School Counselor Hourly Pay in Pharr, TX: $31.97 (2026)
Quick Answer:Hourly pay for a school counselor working in Pharr, TX runs $31.97 at the median for 2026 — annualizing to $66,501 at a standard 2,080-hour year. Figures projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 21-1012). Weighted against Pharr'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
In Pharr, Texas, the school counselor hourly pay is projected to be $31.97 in 2026, which is slightly higher than the national hourly median of $30.93. This competitive rate offers promising opportunities for both full-time and part-time school counselors. For those considering part-time work, such as three days a week, the income potential can be quite significant if carefully structured, especially when focusing on tasks like elementary classroom guidance lessons or high school individual counseling. The hourly rate ranges from $21.38 at the entry level to as much as $49.56 for top earners in the field. These rates, based on estimates derived from 2025 BLS data, highlight the evolving demand and value placed on school counselors in various educational settings, including elementary and high schools throughout Pharr.
About the Pharr 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) | $21.38 | $171.04 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $26.41 | $211.28 |
| Median (P50) | $31.97 | $255.78 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $40.92 | $327.38 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $49.56 | $396.44 |
Estimated Annual Income by Work Schedule in Pharr
Based on $31.97/hr median hourly rate · 2026 est.
At $31.97/hr, a school counselor working full-time (40 hr/wk) in Pharr, 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 Pharr.
Hourly Rate Calculator
Schedule Comparison in Pharr
| 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 (Pharr) | $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 Pharr, TX earn a median of $66,501 per year (2026 est.), which is 3.37% higher than the national median of $64,335 and 0.70% below the Texas state average of $66,970.
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 Pharr (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 Pharr 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 Pharr 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 Pharr
Exploring the earning potential further, a school counselor working part-time, such as 24 hours a week, could take home roughly $49,984 annually, while a full-time position would significantly increase that total to about $66,501. The per diem school counselor pay in Pharr can diverge wildly; while substitute coverage is scarce, private college counselors often command fees between $150 and $400 per hour, especially in high-cost living markets. School counselors in Pharr typically earn less in K-12 settings compared to potential incomes in college admissions consulting, yet some may prefer the job security and health insurance benefits associated with traditional school roles. This decision impacts their overall compensation; counselors who accept lower hourly wages in exchange for benefits might find it better for long-term stability. For those in negotiations, it's wise to highlight the unique skills and depth of training that come from attending accredited programs like CACREP, especially given the recent expansion in mental health funding post-COVID, which has increased the demand for skilled professionals to address higher student-to-counselor ratios.
More salary data for Pharr, TX:
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the hourly rate for school counselors in Pharr in 2026?
How much do part-time school counselors make in Pharr?
Are school counselors in Pharr paid hourly or salary?
How much does a full-time school counselor make per year in Pharr?
Do school counselors earn more per hour working part-time in Pharr?
Related Pages
Compare Salaries
Career Resources
Nearby Cities in Texas
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 Pharr. 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 Pharr 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