School Counselor Hourly Pay in Wilkes-Barre, PA: $28.97 (2026)
Quick Answer:Hourly pay for a school counselor working in Wilkes-Barre, PA runs $28.97 at the median for 2026 — annualizing to $60,256 at a standard 2,080-hour year. Figures projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 21-1012). Weighted against Wilkes-Barre's regional price level (BEA RPP 97.4, 3% below national), each hour of work buys what $29.75 nationally would. A 24-hour part-time schedule grosses $36,157 per year.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
In Wilkes-Barre, Pennsylvania, the projected school counselor hourly pay is set at $28.97, which is slightly below the national median of $30.93. This hourly rate is significant for those considering part-time positions or per-diem opportunities, as school counselors often provide guidance across various educational settings, including elementary classrooms and high school counseling offices. For part-time counselors working three days a week, this rate allows them to earn a stable income even with reduced hours. The hourly compensation ranges from $20.39 for entry-level positions to as much as $44.90 for experienced professionals. These figures indicate that while starting salaries may be modest, experienced counselors can achieve a comfortable hourly wage that reflects their expertise and dedication.
About the Wilkes-Barre Market
Salary estimated from Pennsylvania average ($70,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
School Counselor Hourly Wage Breakdown
| Percentile | Hourly Rate | Per 8hr Shift |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $20.39 | $163.12 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $22.93 | $183.45 |
| Median (P50) | $28.97 | $231.78 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $36.75 | $293.99 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $44.90 | $359.22 |
Estimated Annual Income by Work Schedule in Wilkes-Barre
Based on $28.97/hr median hourly rate · 2026 est.
At $28.97/hr, a school counselor working full-time (40 hr/wk) in Wilkes-Barre, PA can expect to earn approximately $60,262 per year (2026 est.). Part-time hygienists working 24 hours per week would earn around $34,766. With a cost-of-living index of 97.40 (below the national average), these earnings stretch further in Wilkes-Barre.
Hourly Rate Calculator
Schedule Comparison in Wilkes-Barre
| Schedule | Weekly | Monthly | Annual |
|---|---|---|---|
| Full-Time (40 hrs) | $1,158.88 | $5,022 | $60,262 |
| Part-Time (24 hrs) | $695.33 | $3,013 | $36,157 |
| Per Diem (16 hrs) | $463.55 | $2,009 | $24,105 |
Compare SC, LSC Wages With Similar Roles
| Role | Median Hourly |
|---|---|
| School Counselor (Wilkes-Barre) | $28.97 |
| 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 Wilkes-Barre, PA earn a median of $60,256 per year (2026 est.), which is 6.34% lower than the national median of $64,335 and 1.60% below the Pennsylvania state average of $61,236.
School Counselor Hourly Pay vs. Cost of Living
Working 24h/week at $28.97/hr = $36,157/year (purchasing power: $37,122).
Working 40h/week (full-time) = $60,262/year (purchasing power: $61,870).
CoL index: 97.4 (100 = national average). Your dollars stretch further here.
2019 BLS Actual
$25.17/hr
2025 BLS Actual
$28.39/hr
2026 Current Est.
$28.97/hr
2019–2027 Growth
+17.5%
Hourly Rate Trajectory for School Counselors in Wilkes-Barre (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 2.05% projection.
| Year | Hourly Rate | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $25.17/hr | Actual |
| 2020 | $25.65/hr | Actual |
| 2021 | $26.70/hr | Actual |
| 2022 | $26.54/hr | Actual |
| 2023 | $27.23/hr | Actual |
| 2024 | $32.26/hr | Actual |
| 2025 | $28.39/hr | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $28.97/hr | Estimated |
| 2027 | $29.57/hr | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, the median hourly rate for school counselors in Wilkes-Barre grew 12.8% from $25.17/hr (2019) to $28.39/hr (2025). At a 2.05% projected growth rate, hourly pay is expected to reach $29.57/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 Wilkes-Barre 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 Wilkes-Barre
In examining the earning potential for school counselors in Wilkes-Barre, it's evident that those opting for part-time work, such as a 24-hour week, may earn significantly less annually than their full-time counterparts. For instance, a part-time counselor’s annual income could be substantially lower than the more robust earnings from full-time roles, which can reach up to $93,397 at the high end. The landscape of per diem school counselor pay in Wilkes-Barre also varies, as private institutions frequently charge clients up to $400/hour for specialized services. This situation presents counselors with a choice: accept lower hourly rates at schools with benefits or pursue higher hourly pay without health insurance. In Wilkes-Barre, hourly compensation for school counselors can fluctuate based on employer types, where public school salaries often adhere to structured step-and-lane pay scales, while charter and private schools may offer different pay dynamics. Those negotiating hours should assess the total compensation package carefully, balancing pay against the benefit of health insurance and job security.
More salary data for Wilkes-Barre, PA:
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the hourly rate for school counselors in Wilkes-Barre in 2026?
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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 Wilkes-Barre. 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 Wilkes-Barre 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