School Counselor Hourly Pay in Houston, TX: $36.50 (2026)
Quick Answer:Hourly pay for a school counselor working in Houston, TX runs $36.50 at the median for 2026 — annualizing to $75,936 at a standard 2,080-hour year. Figures projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 21-1012). Weighted against Houston's regional price level (BEA RPP 98.6, 1% below national), each hour of work buys what $37.01 nationally would. A 24-hour part-time schedule grosses $45,556 per year.
Official BLS data · View source
In Houston, Texas, the school counselor hourly pay for 2026 is projected at $36.50, which is significantly higher than the national hourly median of $30.93. This favorable wage indicates a competitive environment for professionals in various educational settings, including elementary schools, middle schools, high schools, and post-secondary institutions. For part-time counselors working three days a week, or those who engage in per-diem roles, the potential earnings can be quite beneficial, especially when providing services like classroom guidance lessons or individual counseling sessions. The hourly compensation ranges from $22.49 for entry-level roles to as much as $51.22 for the highest earners, reflecting the diverse stages of expertise within the profession. The data, derived from 2025 BLS OEWS statistics, indicates a growing recognition of the importance of school counselors within the educational field.
School Counselor Hourly Wage Breakdown
| Percentile | Hourly Rate | Per 8hr Shift |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $22.49 | $179.93 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $27.57 | $220.59 |
| Median (P50) | $36.50 | $292.03 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $41.19 | $329.50 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $51.22 | $409.75 |
Estimated Annual Income by Work Schedule in Houston
Based on $36.50/hr median hourly rate · 2026 est.
At $36.50/hr, a school counselor working full-time (40 hr/wk) in Houston, TX can expect to earn approximately $75,927 per year (2026 est.). Part-time hygienists working 24 hours per week would earn around $43,804. With a cost-of-living index of 98.63 (below the national average), these earnings stretch further in Houston.
Hourly Rate Calculator
Schedule Comparison in Houston
| Schedule | Weekly | Monthly | Annual |
|---|---|---|---|
| Full-Time (40 hrs) | $1,460.13 | $6,327 | $75,927 |
| Part-Time (24 hrs) | $876.08 | $3,796 | $45,556 |
| Per Diem (16 hrs) | $584.05 | $2,531 | $30,371 |
Compare SC, LSC Wages With Similar Roles
| Role | Median Hourly |
|---|---|
| School Counselor (Houston) | $36.50 |
| 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 Houston, TX earn a median of $75,936 per year (2026 est.), which is 18.03% higher than the national median of $64,335 and 13.40% above the Texas state average of $66,963.
School Counselor Hourly Pay vs. Cost of Living
Working 24h/week at $36.50/hr = $45,556/year (purchasing power: $46,189).
Working 40h/week (full-time) = $75,927/year (purchasing power: $76,982).
CoL index: 98.629 (100 = national average). Your dollars stretch further here.
2019 BLS Actual
$32.05/hr
2025 BLS Actual
$35.77/hr
2026 Current Est.
$36.50/hr
2019–2027 Growth
+16.2%
Hourly Rate Trajectory for School Counselors in Houston (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 2.05% projection.
| Year | Hourly Rate | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $32.05/hr | Actual |
| 2020 | $31.68/hr | Actual |
| 2021 | $29.56/hr | Actual |
| 2022 | $30.56/hr | Actual |
| 2023 | $33.77/hr | Actual |
| 2024 | $36.13/hr | Actual |
| 2025 | $35.77/hr | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $36.50/hr | Estimated |
| 2027 | $37.25/hr | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, the median hourly rate for school counselors in Houston grew 11.6% from $32.05/hr (2019) to $35.77/hr (2025). At a 2.05% projected growth rate, hourly pay is expected to reach $37.25/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 Houston 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 Houston
When considering the financial implications of hourly work as a school counselor, part-time professionals may expect to earn a different annual income compared to their full-time counterparts. A school counselor working 24 hours per week could net approximately $28,944 annually at the median rate, a stark contrast to what a full-time role could yield. Additionally, per-diem school counselor pay in Houston can vary significantly; private college counseling positions can command rates as high as $150-$400 per hour, substantially increasing earning potential for those who work independently. Hourly rates also differ among employer types, influenced by the settings of K-12 public schools, charter schools, and private educational environments. Counselors may choose roles with lower hourly pay but increased benefits, weighing the trade-offs of job stability against higher pay without health insurance. For those negotiating in Houston, it's advisable to understand local salary trends and align requests with industry standards, especially when negotiating hourly wages related to education and mental health initiatives following recent funding expansions.
More salary data for Houston, 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 Houston. 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