School Counselor Hourly Pay in Forest Grove, OR: $34.57 (2026)
Quick Answer:Hourly pay for a school counselor working in Forest Grove, OR runs $34.57 at the median for 2026 — annualizing to $71,913 at a standard 2,080-hour year. Figures projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 21-1012). Weighted against Forest Grove's regional price level (BEA RPP 102.6, 3% above national), each hour of work buys what $33.70 nationally would. A 24-hour part-time schedule grosses $43,149 per year.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
School counselors in Forest Grove, Oregon, earn a median hourly rate of $34.57, which surpasses the national hourly median of $30.93 by a notable margin. This competitive rate can be particularly advantageous for part-time and per-diem workers, who often engage in roles such as guiding elementary students, facilitating middle school group counseling, or conducting individual sessions in high school counseling offices. With the hourly pay range reaching from $24.02 at the 10th percentile to as much as $53.59 at the 90th percentile, it shows a robust earning potential, especially for experienced counselors. These figures are projected for 2026 and derive from 2025 BLS data, providing valuable insights for those considering a career in school counseling in Forest Grove.
About the Forest Grove Market
Salary estimated from Oregon average ($74,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
School Counselor Hourly Wage Breakdown
| Percentile | Hourly Rate | Per 8hr Shift |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $24.02 | $192.18 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $27.03 | $216.26 |
| Median (P50) | $34.57 | $276.60 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $43.53 | $348.28 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $53.59 | $428.69 |
Estimated Annual Income by Work Schedule in Forest Grove
Based on $34.57/hr median hourly rate · 2026 est.
At $34.57/hr, a school counselor working full-time (40 hr/wk) in Forest Grove, OR can expect to earn approximately $71,915 per year (2026 est.). Part-time hygienists working 24 hours per week would earn around $41,489. With a cost-of-living index of 102.60 (above the national average), these earnings may be offset by higher expenses in Forest Grove.
Hourly Rate Calculator
Schedule Comparison in Forest Grove
| Schedule | Weekly | Monthly | Annual |
|---|---|---|---|
| Full-Time (40 hrs) | $1,382.98 | $5,993 | $71,915 |
| Part-Time (24 hrs) | $829.79 | $3,596 | $43,149 |
| Per Diem (16 hrs) | $553.19 | $2,397 | $28,766 |
Compare SC, LSC Wages With Similar Roles
| Role | Median Hourly |
|---|---|
| School Counselor (Forest Grove) | $34.57 |
| 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 Forest Grove, OR earn a median of $71,913 per year (2026 est.), which is 11.78% higher than the national median of $64,335 and 2.40% below the Oregon state average of $73,681.
School Counselor Hourly Pay vs. Cost of Living
Working 24h/week at $34.57/hr = $43,149/year (purchasing power: $42,056).
Working 40h/week (full-time) = $71,915/year (purchasing power: $70,093).
CoL index: 102.6 (100 = national average).
2019 BLS Actual
$30.04/hr
2025 BLS Actual
$33.88/hr
2026 Current Est.
$34.57/hr
2019–2027 Growth
+17.5%
Hourly Rate Trajectory for School Counselors in Forest Grove (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 2.05% projection.
| Year | Hourly Rate | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $30.04/hr | Actual |
| 2020 | $30.61/hr | Actual |
| 2021 | $31.87/hr | Actual |
| 2022 | $31.67/hr | Actual |
| 2023 | $32.50/hr | Actual |
| 2024 | $35.64/hr | Actual |
| 2025 | $33.88/hr | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $34.57/hr | Estimated |
| 2027 | $35.28/hr | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, the median hourly rate for school counselors in Forest Grove grew 12.8% from $30.04/hr (2019) to $33.88/hr (2025). At a 2.05% projected growth rate, hourly pay is expected to reach $35.28/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 Forest Grove 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 Forest Grove
When evaluating part-time opportunities, a school counselor working just three days a week could expect to take home an annual salary significantly lower than their full-time counterparts. Taking a hypothetical weekly schedule of around 24 hours, these professionals could still achieve a respectable income while enjoying a balanced lifestyle. In certain settings, particularly colleges or high-demand private institutions, per diem counselors can charge rates ranging from $150 to $400 per hour, a noteworthy contrast to employment in K-12 public schools. Moreover, extended school year sessions can enhance total earnings by an additional $5,000 to $15,000. It's essential to consider that while some school counselors may opt for lower hourly rates in exchange for benefits like health coverage, others might prioritize higher pay without additional perks. Counselors in Forest Grove should equip themselves with negotiation strategies tailored to their unique circumstances, whether they are pursuing traditional roles or freelance opportunities.
More salary data for Forest Grove, 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 Forest Grove. 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 Forest Grove 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