School Counselor Hourly Pay in Pittsburgh, PA: $28.65 (2026)
Quick Answer:Hourly pay for a school counselor working in Pittsburgh, PA runs $28.65 at the median for 2026 — annualizing to $59,566 at a standard 2,080-hour year. Figures projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 21-1012). Weighted against Pittsburgh's regional price level (BEA RPP 94.7, 5% below national), each hour of work buys what $30.26 nationally would. A 24-hour part-time schedule grosses $35,750 per year.
Official BLS data · View source
In 2026, the school counselor hourly pay in Pittsburgh is projected to be $28.65, which is lower than the national median of $30.93. This rate reflects the earning potential for jobs in various educational settings, including K-12 schools and colleges, where counselors can engage with students as they navigate academic and personal challenges. For part-time workers – such as those balancing three-day work weeks – their earnings can be calculated based on a set number of hours that might include classroom guidance lessons, small group counseling, or even crisis response coordination. With an hourly range from $21.60 for entry-level positions to $48.99 for experienced professionals, the financial landscape offers varying opportunities depending on education, experience, and the specific sector of employment.
School Counselor Hourly Wage Breakdown
| Percentile | Hourly Rate | Per 8hr Shift |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $21.60 | $172.83 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $23.39 | $187.12 |
| Median (P50) | $28.65 | $229.16 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $36.31 | $290.48 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $48.99 | $391.95 |
Estimated Annual Income by Work Schedule in Pittsburgh
Based on $28.65/hr median hourly rate · 2026 est.
At $28.65/hr, a school counselor working full-time (40 hr/wk) in Pittsburgh, PA can expect to earn approximately $59,583 per year (2026 est.). Part-time hygienists working 24 hours per week would earn around $34,375. With a cost-of-living index of 94.67 (below the national average), these earnings stretch further in Pittsburgh.
Hourly Rate Calculator
Schedule Comparison in Pittsburgh
| Schedule | Weekly | Monthly | Annual |
|---|---|---|---|
| Full-Time (40 hrs) | $1,145.82 | $4,965 | $59,583 |
| Part-Time (24 hrs) | $687.49 | $2,979 | $35,750 |
| Per Diem (16 hrs) | $458.33 | $1,986 | $23,833 |
Compare SC, LSC Wages With Similar Roles
| Role | Median Hourly |
|---|---|
| School Counselor (Pittsburgh) | $28.65 |
| 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 Pittsburgh, PA earn a median of $59,566 per year (2026 est.), which is 7.41% lower than the national median of $64,335 and 2.70% below the Pennsylvania state average of $61,218.
School Counselor Hourly Pay vs. Cost of Living
Working 24h/week at $28.65/hr = $35,750/year (purchasing power: $37,762).
Working 40h/week (full-time) = $59,583/year (purchasing power: $62,936).
CoL index: 94.671 (100 = national average). Your dollars stretch further here.
2019 BLS Actual
$28.81/hr
2025 BLS Actual
$28.07/hr
2026 Current Est.
$28.65/hr
2019–2027 Growth
+1.5%
Hourly Rate Trajectory for School Counselors in Pittsburgh (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 2.05% projection.
| Year | Hourly Rate | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $28.81/hr | Actual |
| 2020 | $30.10/hr | Actual |
| 2021 | $30.04/hr | Actual |
| 2022 | $29.95/hr | Actual |
| 2023 | $31.35/hr | Actual |
| 2024 | $28.98/hr | Actual |
| 2025 | $28.07/hr | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $28.65/hr | Estimated |
| 2027 | $29.23/hr | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, the median hourly rate for school counselors in Pittsburgh grew -2.6% from $28.81/hr (2019) to $28.07/hr (2025). At a 2.05% projected growth rate, hourly pay is expected to reach $29.23/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 Pittsburgh 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 Pittsburgh
Exploring the part-time potential, school counselors working 24 hours per week may earn significantly less than their full-time counterparts, potentially impacting their overall financial stability. Per diem school counselor pay in Pittsburgh reveals a broader scope, with private college counselors charging between $150 to $400 per hour for specialized services like college admissions consulting, showing stark contrasts in profit margins across different roles. Employment in varied settings further influences hourly rates; for example, K-12 public schools tend to follow structured salary bands akin to teaching positions, while private institutions and DoDEA schools may offer more competitive compensation. Counselors often face choices between slightly lower pay with health benefits in public sectors versus higher rates without benefits in agency or independent roles. Negotiation strategies can play a pivotal role, especially for hourly workers in Pittsburgh, where understanding the local market and articulating the value of their expertise can significantly impact potential earnings.
More salary data for Pittsburgh, PA:
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 Pittsburgh. 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