School Counselor Hourly Pay in Fort Worth, TX: $36.48 (2026)
Quick Answer:Hourly pay for a school counselor working in Fort Worth, TX runs $36.48 at the median for 2026 — annualizing to $75,888 at a standard 2,080-hour year. Figures projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 21-1012). Weighted against Fort Worth's regional price level (BEA RPP 96.0, 4% below national), each hour of work buys what $38.00 nationally would. A 24-hour part-time schedule grosses $45,531 per year.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
In Fort Worth, Texas, the 2026 projected median hourly pay for school counselors is $36.48, which is significantly higher than the national median of $30.93. This hourly rate provides a solid earning potential for part-time professionals, allowing those who work three days a week to still have a substantial income. Various roles such as elementary classroom guidance, middle school small group counseling, and high school individual counseling take advantage of this rate, emphasizing the demand for these skilled positions in educational settings. The hourly wage spans a range, starting from $25.47 at the lower tier to $56.56 for experienced practitioners, illustrating a clear distinction between entry-level positions and top earners in the field.
About the Fort Worth 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) | $25.47 | $203.77 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $29.00 | $232.02 |
| Median (P50) | $36.48 | $291.86 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $46.70 | $373.58 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $56.56 | $452.45 |
Estimated Annual Income by Work Schedule in Fort Worth
Based on $36.48/hr median hourly rate · 2026 est.
At $36.48/hr, a school counselor working full-time (40 hr/wk) in Fort Worth, TX can expect to earn approximately $75,884 per year (2026 est.). Part-time hygienists working 24 hours per week would earn around $43,779. With a cost-of-living index of 96.00 (below the national average), these earnings stretch further in Fort Worth.
Hourly Rate Calculator
Schedule Comparison in Fort Worth
| Schedule | Weekly | Monthly | Annual |
|---|---|---|---|
| Full-Time (40 hrs) | $1,459.32 | $6,324 | $75,884 |
| Part-Time (24 hrs) | $875.59 | $3,794 | $45,531 |
| Per Diem (16 hrs) | $583.73 | $2,529 | $30,354 |
Compare SC, LSC Wages With Similar Roles
| Role | Median Hourly |
|---|---|
| School Counselor (Fort Worth) | $36.48 |
| 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 Fort Worth, TX earn a median of $75,888 per year (2026 est.), which is 17.96% higher than the national median of $64,335 and 13.30% above the Texas state average of $66,980.
School Counselor Hourly Pay vs. Cost of Living
Working 24h/week at $36.48/hr = $45,531/year (purchasing power: $47,428).
Working 40h/week (full-time) = $75,884/year (purchasing power: $79,046).
CoL index: 96 (100 = national average). Your dollars stretch further here.
2019 BLS Actual
$31.70/hr
2025 BLS Actual
$35.75/hr
2026 Current Est.
$36.48/hr
2019–2027 Growth
+17.5%
Hourly Rate Trajectory for School Counselors in Fort Worth (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 2.05% projection.
| Year | Hourly Rate | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $31.70/hr | Actual |
| 2020 | $32.30/hr | Actual |
| 2021 | $33.63/hr | Actual |
| 2022 | $33.42/hr | Actual |
| 2023 | $34.29/hr | Actual |
| 2024 | $32.68/hr | Actual |
| 2025 | $35.75/hr | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $36.48/hr | Estimated |
| 2027 | $37.23/hr | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, the median hourly rate for school counselors in Fort Worth grew 12.8% from $31.70/hr (2019) to $35.75/hr (2025). At a 2.05% projected growth rate, hourly pay is expected to reach $37.23/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 Fort Worth 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 Fort Worth
Taking a closer look, a part-time school counselor in Fort Worth working 24 hours a week would take home around $45,000 annually, a notable figure compared to their full-time peers. For those opting for per diem roles, the earning landscape shifts dramatically; private college counselors can charge $150-$400 an hour for their consulting services, highlighting the disparity in pay based on employer type and setting. The job market includes positions in K-12 public school districts, charter schools, and private institutions, each potentially offering different hourly rates. While some school counselors may choose lower-paying roles to access benefits like health insurance, others may pursue higher hourly pay without benefits, accepting the trade-offs. For those negotiating their hourly pay, it’s beneficial to know the local standards and emphasize specific skills gained from ASCA or CACREP-accredited training, as well as the ongoing demand for mental health support within schools post-COVID.
More salary data for Fort Worth, 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 Fort Worth. 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 Fort Worth 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