School Counselor Hourly Pay in Grand Prairie, TX: $32.53 (2026)
Quick Answer:Hourly pay for a school counselor working in Grand Prairie, TX runs $32.53 at the median for 2026 — annualizing to $67,661 at a standard 2,080-hour year. Figures projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 21-1012). Weighted against Grand Prairie's regional price level (BEA RPP 96.0, 4% below national), each hour of work buys what $33.89 nationally would. A 24-hour part-time schedule grosses $40,602 per year.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
In 2026, the school counselor hourly pay in Grand Prairie, TX, is projected to be $32.53, which surpasses the national median of $30.93. This higher hourly rate provides a significant advantage for part-time counselors working three days a week, allowing for flexible schedules that accommodate other commitments. Within typical school settings—such as conducting classroom guidance lessons at elementary schools, facilitating small group counseling in middle schools, or providing individual counseling for high school students—these professionals can expect to earn between $21.15 (entry-level) and $50.42 (top earners). The hourly rates, estimated from annual salary data, highlight the economic opportunities available for school counselors in this city compared to national averages.
About the Grand Prairie 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) | $21.15 | $169.24 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $26.51 | $212.10 |
| Median (P50) | $32.53 | $260.27 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $41.64 | $333.09 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $50.42 | $403.38 |
Estimated Annual Income by Work Schedule in Grand Prairie
Based on $32.53/hr median hourly rate · 2026 est.
At $32.53/hr, a school counselor working full-time (40 hr/wk) in Grand Prairie, TX can expect to earn approximately $67,670 per year (2026 est.). Part-time hygienists working 24 hours per week would earn around $39,040. With a cost-of-living index of 96.00 (below the national average), these earnings stretch further in Grand Prairie.
Hourly Rate Calculator
Schedule Comparison in Grand Prairie
| Schedule | Weekly | Monthly | Annual |
|---|---|---|---|
| Full-Time (40 hrs) | $1,301.34 | $5,639 | $67,670 |
| Part-Time (24 hrs) | $780.80 | $3,383 | $40,602 |
| Per Diem (16 hrs) | $520.54 | $2,256 | $27,068 |
Compare SC, LSC Wages With Similar Roles
| Role | Median Hourly |
|---|---|
| School Counselor (Grand Prairie) | $32.53 |
| 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 Grand Prairie, TX earn a median of $67,661 per year (2026 est.), which is 5.17% higher than the national median of $64,335 and 1.10% above the Texas state average of $66,925.
School Counselor Hourly Pay vs. Cost of Living
Working 24h/week at $32.53/hr = $40,602/year (purchasing power: $42,294).
Working 40h/week (full-time) = $67,670/year (purchasing power: $70,489).
CoL index: 96 (100 = national average). Your dollars stretch further here.
2019 BLS Actual
$28.27/hr
2025 BLS Actual
$31.88/hr
2026 Current Est.
$32.53/hr
2019–2027 Growth
+17.5%
Hourly Rate Trajectory for School Counselors in Grand Prairie (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 2.05% projection.
| Year | Hourly Rate | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $28.27/hr | Actual |
| 2020 | $28.80/hr | Actual |
| 2021 | $29.99/hr | Actual |
| 2022 | $29.80/hr | Actual |
| 2023 | $30.58/hr | Actual |
| 2024 | $30.78/hr | Actual |
| 2025 | $31.88/hr | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $32.53/hr | Estimated |
| 2027 | $33.20/hr | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, the median hourly rate for school counselors in Grand Prairie grew 12.8% from $28.27/hr (2019) to $31.88/hr (2025). At a 2.05% projected growth rate, hourly pay is expected to reach $33.20/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 Grand Prairie 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 Grand Prairie
When assessing part-time work, a counselor in Grand Prairie working 24 hours per week could take home approximately $50,865 annually, considerably less than their full-time counterparts due to the step-and-lane pay structure that many districts use. Per diem and agency roles offer alternative earning routes, with some private college counselors charging between $150 and $400 per hour for specialized services, contrasting with the public school system. Employment settings also influence hourly pay; counselors in K-12 public institutions may receive standard hourly rates, while private schools or post-secondary institutions could offer competitive compensation. Some counselors opt for slightly lower hourly wages in public education in exchange for health benefits, which underscores the importance of considering both pay and benefits during negotiations. Understanding local salary trends and articulating one’s value can be key for those seeking to negotiate better pay rates in Grand Prairie's school counseling positions.
More salary data for Grand Prairie, 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 Grand Prairie. 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 Grand Prairie 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