School Counselor Hourly Pay in Lancaster, PA: $28.95 (2026)
Quick Answer:Hourly pay for a school counselor working in Lancaster, PA runs $28.95 at the median for 2026 — annualizing to $60,226 at a standard 2,080-hour year. Figures projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 21-1012). Weighted against Lancaster's regional price level (BEA RPP 98.3, 2% below national), each hour of work buys what $29.47 nationally would. A 24-hour part-time schedule grosses $36,132 per year.
Official BLS data · View source
In Lancaster, Pennsylvania, the school counselor hourly rate stands at $28.95, which is slightly lower than the national median of $30.93. This rate reflects the financial realities of part-time and per-diem workers, including those who may work as elementary classroom guidance facilitators, middle school small group counselors, high school individual advisors, or college counseling resource providers. For counselors dedicating three days a week to these roles, the hourly pay allows them to balance their professional responsibilities while potentially pursuing other interests or commitments. Within the local job market, the hourly range varies significantly; entry-level positions typically start around $21.91, while top earners can earn as much as $46.89 per hour, reflecting diverse experience levels and educational backgrounds within the Lancaster area. This information is based on 2025 BLS OEWS data, projected to 2026.
School Counselor Hourly Wage Breakdown
| Percentile | Hourly Rate | Per 8hr Shift |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $21.91 | $175.28 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $23.66 | $189.24 |
| Median (P50) | $28.95 | $231.61 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $39.80 | $318.40 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $46.89 | $375.14 |
Estimated Annual Income by Work Schedule in Lancaster
Based on $28.95/hr median hourly rate · 2026 est.
At $28.95/hr, a school counselor working full-time (40 hr/wk) in Lancaster, PA can expect to earn approximately $60,219 per year (2026 est.). Part-time hygienists working 24 hours per week would earn around $34,742. With a cost-of-living index of 98.26 (below the national average), these earnings stretch further in Lancaster.
Hourly Rate Calculator
Schedule Comparison in Lancaster
| Schedule | Weekly | Monthly | Annual |
|---|---|---|---|
| Full-Time (40 hrs) | $1,158.06 | $5,018 | $60,219 |
| Part-Time (24 hrs) | $694.84 | $3,011 | $36,132 |
| Per Diem (16 hrs) | $463.23 | $2,007 | $24,088 |
Compare SC, LSC Wages With Similar Roles
| Role | Median Hourly |
|---|---|
| School Counselor (Lancaster) | $28.95 |
| 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 Lancaster, PA earn a median of $60,226 per year (2026 est.), which is 6.39% lower than the national median of $64,335 and 1.60% below the Pennsylvania state average of $61,205.
School Counselor Hourly Pay vs. Cost of Living
Working 24h/week at $28.95/hr = $36,132/year (purchasing power: $36,773).
Working 40h/week (full-time) = $60,219/year (purchasing power: $61,288).
CoL index: 98.257 (100 = national average). Your dollars stretch further here.
2019 BLS Actual
$35.32/hr
2025 BLS Actual
$28.37/hr
2026 Current Est.
$28.95/hr
2019–2027 Growth
+-16.4%
Hourly Rate Trajectory for School Counselors in Lancaster (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 2.05% projection.
| Year | Hourly Rate | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $35.32/hr | Actual |
| 2020 | $34.86/hr | Actual |
| 2021 | $35.44/hr | Actual |
| 2022 | $33.50/hr | Actual |
| 2023 | $35.59/hr | Actual |
| 2024 | $32.70/hr | Actual |
| 2025 | $28.37/hr | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $28.95/hr | Estimated |
| 2027 | $29.55/hr | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, the median hourly rate for school counselors in Lancaster grew -19.7% from $35.32/hr (2019) to $28.37/hr (2025). At a 2.05% projected growth rate, hourly pay is expected to reach $29.55/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 Lancaster 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 Lancaster
For those contemplating a part-time school counseling career, the financial implications are worth considering. A school counselor working only three days a week, approximately 24 hours, would bring home less than their full-time counterparts. The per diem school counselor pay in Lancaster could offer a lucrative alternative, especially considering that private college counselors often charge between $150 and $400 per hour for specialized services. This flexibility can be appealing, especially when summer counseling roles can add an extra $5,000 to $15,000 to annual earnings. Hourly compensation can vary based on the type of institution: K-12 public schools, charter schools, and private institutions each have different pay scales influenced by state funding and school budgets. While some counselors may opt for a lower hourly rate within educational settings for benefits like health insurance, others might pursue higher hourly wages in private positions without such benefits. Negotiating pay effectively, understanding the unique landscape of education and mental health funding, and leveraging comprehensive salary structures will be crucial for any professional in this field as they consider their next career move in Lancaster, PA.
More salary data for Lancaster, PA:
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the hourly rate for school counselors in Lancaster in 2026?
How much do part-time school counselors make in Lancaster?
Are school counselors in Lancaster paid hourly or salary?
How much does a full-time school counselor make per year in Lancaster?
Do school counselors earn more per hour working part-time in Lancaster?
Related Pages
Compare Salaries
Career Resources
Nearby Cities in Pennsylvania
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 Lancaster. 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