School Counselor Hourly Pay in Chattanooga, TN: $27.25 (2026)
Quick Answer:Hourly pay for a school counselor working in Chattanooga, TN runs $27.25 at the median for 2026 — annualizing to $56,665 at a standard 2,080-hour year. Figures projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 21-1012). Weighted against Chattanooga's regional price level (BEA RPP 91.5, 9% below national), each hour of work buys what $29.79 nationally would. A 24-hour part-time schedule grosses $34,005 per year.
Official BLS data · View source
In Chattanooga, the school counselor hourly pay stands at $27.25, which is notably lower than the national median hourly rate of $30.93. This discrepancy could affect part-time counselors who work three days a week, particularly those engaged in settings such as elementary guidance lessons, middle school small group sessions, and individual counseling in high schools. For those taking on per-diem work, it is essential to recognize that the hourly rate can significantly impact their financial stability. With a range spanning from $17.08 at entry-level positions to $41.53 for top earners, the variability of hourly pay allows for different opportunities based on experience and specialty. According to 2026 estimates based on 2025 BLS data, several factors such as district budgets and school type can influence these rates in the varied educational landscape of Chattanooga.
School Counselor Hourly Wage Breakdown
| Percentile | Hourly Rate | Per 8hr Shift |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $17.08 | $136.67 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $21.78 | $174.22 |
| Median (P50) | $27.25 | $217.98 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $37.68 | $301.41 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $41.53 | $332.27 |
Estimated Annual Income by Work Schedule in Chattanooga
Based on $27.25/hr median hourly rate · 2026 est.
At $27.25/hr, a school counselor working full-time (40 hr/wk) in Chattanooga, TN can expect to earn approximately $56,674 per year (2026 est.). Part-time hygienists working 24 hours per week would earn around $32,697. With a cost-of-living index of 91.46 (below the national average), these earnings stretch further in Chattanooga.
Hourly Rate Calculator
Schedule Comparison in Chattanooga
| Schedule | Weekly | Monthly | Annual |
|---|---|---|---|
| Full-Time (40 hrs) | $1,089.89 | $4,723 | $56,674 |
| Part-Time (24 hrs) | $653.94 | $2,834 | $34,005 |
| Per Diem (16 hrs) | $435.96 | $1,889 | $22,670 |
Compare SC, LSC Wages With Similar Roles
| Role | Median Hourly |
|---|---|
| School Counselor (Chattanooga) | $27.25 |
| 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 Chattanooga, TN earn a median of $56,665 per year (2026 est.), which is 11.92% lower than the national median of $64,335 and 4.80% below the Tennessee state average of $59,522.
School Counselor Hourly Pay vs. Cost of Living
Working 24h/week at $27.25/hr = $34,005/year (purchasing power: $37,178).
Working 40h/week (full-time) = $56,674/year (purchasing power: $61,964).
CoL index: 91.464 (100 = national average). Your dollars stretch further here.
2019 BLS Actual
$24.17/hr
2025 BLS Actual
$26.70/hr
2026 Current Est.
$27.25/hr
2019–2027 Growth
+15.0%
Hourly Rate Trajectory for School Counselors in Chattanooga (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 2.05% projection.
| Year | Hourly Rate | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $24.17/hr | Actual |
| 2020 | $24.49/hr | Actual |
| 2021 | $23.33/hr | Actual |
| 2022 | $27.27/hr | Actual |
| 2023 | $24.38/hr | Actual |
| 2024 | $28.33/hr | Actual |
| 2025 | $26.70/hr | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $27.25/hr | Estimated |
| 2027 | $27.81/hr | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, the median hourly rate for school counselors in Chattanooga grew 10.5% from $24.17/hr (2019) to $26.70/hr (2025). At a 2.05% projected growth rate, hourly pay is expected to reach $27.81/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 Chattanooga 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 Chattanooga
When assessing the annual take-home income for a school counselor working part-time at 24 hours a week, the earnings will be considerably lower than those of full-time colleagues, potentially amounting to just under $34,000. Per diem school counselor pay in Chattanooga varies widely, with some private college counselors charging up to $400 per hour for specialized admissions consulting in high-cost living environments. Many counselors find that their pay varies significantly depending on the employer, ranging across K-12 public districts, charter and private schools, as well as post-secondary institutions. While the K-12 pay structure for school counselors often mirrors that of teachers and tends to follow step-and-lane models, the trade-off between choosing a higher hourly rate and securing benefits such as health insurance can complicate career decisions. Those entering negotiations in Chattanooga should focus on understanding the full compensation package and leverage local knowledge about the differing pay scales to advocate effectively for fair compensation.
More salary data for Chattanooga, TN:
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the hourly rate for school counselors in Chattanooga in 2026?
How much do part-time school counselors make in Chattanooga?
Are school counselors in Chattanooga paid hourly or salary?
How much does a full-time school counselor make per year in Chattanooga?
Do school counselors earn more per hour working part-time in Chattanooga?
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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 Chattanooga. 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