School Counselor Hourly Pay in DeSoto, TX: $32.27 (2026)
Quick Answer:Hourly pay for a school counselor working in DeSoto, TX runs $32.27 at the median for 2026 — annualizing to $67,116 at a standard 2,080-hour year. Figures projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 21-1012). Weighted against DeSoto's regional price level (BEA RPP 96.0, 4% below national), each hour of work buys what $33.61 nationally would. A 24-hour part-time schedule grosses $40,271 per year.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
In DeSoto, TX, the school counselor hourly pay is projected to be a median of $32.27 in 2026. This rate is notably higher than the national median hourly rate of $30.93, reflecting the growing importance of mental health support in schools. For part-time school counselors working three days a week, this hourly rate translates to significant earning potential while allowing flexibility in their schedules to manage multiple roles, from elementary classroom guidance to high school individual counseling. The hourly compensation for school counselors in DeSoto ranges from about $22.02 for entry-level positions to as much as $50.01 for the most experienced professionals, creating opportunities for counselors at various stages in their careers to earn competitive rates.
About the DeSoto 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) | $22.02 | $176.18 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $25.08 | $200.67 |
| Median (P50) | $32.27 | $258.15 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $40.80 | $326.40 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $50.01 | $400.12 |
Estimated Annual Income by Work Schedule in DeSoto
Based on $32.27/hr median hourly rate · 2026 est.
At $32.27/hr, a school counselor working full-time (40 hr/wk) in DeSoto, TX can expect to earn approximately $67,118 per year (2026 est.). Part-time hygienists working 24 hours per week would earn around $38,722. With a cost-of-living index of 96.00 (below the national average), these earnings stretch further in DeSoto.
Hourly Rate Calculator
Schedule Comparison in DeSoto
| Schedule | Weekly | Monthly | Annual |
|---|---|---|---|
| Full-Time (40 hrs) | $1,290.73 | $5,593 | $67,118 |
| Part-Time (24 hrs) | $774.44 | $3,356 | $40,271 |
| Per Diem (16 hrs) | $516.29 | $2,237 | $26,847 |
Compare SC, LSC Wages With Similar Roles
| Role | Median Hourly |
|---|---|
| School Counselor (DeSoto) | $32.27 |
| 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 DeSoto, TX earn a median of $67,116 per year (2026 est.), which is 4.32% higher than the national median of $64,335 and 0.20% above the Texas state average of $66,982.
School Counselor Hourly Pay vs. Cost of Living
Working 24h/week at $32.27/hr = $40,271/year (purchasing power: $41,949).
Working 40h/week (full-time) = $67,118/year (purchasing power: $69,914).
CoL index: 96 (100 = national average). Your dollars stretch further here.
2019 BLS Actual
$28.04/hr
2025 BLS Actual
$31.62/hr
2026 Current Est.
$32.27/hr
2019–2027 Growth
+17.5%
Hourly Rate Trajectory for School Counselors in DeSoto (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 2.05% projection.
| Year | Hourly Rate | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $28.04/hr | Actual |
| 2020 | $28.57/hr | Actual |
| 2021 | $29.74/hr | Actual |
| 2022 | $29.56/hr | Actual |
| 2023 | $30.33/hr | Actual |
| 2024 | $30.53/hr | Actual |
| 2025 | $31.62/hr | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $32.27/hr | Estimated |
| 2027 | $32.93/hr | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, the median hourly rate for school counselors in DeSoto grew 12.8% from $28.04/hr (2019) to $31.62/hr (2025). At a 2.05% projected growth rate, hourly pay is expected to reach $32.93/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 DeSoto 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 DeSoto
Focusing on financial realities, those working part-time, such as a school counselor who logs about 24 hours per week, would see their annual earnings hovering around $40,000, while full-time professionals would expect to make a considerably higher income. The rise of per diem school counselor pay in DeSoto offers opportunities for flexible work arrangements, particularly in high-demand settings like colleges and private sectors, where rates may escalate to anywhere between $150 and $400 per hour. However, counselors must weigh this flexibility against the benefits that come with traditional roles, especially in public K-12 settings, where health insurance and job stability can be enticing. Differences in hourly rates can also be observed based on employment types; public schools, charter institutions, and private schools offer varying compensation structures. As counselors in DeSoto negotiate salaries, they might consider the long-term benefits of stable employment versus higher hourly pay in less conventional roles.
More salary data for DeSoto, 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 DeSoto. 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 DeSoto 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