School Counselor Hourly Pay in Rock Hill, SC: $29.22 (2026)
Quick Answer:Hourly pay for a school counselor working in Rock Hill, SC runs $29.22 at the median for 2026 — annualizing to $60,766 at a standard 2,080-hour year. Figures projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 21-1012). Weighted against Rock Hill's regional price level (BEA RPP 91.5, 8% below national), each hour of work buys what $31.93 nationally would. A 24-hour part-time schedule grosses $36,463 per year.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
In Rock Hill, South Carolina, the projected school counselor hourly pay for 2026 stands at $29.22, slightly below the national median of $30.93. This rate provides a reasonable standard for various work arrangements, particularly for counselors working part-time or on a per-diem basis. For instance, part-time counselors who work three days a week may earn around $28,000 annually, while per-diem counselors could see a significant increase in their earnings when working in high-demand environments like crisis response or college admissions consulting. The hourly range for school counselors in Rock Hill spans from $19.54 for entry-level positions (P10) to $45.28 for highly experienced professionals (P90), suggesting that there's potential for growth and increased compensation with experience and specialization.
About the Rock Hill Market
Salary estimated from South Carolina average ($58,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
School Counselor Hourly Wage Breakdown
| Percentile | Hourly Rate | Per 8hr Shift |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $19.54 | $156.34 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $23.59 | $188.75 |
| Median (P50) | $29.22 | $233.74 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $37.39 | $299.13 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $45.28 | $362.24 |
Estimated Annual Income by Work Schedule in Rock Hill
Based on $29.22/hr median hourly rate · 2026 est.
At $29.22/hr, a school counselor working full-time (40 hr/wk) in Rock Hill, SC can expect to earn approximately $60,771 per year (2026 est.). Part-time hygienists working 24 hours per week would earn around $35,060. With a cost-of-living index of 91.50 (below the national average), these earnings stretch further in Rock Hill.
Hourly Rate Calculator
Schedule Comparison in Rock Hill
| Schedule | Weekly | Monthly | Annual |
|---|---|---|---|
| Full-Time (40 hrs) | $1,168.68 | $5,064 | $60,771 |
| Part-Time (24 hrs) | $701.21 | $3,039 | $36,463 |
| Per Diem (16 hrs) | $467.47 | $2,026 | $24,308 |
Compare SC, LSC Wages With Similar Roles
| Role | Median Hourly |
|---|---|
| School Counselor (Rock Hill) | $29.22 |
| 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 Rock Hill, SC earn a median of $60,766 per year (2026 est.), which is 5.55% lower than the national median of $64,335 and 0.40% below the South Carolina state average of $61,010.
School Counselor Hourly Pay vs. Cost of Living
Working 24h/week at $29.22/hr = $36,463/year (purchasing power: $39,850).
Working 40h/week (full-time) = $60,771/year (purchasing power: $66,417).
CoL index: 91.5 (100 = national average). Your dollars stretch further here.
2019 BLS Actual
$25.39/hr
2025 BLS Actual
$28.63/hr
2026 Current Est.
$29.22/hr
2019–2027 Growth
+17.5%
Hourly Rate Trajectory for School Counselors in Rock Hill (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 2.05% projection.
| Year | Hourly Rate | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $25.39/hr | Actual |
| 2020 | $25.87/hr | Actual |
| 2021 | $26.93/hr | Actual |
| 2022 | $26.77/hr | Actual |
| 2023 | $27.46/hr | Actual |
| 2024 | $25.41/hr | Actual |
| 2025 | $28.63/hr | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $29.22/hr | Estimated |
| 2027 | $29.82/hr | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, the median hourly rate for school counselors in Rock Hill grew 12.8% from $25.39/hr (2019) to $28.63/hr (2025). At a 2.05% projected growth rate, hourly pay is expected to reach $29.82/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 Rock Hill 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 Rock Hill
Analyzing the earning potential further reveals nuanced opportunities for school counselors in Rock Hill. Working part-time for 24 hours a week, a counselor might earn approximately $28,000, which contrasts sharply with the salary associated with full-time positions. Additionally, per-diem roles often command higher rates in specialty market segments, where private college counselors may charge between $150-$400 per hour for their expertise in a high-cost living area. Furthermore, the type of employer significantly influences hourly expectations, with K-12 public school districts typically offering lower rates while private schools or specialized mental health roles present higher earnings potential. Counselors often face the decision of accepting lower hourly wages for the benefits offered in full-time roles versus higher hourly rates without benefits in part-time or consulting positions. Negotiation tips for part-time workers might include emphasizing specializations or exploring roles in high-demand areas like mental health support, particularly given the expansion of funding for counselors in the wake of the post-COVID mental health crisis.
More salary data for Rock Hill, SC:
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 Rock Hill. 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 Rock Hill 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