School Counselor Hourly Pay in San Marcos, TX: $30.30 (2026)
Quick Answer:Hourly pay for a school counselor working in San Marcos, TX runs $30.30 at the median for 2026 — annualizing to $63,012 at a standard 2,080-hour year. Figures projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 21-1012). Weighted against San Marcos's regional price level (BEA RPP 96.0, 4% below national), each hour of work buys what $31.56 nationally would. A 24-hour part-time schedule grosses $37,813 per year.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
In San Marcos, TX, school counselors earn a median hourly rate of $30.30, slightly below the national median of $30.93. This pay structure allows for flexible work schedules, making it feasible for many counselors to engage in part-time roles, such as working three days a week—or approximately 24 hours weekly. Whether in elementary guidance lessons, middle school small group settings, or high school individual counseling offices, these professionals can manage a variety of responsibilities. The hourly wage range spans from $21.10 for entry-level positions to $46.95 for seasoned counselors in San Marcos, underscoring the potential for significant income progression based on experience, location, and work setting. It is essential to recognize that these hourly figures stem from annual salary projections, reflecting broader trends in the education and counseling sectors.
About the San Marcos 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) | $21.10 | $168.83 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $23.94 | $191.53 |
| Median (P50) | $30.30 | $242.39 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $38.68 | $309.42 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $46.95 | $375.63 |
Estimated Annual Income by Work Schedule in San Marcos
Based on $30.30/hr median hourly rate · 2026 est.
At $30.30/hr, a school counselor working full-time (40 hr/wk) in San Marcos, TX can expect to earn approximately $63,021 per year (2026 est.). Part-time hygienists working 24 hours per week would earn around $36,358. With a cost-of-living index of 96.00 (below the national average), these earnings stretch further in San Marcos.
Hourly Rate Calculator
Schedule Comparison in San Marcos
| Schedule | Weekly | Monthly | Annual |
|---|---|---|---|
| Full-Time (40 hrs) | $1,211.95 | $5,252 | $63,021 |
| Part-Time (24 hrs) | $727.17 | $3,151 | $37,813 |
| Per Diem (16 hrs) | $484.78 | $2,101 | $25,208 |
Compare SC, LSC Wages With Similar Roles
| Role | Median Hourly |
|---|---|
| School Counselor (San Marcos) | $30.30 |
| 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 San Marcos, TX earn a median of $63,012 per year (2026 est.), which is 2.06% lower than the national median of $64,335 and 5.90% below the Texas state average of $66,963.
School Counselor Hourly Pay vs. Cost of Living
Working 24h/week at $30.30/hr = $37,813/year (purchasing power: $39,388).
Working 40h/week (full-time) = $63,021/year (purchasing power: $65,647).
CoL index: 96 (100 = national average). Your dollars stretch further here.
2019 BLS Actual
$26.33/hr
2025 BLS Actual
$29.69/hr
2026 Current Est.
$30.30/hr
2019–2027 Growth
+17.5%
Hourly Rate Trajectory for School Counselors in San Marcos (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 2.05% projection.
| Year | Hourly Rate | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $26.33/hr | Actual |
| 2020 | $26.82/hr | Actual |
| 2021 | $27.93/hr | Actual |
| 2022 | $27.76/hr | Actual |
| 2023 | $28.48/hr | Actual |
| 2024 | $30.86/hr | Actual |
| 2025 | $29.69/hr | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $30.30/hr | Estimated |
| 2027 | $30.92/hr | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, the median hourly rate for school counselors in San Marcos grew 12.8% from $26.33/hr (2019) to $29.69/hr (2025). At a 2.05% projected growth rate, hourly pay is expected to reach $30.92/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 San Marcos 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 San Marcos
Examining the potential income for part-time school counselors, those working 24 hours a week would take home approximately $37,822 annually, compared to their full-time counterparts earning around $63,012 in a full-time role. For those considering per diem or agency work, especially in post-secondary college counseling, rates can range from $150 to $400 per hour in high-cost living markets, representing a significant earning potential for specialized services. In San Marcos, pay variability can be significant based on employer type; K-12 public schools generally offer more stability, while private institutions and charter schools may provide different compensation packages. Some counselors may accept lower hourly rates to benefit from health insurance and retirement plans, while others prefer to hold out for higher salaries without a benefits package. Negotiation remains crucial in this environment—understanding the local job market and leveraging the 2.05% growth rate in employment for school counselors can help guide pay discussions effectively.
More salary data for San Marcos, 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 San Marcos. 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 San Marcos 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