School Counselor Hourly Pay in Lubbock, TX: $32.65 (2026)
Quick Answer:Hourly pay for a school counselor working in Lubbock, TX runs $32.65 at the median for 2026 — annualizing to $67,906 at a standard 2,080-hour year. Figures projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 21-1012). Weighted against Lubbock's regional price level (BEA RPP 91.3, 9% below national), each hour of work buys what $35.75 nationally would. A 24-hour part-time schedule grosses $40,742 per year.
Official BLS data · View source
In 2026, the school counselor hourly pay in Lubbock, Texas, is projected to be $32.65, which positions the city's pay rate above the national median of $30.93. This hourly rate highlights the potential for part-time counselors working three days a week, earning around $26,000 annually while balancing demanding roles in various educational settings. From elementary classroom lessons to high school individual counseling offices, the hourly pay level provides flexibility for per-diem workers, often essential for short-term engagements and specialized counseling needs. Those in Lubbock can expect to see hourly earnings ranging from $24.10 at the entry level to $40.93 for experienced professionals, according to official data based on 2025 BLS OEWS projections, giving school counselors a diverse landscape of opportunities within the region.
School Counselor Hourly Wage Breakdown
| Percentile | Hourly Rate | Per 8hr Shift |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $24.10 | $192.83 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $32.65 | $261.17 |
| Median (P50) | $32.65 | $261.17 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $39.03 | $312.27 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $40.93 | $327.46 |
Estimated Annual Income by Work Schedule in Lubbock
Based on $32.65/hr median hourly rate · 2026 est.
At $32.65/hr, a school counselor working full-time (40 hr/wk) in Lubbock, TX can expect to earn approximately $67,903 per year (2026 est.). Part-time hygienists working 24 hours per week would earn around $39,175. With a cost-of-living index of 91.32 (below the national average), these earnings stretch further in Lubbock.
Hourly Rate Calculator
Schedule Comparison in Lubbock
| Schedule | Weekly | Monthly | Annual |
|---|---|---|---|
| Full-Time (40 hrs) | $1,305.83 | $5,659 | $67,903 |
| Part-Time (24 hrs) | $783.50 | $3,395 | $40,742 |
| Per Diem (16 hrs) | $522.33 | $2,263 | $27,161 |
Compare SC, LSC Wages With Similar Roles
| Role | Median Hourly |
|---|---|
| School Counselor (Lubbock) | $32.65 |
| 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 Lubbock, TX earn a median of $67,906 per year (2026 est.), which is 5.55% higher than the national median of $64,335 and 1.40% above the Texas state average of $66,969.
School Counselor Hourly Pay vs. Cost of Living
Working 24h/week at $32.65/hr = $40,742/year (purchasing power: $44,616).
Working 40h/week (full-time) = $67,903/year (purchasing power: $74,360).
CoL index: 91.317 (100 = national average). Your dollars stretch further here.
2019 BLS Actual
$22.14/hr
2025 BLS Actual
$31.99/hr
2026 Current Est.
$32.65/hr
2019–2027 Growth
+50.5%
Hourly Rate Trajectory for School Counselors in Lubbock (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 2.05% projection.
| Year | Hourly Rate | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $22.14/hr | Actual |
| 2020 | $20.09/hr | Actual |
| 2021 | $21.47/hr | Actual |
| 2022 | $21.57/hr | Actual |
| 2023 | $29.85/hr | Actual |
| 2024 | $31.30/hr | Actual |
| 2025 | $31.99/hr | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $32.65/hr | Estimated |
| 2027 | $33.32/hr | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, the median hourly rate for school counselors in Lubbock grew 44.5% from $22.14/hr (2019) to $31.99/hr (2025). At a 2.05% projected growth rate, hourly pay is expected to reach $33.32/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 Lubbock 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 Lubbock
Many school counselors seeking part-time work in Lubbock may choose a three-day workweek, which presents unique financial implications compared to full-time positions. Working 24 hours a week translates to approximately $26,000 in annual income, a figure that highlights the potential for reduced earnings compared to full-time counselor roles that benefit from a structured salary. For those exploring per diem arrangements, especially in private college counseling, rates can soar to $150-$400 per hour in higher-cost markets, demonstrating that the income potential can vary significantly depending on the setting and employer type. In Lubbock, hourly wages also differ by the nature of employment; K-12 public schools, charter networks, and private institutions each have distinct pay structures. While public school counselors typically enjoy hourly benefits such as health insurance, they may earn less than their counterparts in private practice who operate at higher rates but without benefits. Negotiation strategies can be pivotal for those in the field, particularly in balancing hourly earnings against benefits when choosing employers in Lubbock.
More salary data for Lubbock, 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 Lubbock. 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