School Counselor Hourly Pay in Spartanburg, SC: $29.80 (2026)
Quick Answer:Hourly pay for a school counselor working in Spartanburg, SC runs $29.80 at the median for 2026 — annualizing to $61,985 at a standard 2,080-hour year. Figures projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 21-1012). Weighted against Spartanburg's regional price level (BEA RPP 91.1, 9% below national), each hour of work buys what $32.73 nationally would. A 24-hour part-time schedule grosses $37,189 per year.
Official BLS data · View source
In Spartanburg, South Carolina, the projected school counselor hourly pay for 2026 is set at $29.80, which is slightly below the national average of $30.93. This rate provides a stable income for both full-time and part-time counselors. For part-time counselors working three days a week, this translates to approximately $475 for a 24-hour week, allowing for flexible schedules that can accommodate other professional or personal responsibilities. On the lower end, entry-level counselors might earn around $19.94 per hour, while experienced professionals can command rates up to $38.01 per hour. Such hourly figures are vital for understanding the financial landscape of the profession, especially in various counseling settings, from elementary and middle school guidance programs to high school individual counseling offices and college advisement centers. These insights are derived from official BLS OEWS data, projected to 2026.
School Counselor Hourly Wage Breakdown
| Percentile | Hourly Rate | Per 8hr Shift |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $19.94 | $159.52 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $23.95 | $191.61 |
| Median (P50) | $29.80 | $238.39 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $35.04 | $280.35 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $38.01 | $304.11 |
Estimated Annual Income by Work Schedule in Spartanburg
Based on $29.80/hr median hourly rate · 2026 est.
At $29.80/hr, a school counselor working full-time (40 hr/wk) in Spartanburg, SC can expect to earn approximately $61,981 per year (2026 est.). Part-time hygienists working 24 hours per week would earn around $35,758. With a cost-of-living index of 91.05 (below the national average), these earnings stretch further in Spartanburg.
Hourly Rate Calculator
Schedule Comparison in Spartanburg
| Schedule | Weekly | Monthly | Annual |
|---|---|---|---|
| Full-Time (40 hrs) | $1,191.94 | $5,165 | $61,981 |
| Part-Time (24 hrs) | $715.17 | $3,099 | $37,189 |
| Per Diem (16 hrs) | $476.78 | $2,066 | $24,792 |
Compare SC, LSC Wages With Similar Roles
| Role | Median Hourly |
|---|---|
| School Counselor (Spartanburg) | $29.80 |
| 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 Spartanburg, SC earn a median of $61,985 per year (2026 est.), which is 3.65% lower than the national median of $64,335 and 1.60% above the South Carolina state average of $61,009.
School Counselor Hourly Pay vs. Cost of Living
Working 24h/week at $29.80/hr = $37,189/year (purchasing power: $40,844).
Working 40h/week (full-time) = $61,981/year (purchasing power: $68,073).
CoL index: 91.051 (100 = national average). Your dollars stretch further here.
2019 BLS Actual
$23.55/hr
2025 BLS Actual
$29.20/hr
2026 Current Est.
$29.80/hr
2019–2027 Growth
+29.1%
Hourly Rate Trajectory for School Counselors in Spartanburg (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 2.05% projection.
| Year | Hourly Rate | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $23.55/hr | Actual |
| 2020 | $25.56/hr | Actual |
| 2021 | $23.13/hr | Actual |
| 2022 | $24.03/hr | Actual |
| 2023 | $26.67/hr | Actual |
| 2024 | $28.75/hr | Actual |
| 2025 | $29.20/hr | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $29.80/hr | Estimated |
| 2027 | $30.41/hr | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, the median hourly rate for school counselors in Spartanburg grew 24.0% from $23.55/hr (2019) to $29.20/hr (2025). At a 2.05% projected growth rate, hourly pay is expected to reach $30.41/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 Spartanburg 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 Spartanburg
Several factors influence part-time and per-diem school counselor pay in Spartanburg. For example, those working 24 hours a week would earn roughly $36,960 annually, significantly less than full-time counterparts. Many counselors supplement their income through per-diem work, especially during summer sessions or in private college counseling where rates can soar to between $150 and $400 per hour, particularly in higher-cost-of-living areas. The hourly rate can also fluctuate depending on the educational setting; K-12 public school districts might offer lower rates compared to private or parochial schools and specialized counseling positions. While full-time roles generally come with benefits like health insurance, some counselors may opt for part-time availability with higher hourly rates, strategically balancing pay and benefits. Negotiating salary in Spartanburg involves aligning individual skills with the needs of various employers, as many districts adhere to the traditional K-12 step-and-lane salary structure, which tends to standardize pay across similar positions.
More salary data for Spartanburg, SC:
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the hourly rate for school counselors in Spartanburg 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 Spartanburg. 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