School Counselor Hourly Pay in Tulsa, OK: $25.80 (2026)
Quick Answer:Hourly pay for a school counselor working in Tulsa, OK runs $25.80 at the median for 2026 — annualizing to $53,665 at a standard 2,080-hour year. Figures projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 21-1012). Weighted against Tulsa's regional price level (BEA RPP 89.2, 11% below national), each hour of work buys what $28.92 nationally would. A 24-hour part-time schedule grosses $32,196 per year.
Official BLS data · View source
For school counselors in Tulsa, Oklahoma, the projected hourly pay in 2026 is $25.80, which is significantly below the national median of $30.93. This discrepancy highlights the local market conditions and offers insight into the earning potential for various employment arrangements. Counselors employed part-time, such as those working three days a week, can expect a steady income focused on elementary classroom guidance, middle school small group counseling, or high school individual sessions. The hourly wage ranges from $20.96 for entry-level positions to $37.11 for the most experienced counselors, reflecting a broad spectrum of expertise within the profession. These figures are drawn from data based on 2025 BLS OEWS projections and provide a realistic framework for understanding the local compensation landscape.
School Counselor Hourly Wage Breakdown
| Percentile | Hourly Rate | Per 8hr Shift |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $20.96 | $167.69 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $22.71 | $181.65 |
| Median (P50) | $25.80 | $206.39 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $30.76 | $246.06 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $37.11 | $296.84 |
Estimated Annual Income by Work Schedule in Tulsa
Based on $25.80/hr median hourly rate · 2026 est.
At $25.80/hr, a school counselor working full-time (40 hr/wk) in Tulsa, OK can expect to earn approximately $53,660 per year (2026 est.). Part-time hygienists working 24 hours per week would earn around $30,958. With a cost-of-living index of 89.21 (below the national average), these earnings stretch further in Tulsa.
Hourly Rate Calculator
Schedule Comparison in Tulsa
| Schedule | Weekly | Monthly | Annual |
|---|---|---|---|
| Full-Time (40 hrs) | $1,031.93 | $4,472 | $53,660 |
| Part-Time (24 hrs) | $619.16 | $2,683 | $32,196 |
| Per Diem (16 hrs) | $412.77 | $1,789 | $21,464 |
Compare SC, LSC Wages With Similar Roles
| Role | Median Hourly |
|---|---|
| School Counselor (Tulsa) | $25.80 |
| 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 Tulsa, OK earn a median of $53,665 per year (2026 est.), which is 16.59% lower than the national median of $64,335 and 4.30% below the Oklahoma state average of $56,076.
School Counselor Hourly Pay vs. Cost of Living
Working 24h/week at $25.80/hr = $32,196/year (purchasing power: $36,089).
Working 40h/week (full-time) = $53,660/year (purchasing power: $60,148).
CoL index: 89.214 (100 = national average). Your dollars stretch further here.
2019 BLS Actual
$21.91/hr
2025 BLS Actual
$25.28/hr
2026 Current Est.
$25.80/hr
2019–2027 Growth
+20.2%
Hourly Rate Trajectory for School Counselors in Tulsa (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 2.05% projection.
| Year | Hourly Rate | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $21.91/hr | Actual |
| 2020 | $22.85/hr | Actual |
| 2021 | $28.84/hr | Actual |
| 2022 | $25.32/hr | Actual |
| 2023 | $24.90/hr | Actual |
| 2024 | $26.83/hr | Actual |
| 2025 | $25.28/hr | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $25.80/hr | Estimated |
| 2027 | $26.33/hr | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, the median hourly rate for school counselors in Tulsa grew 15.4% from $21.91/hr (2019) to $25.28/hr (2025). At a 2.05% projected growth rate, hourly pay is expected to reach $26.33/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 Tulsa 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 Tulsa
Analyzing the earning potential for school counselors in Tulsa reveals various opportunities and challenges depending on their employment status. For instance, a counselor working part-time at 24 hours per week would take home approximately $32,256 annually, compared to a full-time position's typical earnings. Those exploring per diem opportunities face varied compensation structures; private college counselors in high-cost markets can charge as much as $400 an hour for specialized consulting, creating stark contrasts in earning possibilities. Different educational settings impact hourly rates as well; counselors in K-12 public schools usually adhere to the standard step-and-lane pay structure, while those in charter schools, private institutions, or post-secondary roles might find more flexibility. Some counselors choose to accept lower hourly rates to access critical benefits like health insurance, signifying a common trade-off in the profession. When negotiating compensation in Tulsa, it can be beneficial to highlight specialization and experience, especially given the recent funding increases for mental health resources in schools following the COVID-19 pandemic.
More salary data for Tulsa, OK:
Frequently Asked Questions
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Related Pages
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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 Tulsa. 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