School Counselor Hourly Pay in Temple, TX: $34.72 (2026)
Quick Answer:Hourly pay for a school counselor working in Temple, TX runs $34.72 at the median for 2026 — annualizing to $72,210 at a standard 2,080-hour year. Figures projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 21-1012). Weighted against Temple's regional price level (BEA RPP 96.0, 4% below national), each hour of work buys what $36.16 nationally would. A 24-hour part-time schedule grosses $43,327 per year.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
In Temple, Texas, school counselors can expect to earn a median hourly pay of $34.72, which exceeds the national hourly median of $30.93 by 12.24%. This higher rate reflects the competitive nature of the job market in local educational settings. Counselors working part-time—typically three days per week—can expect to engage in a variety of roles from conducting classroom guidance lessons in elementary schools to offering individual counseling in high school settings. The hourly rate ranges from $25.36 for entry-level positions to $53.81 for experienced counselors. The data showcases that these figures are derived from annual salary estimates, effectively translating the salary landscape into hourly terms for practical understanding.
About the Temple 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) | $25.36 | $202.88 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $28.21 | $225.65 |
| Median (P50) | $34.72 | $277.74 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $44.43 | $355.46 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $53.81 | $430.49 |
Estimated Annual Income by Work Schedule in Temple
Based on $34.72/hr median hourly rate · 2026 est.
At $34.72/hr, a school counselor working full-time (40 hr/wk) in Temple, TX can expect to earn approximately $72,212 per year (2026 est.). Part-time hygienists working 24 hours per week would earn around $41,661. With a cost-of-living index of 96.00 (below the national average), these earnings stretch further in Temple.
Hourly Rate Calculator
Schedule Comparison in Temple
| Schedule | Weekly | Monthly | Annual |
|---|---|---|---|
| Full-Time (40 hrs) | $1,388.70 | $6,018 | $72,212 |
| Part-Time (24 hrs) | $833.22 | $3,611 | $43,327 |
| Per Diem (16 hrs) | $555.48 | $2,407 | $28,885 |
Compare SC, LSC Wages With Similar Roles
| Role | Median Hourly |
|---|---|
| School Counselor (Temple) | $34.72 |
| 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 Temple, TX earn a median of $72,210 per year (2026 est.), which is 12.24% higher than the national median of $64,335 and 7.80% above the Texas state average of $66,985.
School Counselor Hourly Pay vs. Cost of Living
Working 24h/week at $34.72/hr = $43,327/year (purchasing power: $45,133).
Working 40h/week (full-time) = $72,212/year (purchasing power: $75,221).
CoL index: 96 (100 = national average). Your dollars stretch further here.
2019 BLS Actual
$30.16/hr
2025 BLS Actual
$34.02/hr
2026 Current Est.
$34.72/hr
2019–2027 Growth
+17.5%
Hourly Rate Trajectory for School Counselors in Temple (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 2.05% projection.
| Year | Hourly Rate | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $30.16/hr | Actual |
| 2020 | $30.74/hr | Actual |
| 2021 | $32.00/hr | Actual |
| 2022 | $31.80/hr | Actual |
| 2023 | $32.63/hr | Actual |
| 2024 | $29.91/hr | Actual |
| 2025 | $34.02/hr | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $34.72/hr | Estimated |
| 2027 | $35.43/hr | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, the median hourly rate for school counselors in Temple grew 12.8% from $30.16/hr (2019) to $34.02/hr (2025). At a 2.05% projected growth rate, hourly pay is expected to reach $35.43/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 Temple 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 Temple
Examining the financial prospects for part-time school counselors, those working 24 hours a week could generate earnings significantly lower than their full-time counterparts, taking home roughly $43,000 annually. Per diem counselors, who may charge between $150 to $400 per hour, can create a lucrative income stream, particularly in high-cost markets. In the Temple area, the variation in hourly rates depends largely on the employer type; K-12 public schools, charter schools, and private institutions often differ in compensation, reflecting a broader trend seen in many districts. Additionally, some counselors may opt for positions that offer lower hourly wages in exchange for benefits such as health insurance. Practical tips for negotiation include clearly understanding one’s worth and researching local pay scales to tailor discussions to reflect true market value for this vital profession.
More salary data for Temple, 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 Temple. 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 Temple 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