School Counselor Hourly Pay in Jackson, TN: $26.65 (2026)
Quick Answer:Hourly pay for a school counselor working in Jackson, TN runs $26.65 at the median for 2026 — annualizing to $55,405 at a standard 2,080-hour year. Figures projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 21-1012). Weighted against Jackson's regional price level (BEA RPP 85.5, 14% below national), each hour of work buys what $31.16 nationally would. A 24-hour part-time schedule grosses $33,253 per year.
Official BLS data · View source
In Jackson, Tennessee, the school counselor hourly pay is projected to reach a median of $26.65 in 2026, which stands lower than the national median hourly rate of $30.93. This difference highlights the economic landscape in Jackson, where professionals in educational settings such as elementary guidance lessons and high school counseling offices are often working within tighter budgets. For counselors working part-time, say three days a week, the hourly pay structure can fluctuate significantly. Entry-level counselors may start at approximately $17.53 an hour, while experienced professionals can reach the higher end of the spectrum, earning around $33.81 per hour. The wide range provided by the Bureau of Labor Statistics indicates various opportunities, from entry positions to more seasoned roles, shaping the overall dynamics of school counseling in the region.
School Counselor Hourly Wage Breakdown
| Percentile | Hourly Rate | Per 8hr Shift |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $17.53 | $140.26 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $20.76 | $166.06 |
| Median (P50) | $26.65 | $213.16 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $33.55 | $268.43 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $33.81 | $270.47 |
Estimated Annual Income by Work Schedule in Jackson
Based on $26.65/hr median hourly rate · 2026 est.
At $26.65/hr, a school counselor working full-time (40 hr/wk) in Jackson, TN can expect to earn approximately $55,422 per year (2026 est.). Part-time hygienists working 24 hours per week would earn around $31,974. With a cost-of-living index of 85.52 (below the national average), these earnings stretch further in Jackson.
Hourly Rate Calculator
Schedule Comparison in Jackson
| Schedule | Weekly | Monthly | Annual |
|---|---|---|---|
| Full-Time (40 hrs) | $1,065.81 | $4,619 | $55,422 |
| Part-Time (24 hrs) | $639.49 | $2,771 | $33,253 |
| Per Diem (16 hrs) | $426.32 | $1,847 | $22,169 |
Compare SC, LSC Wages With Similar Roles
| Role | Median Hourly |
|---|---|
| School Counselor (Jackson) | $26.65 |
| 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 Jackson, TN earn a median of $55,405 per year (2026 est.), which is 13.88% lower than the national median of $64,335 and 6.90% below the Tennessee state average of $59,511.
School Counselor Hourly Pay vs. Cost of Living
Working 24h/week at $26.65/hr = $33,253/year (purchasing power: $38,883).
Working 40h/week (full-time) = $55,422/year (purchasing power: $64,805).
CoL index: 85.522 (100 = national average). Your dollars stretch further here.
2019 BLS Actual
$24.53/hr
2025 BLS Actual
$26.11/hr
2026 Current Est.
$26.65/hr
2019–2027 Growth
+10.8%
Hourly Rate Trajectory for School Counselors in Jackson (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 2.05% projection.
| Year | Hourly Rate | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $24.53/hr | Actual |
| 2020 | $23.07/hr | Actual |
| 2021 | $23.61/hr | Actual |
| 2022 | $25.39/hr | Actual |
| 2023 | $22.50/hr | Actual |
| 2024 | $24.24/hr | Actual |
| 2025 | $26.11/hr | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $26.65/hr | Estimated |
| 2027 | $27.19/hr | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, the median hourly rate for school counselors in Jackson grew 6.4% from $24.53/hr (2019) to $26.11/hr (2025). At a 2.05% projected growth rate, hourly pay is expected to reach $27.19/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 Jackson 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 Jackson
Looking deeper into the earning potential for part-time school counselors, someone working 24 hours a week would earn around $33,120 annually, substantially less than full-time counterparts. Per-diem school counselors engaged in private college admissions consulting can charge anywhere from $150 to $400 per hour, illustrating a stark contrast to the school counselor hourly rate in Jackson, TN. The range of employers, including K-12 districts, charter schools, and post-secondary institutions, also influences hourly rates. Counselors in public schools typically earn less but often have health benefits, while those in private sectors may enjoy higher hourly wages without benefits. Negotiating compensation is crucial; understanding local market trends and the value of benefits allows counselors to effectively advocate for their worth, especially in an area where mental health funding has expanded in response to post-COVID needs.
More salary data for Jackson, TN:
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 Jackson. 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