School Counselor Hourly Pay in Ponce, PR: $25.55 (2026)
Quick Answer:Hourly pay for a school counselor working in Ponce, PR runs $25.55 at the median for 2026 — annualizing to $53,145 at a standard 2,080-hour year. Figures projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 21-1012). Weighted against Puerto Rico's regional price level (BEA RPP 75.0, 25% below national), each hour of work buys what $34.07 nationally would. A 24-hour part-time schedule grosses $31,891 per year.
Official BLS data · View source
In Ponce, PR, the school counselor hourly pay stands at a median rate of $25.55, which is noticeably below the national median of $30.93. For those considering part-time roles—such as working three days a week—this rate translates into opportunities for working in various settings, including elementary classroom guidance, middle school small group counseling, and high school individual counseling sessions. Entry-level counselors can expect the lower end of the pay range at around $12.11 per hour, while more experienced professionals may earn as much as $36.82 per hour. These figures come from official Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) data, indicating that school counselors in Ponce face a diverse working environment, balancing multiple counseling responsibilities regardless of their specific employment setting.
School Counselor Hourly Wage Breakdown
| Percentile | Hourly Rate | Per 8hr Shift |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $12.11 | $96.91 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $16.38 | $131.03 |
| Median (P50) | $25.55 | $204.43 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $27.88 | $223.04 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $36.82 | $294.56 |
Estimated Annual Income by Work Schedule in Ponce
Based on $25.55/hr median hourly rate · 2026 est.
At $25.55/hr, a school counselor working full-time (40 hr/wk) in Ponce, PR can expect to earn approximately $53,151 per year (2026 est.). Part-time hygienists working 24 hours per week would earn around $30,664.
Hourly Rate Calculator
Schedule Comparison in Ponce
| Schedule | Weekly | Monthly | Annual |
|---|---|---|---|
| Full-Time (40 hrs) | $1,022.13 | $4,429 | $53,151 |
| Part-Time (24 hrs) | $613.28 | $2,658 | $31,891 |
| Per Diem (16 hrs) | $408.85 | $1,772 | $21,260 |
Compare SC, LSC Wages With Similar Roles
| Role | Median Hourly |
|---|---|
| School Counselor (Ponce) | $25.55 |
| 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 Ponce, PR earn a median of $53,145 per year (2026 est.), which is 17.39% lower than the national median of $64,335.
2019 BLS Actual
$17.32/hr
2025 BLS Actual
$25.04/hr
2026 Current Est.
$25.55/hr
2019–2027 Growth
+50.6%
Hourly Rate Trajectory for School Counselors in Ponce (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 2.05% projection.
| Year | Hourly Rate | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $17.32/hr | Actual |
| 2020 | $15.05/hr | Actual |
| 2021 | $14.03/hr | Actual |
| 2022 | $14.42/hr | Actual |
| 2023 | $15.00/hr | Actual |
| 2024 | $24.56/hr | Actual |
| 2025 | $25.04/hr | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $25.55/hr | Estimated |
| 2027 | $26.08/hr | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, the median hourly rate for school counselors in Ponce grew 44.6% from $17.32/hr (2019) to $25.04/hr (2025). At a 2.05% projected growth rate, hourly pay is expected to reach $26.08/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 Ponce 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 Ponce
The earning potential for part-time counselors in Ponce can significantly differ when compared to full-time positions. For instance, working 24 hours weekly translates to an approximate annual income of around $31,338, a figure notably less than many full-time counterparts. Per diem school counselor pay in Ponce also illustrates the divergence in compensation within the profession; private sector consultants can charge upwards of $150 to $400 per hour for specialized services in high-cost living areas. Furthermore, factors such as institutional type heavily influence hourly rates, with K-12 public school counselors typically earning less than those in private institutions or post-secondary roles. The decision to accept a lower hourly wage often stems from the security of benefits like health insurance, contrasting with independent contractors who might prefer higher hourly compensation without these perks. For those navigating the job market, it's advisable to understand the local demand and be prepared to negotiate effectively based on qualifications and experience.
More salary data for Ponce, PR:
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 Ponce. 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