School Counselor Hourly Pay in Central Falls, RI: $28.10 (2026)
Quick Answer:Hourly pay for a school counselor working in Central Falls, RI runs $28.10 at the median for 2026 — annualizing to $58,463 at a standard 2,080-hour year. Figures projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 21-1012). Weighted against Central Falls's regional price level (BEA RPP 100.5, 1% above national), each hour of work buys what $27.96 nationally would. A 24-hour part-time schedule grosses $35,075 per year.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
In Central Falls, school counselors earn a median hourly wage of $28.10, which is below the national median of $30.93 for similar positions. This hourly rate can significantly affect part-time counselors who typically work three days a week, as well as those in per-diem roles where flexibility is vital. For instance, a counselor working on a part-time schedule may find it challenging to meet their financial goals, given the competitive landscape of elementary and middle school counseling, individual sessions in high schools, and college counseling resource allocations. Moreover, the pay range for counselors varies deeply, with entry-level school counselors starting at around $21.35 per hour, while the most experienced can make as much as $42.76 per hour, indicating a healthy wage progression based on experience and specialization.
About the Central Falls Market
Salary estimated from Rhode Island average ($75,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
School Counselor Hourly Wage Breakdown
| Percentile | Hourly Rate | Per 8hr Shift |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $21.35 | $170.79 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $23.20 | $185.57 |
| Median (P50) | $28.10 | $224.84 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $35.06 | $280.52 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $42.76 | $342.07 |
Estimated Annual Income by Work Schedule in Central Falls
Based on $28.10/hr median hourly rate · 2026 est.
At $28.10/hr, a school counselor working full-time (40 hr/wk) in Central Falls, RI can expect to earn approximately $58,458 per year (2026 est.). Part-time hygienists working 24 hours per week would earn around $33,725. With a cost-of-living index of 100.50 (above the national average), these earnings may be offset by higher expenses in Central Falls.
Hourly Rate Calculator
Schedule Comparison in Central Falls
| Schedule | Weekly | Monthly | Annual |
|---|---|---|---|
| Full-Time (40 hrs) | $1,124.18 | $4,871 | $58,458 |
| Part-Time (24 hrs) | $674.51 | $2,923 | $35,075 |
| Per Diem (16 hrs) | $449.67 | $1,949 | $23,383 |
Compare SC, LSC Wages With Similar Roles
| Role | Median Hourly |
|---|---|
| School Counselor (Central Falls) | $28.10 |
| 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 Central Falls, RI earn a median of $58,463 per year (2026 est.), which is 9.13% lower than the national median of $64,335 and 7.70% below the Rhode Island state average of $63,341.
School Counselor Hourly Pay vs. Cost of Living
Working 24h/week at $28.10/hr = $35,075/year (purchasing power: $34,900).
Working 40h/week (full-time) = $58,458/year (purchasing power: $58,167).
CoL index: 100.5 (100 = national average).
2019 BLS Actual
$24.42/hr
2025 BLS Actual
$27.54/hr
2026 Current Est.
$28.10/hr
2019–2027 Growth
+17.5%
Hourly Rate Trajectory for School Counselors in Central Falls (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 2.05% projection.
| Year | Hourly Rate | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $24.42/hr | Actual |
| 2020 | $24.88/hr | Actual |
| 2021 | $25.90/hr | Actual |
| 2022 | $25.75/hr | Actual |
| 2023 | $26.42/hr | Actual |
| 2024 | $33.44/hr | Actual |
| 2025 | $27.54/hr | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $28.10/hr | Estimated |
| 2027 | $28.68/hr | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, the median hourly rate for school counselors in Central Falls grew 12.8% from $24.42/hr (2019) to $27.54/hr (2025). At a 2.05% projected growth rate, hourly pay is expected to reach $28.68/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 Central Falls 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 Central Falls
Examining the optionality of part-time roles reveals interesting earning dynamics. A part-time school counselor working 24 hours a week may anticipate an annual income that can be considerably less than their full-time counterparts yet could provide greater personal balance. For per diem school counseling roles, particularly in high-cost areas where professionals charge between $150 and $400 per hour for services like college admissions consulting, income potential can rise significantly, especially with summer programs adding an extra $5,000 to $15,000. Variability in hourly pay arises according to type of employment — K-12 public schools, charter institutions, and private schools offer different compensation rates aligned to their respective funding structures and benefits. Many counselors are willing to accept lower hourly rates in exchange for health benefits, which can create a nuanced decision-making environment. Practical negotiation skills become essential, particularly in Central Falls, where understanding the local job market and what it can offer is paramount for those looking to optimize their professional experience.
More salary data for Central Falls, RI:
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 Central Falls. 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 Central Falls 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