School Counselor Hourly Pay in Pasadena, TX: $36.03 (2026)
Quick Answer:Hourly pay for a school counselor working in Pasadena, TX runs $36.03 at the median for 2026 — annualizing to $74,943 at a standard 2,080-hour year. Figures projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 21-1012). Weighted against Pasadena's regional price level (BEA RPP 96.0, 4% below national), each hour of work buys what $37.54 nationally would. A 24-hour part-time schedule grosses $44,970 per year.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
In Pasadena, TX, school counselor hourly pay stands at a median of $36.03, which notably surpasses the national hourly median of $30.93. This pay structure positions counseling professionals favorably, particularly in roles such as elementary classroom guidance, middle school group counseling, high school individual counseling sessions, and college counseling resource rooms. For those in part-time positions, such as working three days a week, or for per-diem counselors, this hourly wage can contribute substantially to their overall compensation, especially when considering the entry-level pay of $25.52 and the top-tier rate of $55.85. While these figures are derived from annual salary projections, they reflect a clear alignment with the increased emphasis on mental health and support within schools, driven by growth funding post-COVID.
About the Pasadena 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) | $25.52 | $204.18 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $28.78 | $230.22 |
| Median (P50) | $36.03 | $288.27 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $46.12 | $368.93 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $55.85 | $446.82 |
Estimated Annual Income by Work Schedule in Pasadena
Based on $36.03/hr median hourly rate · 2026 est.
At $36.03/hr, a school counselor working full-time (40 hr/wk) in Pasadena, TX can expect to earn approximately $74,950 per year (2026 est.). Part-time hygienists working 24 hours per week would earn around $43,241. With a cost-of-living index of 96.00 (below the national average), these earnings stretch further in Pasadena.
Hourly Rate Calculator
Schedule Comparison in Pasadena
| Schedule | Weekly | Monthly | Annual |
|---|---|---|---|
| Full-Time (40 hrs) | $1,441.35 | $6,246 | $74,950 |
| Part-Time (24 hrs) | $864.81 | $3,748 | $44,970 |
| Per Diem (16 hrs) | $576.54 | $2,498 | $29,980 |
Compare SC, LSC Wages With Similar Roles
| Role | Median Hourly |
|---|---|
| School Counselor (Pasadena) | $36.03 |
| 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 Pasadena, TX earn a median of $74,943 per year (2026 est.), which is 16.49% higher than the national median of $64,335 and 11.90% above the Texas state average of $66,974.
School Counselor Hourly Pay vs. Cost of Living
Working 24h/week at $36.03/hr = $44,970/year (purchasing power: $46,844).
Working 40h/week (full-time) = $74,950/year (purchasing power: $78,073).
CoL index: 96 (100 = national average). Your dollars stretch further here.
2019 BLS Actual
$31.31/hr
2025 BLS Actual
$35.31/hr
2026 Current Est.
$36.03/hr
2019–2027 Growth
+17.5%
Hourly Rate Trajectory for School Counselors in Pasadena (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 2.05% projection.
| Year | Hourly Rate | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $31.31/hr | Actual |
| 2020 | $31.90/hr | Actual |
| 2021 | $33.21/hr | Actual |
| 2022 | $33.01/hr | Actual |
| 2023 | $33.87/hr | Actual |
| 2024 | $30.36/hr | Actual |
| 2025 | $35.31/hr | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $36.03/hr | Estimated |
| 2027 | $36.77/hr | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, the median hourly rate for school counselors in Pasadena grew 12.8% from $31.31/hr (2019) to $35.31/hr (2025). At a 2.05% projected growth rate, hourly pay is expected to reach $36.77/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 Pasadena 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 Pasadena
Examining the part-time earning potential, a Pasadena school counselor working a 24-hour week could expect to take home around $43,580 annually, compared to a full-time counterpart, which can lead to significant lifestyle differences. Per-diem positions can tilt the earnings further, as private counselors in high-cost areas charge between $150 and $400 per hour for specialized services like college admissions consulting. Variability in hourly rates exists across employment types, with public K-12 school districts generally offering structured salaries similar to teachers, whereas private and charter schools may have more flexibility in pay arrangements. Some school counselors may accept lower hourly rates when offered employment with health benefits, while others may prefer higher pay without such perks. In negotiating offers, especially in Pasadena’s competitive market, candidates should research local salaries and understand the benefits landscape to advocate effectively for their worth in this burgeoning job sector.
More salary data for Pasadena, 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 Pasadena. 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 Pasadena 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