School Counselor Hourly Pay in McKinney, TX: $31.97 (2026)
Quick Answer:Hourly pay for a school counselor working in McKinney, TX runs $31.97 at the median for 2026 — annualizing to $66,492 at a standard 2,080-hour year. Figures projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 21-1012). Weighted against McKinney's regional price level (BEA RPP 96.0, 4% below national), each hour of work buys what $33.30 nationally would. A 24-hour part-time schedule grosses $39,901 per year.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
The projected school counselor hourly pay in McKinney, TX is $31.97 in 2026, which is a commendable figure, surpassing the national hourly median of $30.93. This hourly rate reflects the financial dynamics faced by part-time professionals, as those working three days a week would earn a steady income despite not embracing the full-time commitment that many counselors fulfill. With entry-level positions typically starting around $22.33 and experienced counselors earning upwards of $49.55 per hour, individuals can expect a substantial range in compensation options. Settings for school counselors in McKinney vary widely, including elementary classroom guidance lessons, middle school small group counseling, and high school individual counseling offices. These environments provide opportunities for specialized work and crisis response coordination, which can be physically and emotionally rewarding while contributing positively to students' lives.
About the McKinney 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) | $22.33 | $178.63 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $24.70 | $197.57 |
| Median (P50) | $31.97 | $255.78 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $40.92 | $327.38 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $49.55 | $396.36 |
Estimated Annual Income by Work Schedule in McKinney
Based on $31.97/hr median hourly rate · 2026 est.
At $31.97/hr, a school counselor working full-time (40 hr/wk) in McKinney, TX can expect to earn approximately $66,502 per year (2026 est.). Part-time hygienists working 24 hours per week would earn around $38,367. With a cost-of-living index of 96.00 (below the national average), these earnings stretch further in McKinney.
Hourly Rate Calculator
Schedule Comparison in McKinney
| Schedule | Weekly | Monthly | Annual |
|---|---|---|---|
| Full-Time (40 hrs) | $1,278.89 | $5,542 | $66,502 |
| Part-Time (24 hrs) | $767.33 | $3,325 | $39,901 |
| Per Diem (16 hrs) | $511.56 | $2,217 | $26,601 |
Compare SC, LSC Wages With Similar Roles
| Role | Median Hourly |
|---|---|
| School Counselor (McKinney) | $31.97 |
| 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 McKinney, TX earn a median of $66,492 per year (2026 est.), which is 3.35% higher than the national median of $64,335 and 0.70% below the Texas state average of $66,960.
School Counselor Hourly Pay vs. Cost of Living
Working 24h/week at $31.97/hr = $39,901/year (purchasing power: $41,564).
Working 40h/week (full-time) = $66,502/year (purchasing power: $69,273).
CoL index: 96 (100 = national average). Your dollars stretch further here.
2019 BLS Actual
$27.78/hr
2025 BLS Actual
$31.33/hr
2026 Current Est.
$31.97/hr
2019–2027 Growth
+17.5%
Hourly Rate Trajectory for School Counselors in McKinney (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 2.05% projection.
| Year | Hourly Rate | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $27.78/hr | Actual |
| 2020 | $28.31/hr | Actual |
| 2021 | $29.47/hr | Actual |
| 2022 | $29.29/hr | Actual |
| 2023 | $30.05/hr | Actual |
| 2024 | $30.25/hr | Actual |
| 2025 | $31.33/hr | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $31.97/hr | Estimated |
| 2027 | $32.63/hr | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, the median hourly rate for school counselors in McKinney grew 12.8% from $27.78/hr (2019) to $31.33/hr (2025). At a 2.05% projected growth rate, hourly pay is expected to reach $32.63/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 McKinney 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 McKinney
When considering part-time positions, a school counselor working a 3-day week (24 hours) may take home approximately $39,988 annually, significantly less than a full-time counterpart. For those seeking flexibility, per diem roles can be a lucrative avenue, with private college counselors in high-cost living markets charging between $150 to $400 per hour. While public school districts in McKinney generally offer structured pay rates within the K-12 system, including benefits, charter and private institutions may offer less favorable hourly rates albeit with fewer obligations and more flexibility. School counselors need to weigh the financial benefits of lower hourly wages with health insurance against the potential gains from agency work without benefits, which can lead to increased take-home pay. For those negotiating rates in McKinney, understanding the local compensation landscape and being informed about the value brought through counseling credentials, such as ASCA and CACREP accreditation, can strengthen one's position.
More salary data for McKinney, 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 McKinney. 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 McKinney 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