School Counselor Hourly Pay in Lancaster, TX: $31.21 (2026)
Quick Answer:Hourly pay for a school counselor working in Lancaster, TX runs $31.21 at the median for 2026 — annualizing to $64,914 at a standard 2,080-hour year. Figures projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 21-1012). Weighted against Lancaster's regional price level (BEA RPP 96.0, 4% below national), each hour of work buys what $32.51 nationally would. A 24-hour part-time schedule grosses $38,946 per year.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
In Lancaster, TX, the projected school counselor hourly pay for 2026 stands at $31.21, slightly above the national hourly median of $30.93. This figure reflects the hourly compensation typical of various roles in educational settings, including elementary classroom guidance lessons, middle school group counseling, high school individual sessions, and college counseling resource rooms. For part-time school counselors working three days a week—approximately 24 hours—they could expect to earn around $750 per week before taxes, making their annual earnings significantly lower than those who work full-time. The hourly range for school counselors in Lancaster varies, beginning at $21.32 for entry-level positions and reaching up to $48.37 for experienced professionals, illustrating a broad spectrum of compensation opportunities within this critical role. As is common in K-12 environments following a step-and-lane pay structure, these hourly rates derive from the annual salary estimates based on 2025 BLS data, projected to 2026.
About the Lancaster 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) | $21.32 | $170.55 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $26.03 | $208.26 |
| Median (P50) | $31.21 | $249.66 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $39.94 | $319.54 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $48.37 | $386.97 |
Estimated Annual Income by Work Schedule in Lancaster
Based on $31.21/hr median hourly rate · 2026 est.
At $31.21/hr, a school counselor working full-time (40 hr/wk) in Lancaster, TX can expect to earn approximately $64,910 per year (2026 est.). Part-time hygienists working 24 hours per week would earn around $37,448. With a cost-of-living index of 96.00 (below the national average), these earnings stretch further in Lancaster.
Hourly Rate Calculator
Schedule Comparison in Lancaster
| Schedule | Weekly | Monthly | Annual |
|---|---|---|---|
| Full-Time (40 hrs) | $1,248.28 | $5,409 | $64,910 |
| Part-Time (24 hrs) | $748.97 | $3,246 | $38,946 |
| Per Diem (16 hrs) | $499.31 | $2,164 | $25,964 |
Compare SC, LSC Wages With Similar Roles
| Role | Median Hourly |
|---|---|
| School Counselor (Lancaster) | $31.21 |
| 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 Lancaster, TX earn a median of $64,914 per year (2026 est.), which is 0.90% higher than the national median of $64,335 and 3.00% below the Texas state average of $66,922.
School Counselor Hourly Pay vs. Cost of Living
Working 24h/week at $31.21/hr = $38,946/year (purchasing power: $40,569).
Working 40h/week (full-time) = $64,910/year (purchasing power: $67,615).
CoL index: 96 (100 = national average). Your dollars stretch further here.
2019 BLS Actual
$27.11/hr
2025 BLS Actual
$30.58/hr
2026 Current Est.
$31.21/hr
2019–2027 Growth
+17.5%
Hourly Rate Trajectory for School Counselors in Lancaster (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 2.05% projection.
| Year | Hourly Rate | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $27.11/hr | Actual |
| 2020 | $27.63/hr | Actual |
| 2021 | $28.76/hr | Actual |
| 2022 | $28.59/hr | Actual |
| 2023 | $29.33/hr | Actual |
| 2024 | $29.53/hr | Actual |
| 2025 | $30.58/hr | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $31.21/hr | Estimated |
| 2027 | $31.85/hr | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, the median hourly rate for school counselors in Lancaster grew 12.8% from $27.11/hr (2019) to $30.58/hr (2025). At a 2.05% projected growth rate, hourly pay is expected to reach $31.85/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 Lancaster 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 Lancaster
Exploring the part-time earning potential in Lancaster illustrates a different picture when compared to full-time employment. A school counselor working 24 hours a week could expect total annual earnings around $39,000 before taxes, whereas full-time counselors earning a median salary may take home approximately $64,914 annually. The per diem landscape is distinct, with school counselors often finding it rare to cover for absent colleagues. Instead, per diem roles, especially in private colleges, can command $150 to $400 an hour, presenting an alternative income path for those willing to seek opportunities outside traditional school settings. Various employer types, including K-12 public schools, charter institutions, and private schools, offer different hourly compensation rates, and benefits can greatly influence hourly choices. While some counselors may opt for lower hourly rates to secure health insurance benefits, others may choose higher pay without benefits for flexibility. For those working in Lancaster, thorough negotiation skills can enhance earning potential; knowing the local labor market and emphasizing relevant qualifications can yield improved compensation in this competitive field.
More salary data for Lancaster, 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 Lancaster. 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 Lancaster 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