grew 12.8% from $22.48/hr (2019) to $25.35/hr (2025). At a 2.05% projected growth rate, hourly pay is expected to reach $26.40/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 Tahlequah 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 Tahlequah
When considering the earning potential of school counselors in Tahlequah, the part-time scenario is intriguing. A counselor working a 24-hour week could expect to take home around $38,075 annually. This approach allows more flexibility but results in reduced overall compensation compared to full-time roles. For those exploring the per-diem school counselor pay in Tahlequah, it’s worth noting that private college counselors in higher-cost markets can demand between $150 and $400 per hour for specialized consulting services, underscoring a disparity between K-12 and higher education earnings. Variations in pay also arise from employer types, as K-12 public school districts typically follow a structured pay scale akin to teachers, while charter and private institutions may offer more flexibility with salary negotiations. Some counselors choose to work in settings with lower hourly rates to receive health benefits, which can complicate the decision-making process regarding work environments. As counselors navigate the local job market, they should consider factors beyond hourly pay, such as benefits, job satisfaction, and potential growth opportunities, while also preparing to negotiate effectively with local educational institutions.
More salary data for Tahlequah, OK:
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the hourly rate for school counselors in Tahlequah in 2026?
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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 Tahlequah. 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 Tahlequah 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