School Counselor Hourly Pay in Bend, OR: $39.43 (2026)
Quick Answer:Hourly pay for a school counselor working in Bend, OR runs $39.43 at the median for 2026 — annualizing to $82,028 at a standard 2,080-hour year. Figures projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 21-1012). Weighted against Bend's regional price level (BEA RPP 103.6, 4% above national), each hour of work buys what $38.06 nationally would. A 24-hour part-time schedule grosses $49,211 per year.
Official BLS data · View source
In Bend, Oregon, the school counselor hourly pay is projected at $39.43 for 2026, significantly higher than the national median of $30.93. This elevated rate reflects the increasing demand for counselors across various educational settings, including elementary schools, middle schools, high schools, and higher education institutions. For part-time roles, such as working three days a week, a counselor may expect to earn around $31,665 annually, depending on their hours and responsibilities. The hourly wage ranges from $29.15 at entry-level positions to as high as $61.55 for experienced counselors or those in specialized roles. This data is based on 2025 BLS OEWS data, projected to 2026, illustrating the competitive market for school counselors in Bend.
School Counselor Hourly Wage Breakdown
| Percentile | Hourly Rate | Per 8hr Shift |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $29.15 | $233.16 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $30.54 | $244.35 |
| Median (P50) | $39.43 | $315.46 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $50.38 | $403.06 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $61.55 | $492.37 |
Estimated Annual Income by Work Schedule in Bend
Based on $39.43/hr median hourly rate · 2026 est.
At $39.43/hr, a school counselor working full-time (40 hr/wk) in Bend, OR can expect to earn approximately $82,019 per year (2026 est.). Part-time hygienists working 24 hours per week would earn around $47,319. With a cost-of-living index of 103.61 (above the national average), these earnings may be offset by higher expenses in Bend.
Hourly Rate Calculator
Schedule Comparison in Bend
| Schedule | Weekly | Monthly | Annual |
|---|---|---|---|
| Full-Time (40 hrs) | $1,577.28 | $6,835 | $82,019 |
| Part-Time (24 hrs) | $946.37 | $4,101 | $49,211 |
| Per Diem (16 hrs) | $630.91 | $2,734 | $32,808 |
Compare SC, LSC Wages With Similar Roles
| Role | Median Hourly |
|---|---|
| School Counselor (Bend) | $39.43 |
| 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 Bend, OR earn a median of $82,028 per year (2026 est.), which is 27.50% higher than the national median of $64,335 and 11.40% above the Oregon state average of $73,634.
School Counselor Hourly Pay vs. Cost of Living
Working 24h/week at $39.43/hr = $49,211/year (purchasing power: $47,498).
Working 40h/week (full-time) = $82,019/year (purchasing power: $79,163).
CoL index: 103.607 (100 = national average).
2019 BLS Actual
$33.37/hr
2025 BLS Actual
$38.64/hr
2026 Current Est.
$39.43/hr
2019–2027 Growth
+20.6%
Hourly Rate Trajectory for School Counselors in Bend (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 2.05% projection.
| Year | Hourly Rate | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $33.37/hr | Actual |
| 2020 | $27.94/hr | Actual |
| 2021 | $29.73/hr | Actual |
| 2022 | $29.53/hr | Actual |
| 2023 | $33.07/hr | Actual |
| 2024 | $43.02/hr | Actual |
| 2025 | $38.64/hr | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $39.43/hr | Estimated |
| 2027 | $40.24/hr | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, the median hourly rate for school counselors in Bend grew 15.8% from $33.37/hr (2019) to $38.64/hr (2025). At a 2.05% projected growth rate, hourly pay is expected to reach $40.24/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 Bend 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 Bend
When considering part-time opportunities, it is essential to assess the overall earning potential versus full-time positions. A part-time school counselor working 24 hours a week may realize a steady income, but typically would miss out on benefits such as health insurance that full-time counselors often receive. Additionally, per diem roles can offer significant earnings in Bend, with private college counselors charging $150-$400 an hour for individual consultations, compared to the hourly rate for school counseling. Various employment settings in Bend, ranging from K-12 public schools to private institutions and DoDEA schools, may influence the financial compensation, as some schools align their pay closely with the teacher step-and-lane structure. A balance between securing a better hourly wage and access to benefits is a consideration many counselors must navigate. Engaging in salary negotiations requires understanding local market dynamics, particularly in a high cost-of-living area like Bend, OR, where educators’ compensation is influenced by funding policies and mental health initiatives following the COVID-19 pandemic.
More salary data for Bend, OR:
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 Bend. 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