School Counselor Hourly Pay in Abilene, TX: $27.88 (2026)
Quick Answer:Hourly pay for a school counselor working in Abilene, TX runs $27.88 at the median for 2026 — annualizing to $58,005 at a standard 2,080-hour year. Figures projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 21-1012). Weighted against Abilene's regional price level (BEA RPP 90.4, 10% below national), each hour of work buys what $30.85 nationally would. A 24-hour part-time schedule grosses $34,794 per year.
Official BLS data · View source
In Abilene, TX, the projected median hourly rate for school counselors is $27.88, which is noticeably lower than the national median of $30.93. For those considering part-time work, such as a schedule of three days a week, this could translate to a manageable income suitable for supplemental work in various educational environments, including elementary classroom guidance, middle school group sessions, and high school counseling. The hourly pay range for school counselors in Abilene starts at $18.92 for entry-level positions and can reach up to $38.29 for the top earners according to projections based on 2025 BLS OEWS data. This data highlights the earnings potential for both full-time and per-diem school counselor roles, which are critical in responding to the mental health needs of students after the challenges faced during the COVID-19 pandemic.
School Counselor Hourly Wage Breakdown
| Percentile | Hourly Rate | Per 8hr Shift |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $18.92 | $151.36 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $20.61 | $164.91 |
| Median (P50) | $27.88 | $223.04 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $32.68 | $261.41 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $38.29 | $306.31 |
Estimated Annual Income by Work Schedule in Abilene
Based on $27.88/hr median hourly rate · 2026 est.
At $27.88/hr, a school counselor working full-time (40 hr/wk) in Abilene, TX can expect to earn approximately $57,991 per year (2026 est.). Part-time hygienists working 24 hours per week would earn around $33,456. With a cost-of-living index of 90.36 (below the national average), these earnings stretch further in Abilene.
Hourly Rate Calculator
Schedule Comparison in Abilene
| Schedule | Weekly | Monthly | Annual |
|---|---|---|---|
| Full-Time (40 hrs) | $1,115.20 | $4,833 | $57,991 |
| Part-Time (24 hrs) | $669.12 | $2,900 | $34,794 |
| Per Diem (16 hrs) | $446.08 | $1,933 | $23,196 |
Compare SC, LSC Wages With Similar Roles
| Role | Median Hourly |
|---|---|
| School Counselor (Abilene) | $27.88 |
| 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 Abilene, TX earn a median of $58,005 per year (2026 est.), which is 9.84% lower than the national median of $64,335 and 13.40% below the Texas state average of $66,981.
School Counselor Hourly Pay vs. Cost of Living
Working 24h/week at $27.88/hr = $34,794/year (purchasing power: $38,505).
Working 40h/week (full-time) = $57,991/year (purchasing power: $64,174).
CoL index: 90.364 (100 = national average). Your dollars stretch further here.
2019 BLS Actual
$24.02/hr
2025 BLS Actual
$27.32/hr
2026 Current Est.
$27.88/hr
2019–2027 Growth
+18.4%
Hourly Rate Trajectory for School Counselors in Abilene (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 2.05% projection.
| Year | Hourly Rate | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $24.02/hr | Actual |
| 2020 | $25.70/hr | Actual |
| 2021 | $24.03/hr | Actual |
| 2022 | $23.84/hr | Actual |
| 2023 | $24.08/hr | Actual |
| 2024 | $25.76/hr | Actual |
| 2025 | $27.32/hr | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $27.88/hr | Estimated |
| 2027 | $28.45/hr | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, the median hourly rate for school counselors in Abilene grew 13.7% from $24.02/hr (2019) to $27.32/hr (2025). At a 2.05% projected growth rate, hourly pay is expected to reach $28.45/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 Abilene 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 Abilene
The earning potential for part-time school counselors who work 24 hours a week can be significantly less than those in full-time positions. For instance, a 3-day workweek at $27.88/hour provides annual earnings of about $43,690 before taxes, putting it below the threshold for many living costs in Abilene. On the other hand, per-diem school counselor pay in Abilene can vary, with private providers and consultants charging $150 to $400 hourly in higher-cost living areas, offering different financial incentives. Hourly rates can also change based on employer types, with K-12 public schools often following a structured pay scale while private and charter schools might offer more flexibility, albeit with fewer benefits. School counselors must weigh the trade-off between accepting lower hourly pay with benefits and pursuing higher pay rates without benefits. Making informed choices about negotiation can be crucial; those who seek roles in Abilene's public education system may need to consider how health insurance and retirement plans factor into their overall compensation.
More salary data for Abilene, TX:
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the hourly rate for school counselors in Abilene in 2026?
How much do part-time school counselors make in Abilene?
Are school counselors in Abilene paid hourly or salary?
How much does a full-time school counselor make per year in Abilene?
Do school counselors earn more per hour working part-time in Abilene?
Related Pages
Compare Salaries
Career Resources
Nearby Cities in Texas
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 Abilene. 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