School Counselor Hourly Pay in McAllen, TX: $38.66 (2026)
Quick Answer:Hourly pay for a school counselor working in McAllen, TX runs $38.66 at the median for 2026 — annualizing to $80,397 at a standard 2,080-hour year. Figures projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 21-1012). Weighted against McAllen's regional price level (BEA RPP 85.9, 14% below national), each hour of work buys what $45.00 nationally would. A 24-hour part-time schedule grosses $48,243 per year.
Official BLS data · View source
In 2026, school counselors in McAllen, Texas, earn a median hourly rate of $38.66, significantly higher than the national median of $30.93. This rate supports a range of employment types, including full-time, part-time, and per-diem positions within various educational settings such as elementary schools, middle schools, and high schools, as well as college resource rooms. For part-time counselors working three days a week, the hourly rate translates into substantial earnings, while per-diem counselors are well-positioned for flexibility and higher pay opportunities. The hourly pay range for school counselors in McAllen spans from $22.10 (10th percentile) to $50.79 (90th percentile), indicating a wide earning potential based on experience, educational setting, and specific job responsibilities, as reported by 2025 BLS OEWS data, projected to 2026.
School Counselor Hourly Wage Breakdown
| Percentile | Hourly Rate | Per 8hr Shift |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $22.10 | $176.83 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $29.25 | $233.98 |
| Median (P50) | $38.66 | $309.25 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $48.43 | $387.46 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $50.79 | $406.32 |
Estimated Annual Income by Work Schedule in McAllen
Based on $38.66/hr median hourly rate · 2026 est.
At $38.66/hr, a school counselor working full-time (40 hr/wk) in McAllen, TX can expect to earn approximately $80,406 per year (2026 est.). Part-time hygienists working 24 hours per week would earn around $46,388. With a cost-of-living index of 85.89 (below the national average), these earnings stretch further in McAllen.
Hourly Rate Calculator
Schedule Comparison in McAllen
| Schedule | Weekly | Monthly | Annual |
|---|---|---|---|
| Full-Time (40 hrs) | $1,546.26 | $6,700 | $80,406 |
| Part-Time (24 hrs) | $927.76 | $4,020 | $48,243 |
| Per Diem (16 hrs) | $618.50 | $2,680 | $32,162 |
Compare SC, LSC Wages With Similar Roles
| Role | Median Hourly |
|---|---|
| School Counselor (McAllen) | $38.66 |
| 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 McAllen, TX earn a median of $80,397 per year (2026 est.), which is 24.97% higher than the national median of $64,335 and 20.10% above the Texas state average of $66,942.
School Counselor Hourly Pay vs. Cost of Living
Working 24h/week at $38.66/hr = $48,243/year (purchasing power: $56,166).
Working 40h/week (full-time) = $80,406/year (purchasing power: $93,609).
CoL index: 85.895 (100 = national average). Your dollars stretch further here.
2019 BLS Actual
$31.92/hr
2025 BLS Actual
$37.88/hr
2026 Current Est.
$38.66/hr
2019–2027 Growth
+23.6%
Hourly Rate Trajectory for School Counselors in McAllen (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 2.05% projection.
| Year | Hourly Rate | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $31.92/hr | Actual |
| 2020 | $32.78/hr | Actual |
| 2021 | $30.09/hr | Actual |
| 2022 | $30.74/hr | Actual |
| 2023 | $35.13/hr | Actual |
| 2024 | $35.30/hr | Actual |
| 2025 | $37.88/hr | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $38.66/hr | Estimated |
| 2027 | $39.45/hr | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, the median hourly rate for school counselors in McAllen grew 18.7% from $31.92/hr (2019) to $37.88/hr (2025). At a 2.05% projected growth rate, hourly pay is expected to reach $39.45/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 McAllen 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 McAllen
When considering the part-time earning potential of a school counselor in McAllen working a three-day week, they may take home significantly less annually compared to their full-time counterparts, even with a decent hourly rate. Per-diem school counselors often command a higher rate, especially in agency or private settings, where fees can range from $150-$400 per hour in high-cost markets. In McAllen, various employer types—including K-12 public districts and private schools—affect the hourly pay scale. While some schools may offer lower hourly wages for benefit packages, others in private or alternative settings may provide more competitive pay without additional perks. For counselors negotiating their hourly pay, it's essential to consider both salary and benefits, as well as their unique work environments, which can influence overall satisfaction and financial well-being in this expanding field.
More salary data for McAllen, 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 McAllen. 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