School Counselor Hourly Pay in Happy Valley, OR: $33.68 (2026)
Quick Answer:Hourly pay for a school counselor working in Happy Valley, OR runs $33.68 at the median for 2026 — annualizing to $70,049 at a standard 2,080-hour year. Figures projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 21-1012). Weighted against Happy Valley's regional price level (BEA RPP 102.6, 3% above national), each hour of work buys what $32.82 nationally would. A 24-hour part-time schedule grosses $42,028 per year.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source

In Happy Valley, Oregon, school counselors earn a median hourly rate of $33.68, which is significantly higher than the national hourly median of $30.93. This competitive hourly pay allows for flexibility for part-time counselors working three days a week, typically conducting guidance lessons in elementary schools, middle school group sessions, or offering high school individual counseling. The hourly range for school counselors in this area spans from $24.41 for entry-level positions to as high as $52.20 for seasoned professionals. Such figures offer insights into potential earnings for those who may be interested in working on a per-diem basis, where part-time positions or contract roles may help offset living costs in a region with a cost of living index of 102.6.
About the Happy Valley 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) | $24.41 | $195.28 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $26.96 | $215.69 |
| Median (P50) | $33.68 | $269.41 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $41.26 | $330.07 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $52.20 | $417.59 |
Estimated Annual Income by Work Schedule in Happy Valley
Based on $33.68/hr median hourly rate · 2026 est.
At $33.68/hr, a school counselor working full-time (40 hr/wk) in Happy Valley, OR can expect to earn approximately $70,047 per year (2026 est.). Part-time hygienists working 24 hours per week would earn around $40,412. With a cost-of-living index of 102.60 (above the national average), these earnings may be offset by higher expenses in Happy Valley.
Hourly Rate Calculator
Schedule Comparison in Happy Valley
| Schedule | Weekly | Monthly | Annual |
|---|---|---|---|
| Full-Time (40 hrs) | $1,347.06 | $5,837 | $70,047 |
| Part-Time (24 hrs) | $808.24 | $3,502 | $42,028 |
| Per Diem (16 hrs) | $538.82 | $2,335 | $28,019 |
Compare SC, LSC Wages With Similar Roles
| Role | Median Hourly |
|---|---|
| School Counselor (Happy Valley) | $33.68 |
| 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 Happy Valley, OR earn a median of $70,049 per year (2026 est.), which is 8.88% higher than the national median of $64,335 and 4.90% below the Oregon state average of $73,658.
School Counselor Hourly Pay vs. Cost of Living
Working 24h/week at $33.68/hr = $42,028/year (purchasing power: $40,963).
Working 40h/week (full-time) = $70,047/year (purchasing power: $68,272).
CoL index: 102.6 (100 = national average).
2019 BLS Actual
$29.26/hr
2025 BLS Actual
$33.00/hr
2026 Current Est.
$33.68/hr
2019–2027 Growth
+17.5%
Hourly Rate Trajectory for School Counselors in Happy Valley (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 2.05% projection.
| Year | Hourly Rate | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $29.26/hr | Actual |
| 2020 | $29.81/hr | Actual |
| 2021 | $31.04/hr | Actual |
| 2022 | $30.85/hr | Actual |
| 2023 | $31.66/hr | Actual |
| 2024 | $34.71/hr | Actual |
| 2025 | $33.00/hr | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $33.68/hr | Estimated |
| 2027 | $34.37/hr | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, the median hourly rate for school counselors in Happy Valley grew 12.8% from $29.26/hr (2019) to $33.00/hr (2025). At a 2.05% projected growth rate, hourly pay is expected to reach $34.37/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 Happy Valley 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 Happy Valley
The earning potential for school counselors choosing part-time work, such as a 3-day work week totaling 24 hours, translates to a gross annual income that is considerably less than a full-time salary. While many take full-time roles to benefit from health insurance and stability, those working as per-diem counselors, especially in higher-cost areas, may charge between $150 to $400 per hour for specialized services such as college admissions advising. Hourly pay rates in Happy Valley can fluctuate depending on the employer, like K-12 public schools or private educational institutions, often reflecting the K-12 teacher salary structure. Counselors focused on specialized roles may opt for higher wages while forgoing benefits, while others in traditional positions find value in the security and perks offered by full-time employment. When negotiating pay, it's crucial to consider both salary and benefits carefully to determine the best fit for personal and professional aspirations.
More salary data for Happy Valley, 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 Happy Valley. 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 Happy Valley 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