School Counselor Hourly Pay in State College, PA: $27.37 (2026)
Quick Answer:Hourly pay for a school counselor working in State College, PA runs $27.37 at the median for 2026 — annualizing to $56,935 at a standard 2,080-hour year. Figures projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 21-1012). Weighted against State College's regional price level (BEA RPP 96.8, 3% below national), each hour of work buys what $28.29 nationally would. A 24-hour part-time schedule grosses $34,158 per year.
Official BLS data · View source
In State College, Pennsylvania, school counselors can expect to earn a median hourly rate of $27.37, which is notably lower than the national median of $30.93. This rate is indicative of the financial landscape for roles in various educational settings, including K-12 schools and colleges, where counselors engage in essential tasks such as classroom guidance lessons, small group counseling, and crisis response efforts. The hourly pay range for school counselors in State College extends from $22.75 at the entry-level (P10) to $37.79 for the most experienced professionals (P90), reflecting the experience and specialization often necessary to excel in these demanding positions. Such hourly rates are crucial for those working part-time or on a per-diem basis, as they navigate the financial aspects of their careers while fulfilling the vital needs of students.
School Counselor Hourly Wage Breakdown
| Percentile | Hourly Rate | Per 8hr Shift |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $22.75 | $181.98 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $27.37 | $218.96 |
| Median (P50) | $27.37 | $218.96 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $37.79 | $302.31 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $37.79 | $302.31 |
Estimated Annual Income by Work Schedule in State College
Based on $27.37/hr median hourly rate · 2026 est.
At $27.37/hr, a school counselor working full-time (40 hr/wk) in State College, PA can expect to earn approximately $56,929 per year (2026 est.). Part-time hygienists working 24 hours per week would earn around $32,844. With a cost-of-living index of 96.76 (below the national average), these earnings stretch further in State College.
Hourly Rate Calculator
Schedule Comparison in State College
| Schedule | Weekly | Monthly | Annual |
|---|---|---|---|
| Full-Time (40 hrs) | $1,094.79 | $4,744 | $56,929 |
| Part-Time (24 hrs) | $656.88 | $2,846 | $34,158 |
| Per Diem (16 hrs) | $437.92 | $1,898 | $22,772 |
Compare SC, LSC Wages With Similar Roles
| Role | Median Hourly |
|---|---|
| School Counselor (State College) | $27.37 |
| 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 State College, PA earn a median of $56,935 per year (2026 est.), which is 11.50% lower than the national median of $64,335 and 7.00% below the Pennsylvania state average of $61,220.
School Counselor Hourly Pay vs. Cost of Living
Working 24h/week at $27.37/hr = $34,158/year (purchasing power: $35,301).
Working 40h/week (full-time) = $56,929/year (purchasing power: $58,834).
CoL index: 96.762 (100 = national average). Your dollars stretch further here.
2019 BLS Actual
$28.80/hr
2025 BLS Actual
$26.82/hr
2026 Current Est.
$27.37/hr
2019–2027 Growth
+-3.0%
Hourly Rate Trajectory for School Counselors in State College (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 2.05% projection.
| Year | Hourly Rate | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $28.80/hr | Actual |
| 2020 | $29.83/hr | Actual |
| 2021 | $25.23/hr | Actual |
| 2022 | $28.82/hr | Actual |
| 2023 | $31.04/hr | Actual |
| 2024 | $33.21/hr | Actual |
| 2025 | $26.82/hr | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $27.37/hr | Estimated |
| 2027 | $27.93/hr | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, the median hourly rate for school counselors in State College grew -6.9% from $28.80/hr (2019) to $26.82/hr (2025). At a 2.05% projected growth rate, hourly pay is expected to reach $27.93/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 State College 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 State College
Examining the potential earnings for part-time school counselors working three days a week (approximately 24 hours) reveals stark contrasts with full-time colleagues. These part-time counselors can take home about $34,320 annually, significantly less than their full-time counterparts, who earn considerably more due to their greater hours. The market for per-diem school counselors in State College can be competitive, with private college counselors charging anywhere from $150 to $400 per hour for specialized consulting. Expanded summer counseling roles can yield an additional $5,000 to $15,000, providing a financial boost. It's important to note that hourly rates can vary widely across different employer types, including K-12 public and charter schools, private institutions, and post-secondary settings. Many counselors may choose to accept lower hourly rates in exchange for benefits like health insurance, while others may prefer higher hourly pay without benefits. For professionals negotiating their compensation, understanding the local market and the specific context of their role can be advantageous in achieving fair pay aligned with their skills and experience.
More salary data for State College, 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 State College. 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, 6-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