School Counselor Hourly Pay in Baytown, TX: $32.02 (2026)
Quick Answer:Hourly pay for a school counselor working in Baytown, TX runs $32.02 at the median for 2026 — annualizing to $66,618 at a standard 2,080-hour year. Figures projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 21-1012). Weighted against Baytown's regional price level (BEA RPP 96.0, 4% below national), each hour of work buys what $33.36 nationally would. A 24-hour part-time schedule grosses $39,965 per year.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
In Baytown, TX, the school counselor hourly pay stands at a median of $32.02, which exceeds the national median of $30.93. This hourly rate offers unique opportunities for part-time professionals and per-diem workers who may work in various educational settings, including elementary guidance lessons, small group counseling at the middle school level, high school individual counseling offices, and college resource rooms. For those just entering the field, hourly pay starts at about $21.50, while experienced counselors can earn up to $49.65 per hour. These figures are derived from annual salary projections and provide a flexible earning structure useful for part-time schedules, where working three days per week could create valuable time for additional pursuits or personal commitments.
About the Baytown Market
Salary estimated from Texas average ($66,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
School Counselor Hourly Wage Breakdown
| Percentile | Hourly Rate | Per 8hr Shift |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $21.50 | $172.02 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $24.60 | $196.83 |
| Median (P50) | $32.02 | $256.19 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $40.88 | $327.05 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $49.65 | $397.18 |
Estimated Annual Income by Work Schedule in Baytown
Based on $32.02/hr median hourly rate · 2026 est.
At $32.02/hr, a school counselor working full-time (40 hr/wk) in Baytown, TX can expect to earn approximately $66,608 per year (2026 est.). Part-time hygienists working 24 hours per week would earn around $38,428. With a cost-of-living index of 96.00 (below the national average), these earnings stretch further in Baytown.
Hourly Rate Calculator
Schedule Comparison in Baytown
| Schedule | Weekly | Monthly | Annual |
|---|---|---|---|
| Full-Time (40 hrs) | $1,280.93 | $5,551 | $66,608 |
| Part-Time (24 hrs) | $768.56 | $3,330 | $39,965 |
| Per Diem (16 hrs) | $512.37 | $2,220 | $26,643 |
Compare SC, LSC Wages With Similar Roles
| Role | Median Hourly |
|---|---|
| School Counselor (Baytown) | $32.02 |
| 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 Baytown, TX earn a median of $66,618 per year (2026 est.), which is 3.55% higher than the national median of $64,335 and 0.50% below the Texas state average of $66,953.
School Counselor Hourly Pay vs. Cost of Living
Working 24h/week at $32.02/hr = $39,965/year (purchasing power: $41,630).
Working 40h/week (full-time) = $66,608/year (purchasing power: $69,384).
CoL index: 96 (100 = national average). Your dollars stretch further here.
2019 BLS Actual
$27.82/hr
2025 BLS Actual
$31.38/hr
2026 Current Est.
$32.02/hr
2019–2027 Growth
+17.5%
Hourly Rate Trajectory for School Counselors in Baytown (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 2.05% projection.
| Year | Hourly Rate | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $27.82/hr | Actual |
| 2020 | $28.35/hr | Actual |
| 2021 | $29.52/hr | Actual |
| 2022 | $29.34/hr | Actual |
| 2023 | $30.10/hr | Actual |
| 2024 | $30.31/hr | Actual |
| 2025 | $31.38/hr | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $32.02/hr | Estimated |
| 2027 | $32.68/hr | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, the median hourly rate for school counselors in Baytown grew 12.8% from $27.82/hr (2019) to $31.38/hr (2025). At a 2.05% projected growth rate, hourly pay is expected to reach $32.68/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 Baytown 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 Baytown
Taking a closer look at the financial dynamics for school counselors, a part-time counselor working 24 hours a week might face an annual income that falls short compared to full-time counterparts, yet still provides a sustainable income, especially if they opt for roles with benefits, even if they come with a lower hourly rate. For those pursuing per-diem school counselor pay in Baytown, opportunities can differ significantly based on the employer type, ranging from public school districts to private institutions or even higher education settings. It is also essential to acknowledge that supplemental summer counseling can add substantially to earnings, often yielding an extra $5,000 to $15,000 annually. Counselors must assess the trade-offs between potentially higher hourly rates with no benefits at certain venues versus a more stable pay model found in K-12 settings that provide health insurance. Practical negotiation for hourly rates in Baytown may involve articulating one's unique qualifications and advocating for a competitive pay scale that reflects the increasing demand for counselors due to recent funding boosts targeted at mental health support in schools.
More salary data for Baytown, TX:
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 Baytown. 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 Baytown 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