School Counselor Hourly Pay in West Valley City, UT: $29.87 (2026)
Quick Answer:Hourly pay for a school counselor working in West Valley City, UT runs $29.87 at the median for 2026 — annualizing to $62,127 at a standard 2,080-hour year. Figures projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 21-1012). Weighted against West Valley City's regional price level (BEA RPP 98.1, 2% below national), each hour of work buys what $30.45 nationally would. A 24-hour part-time schedule grosses $37,278 per year.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
In West Valley City, UT, the school counselor hourly pay is projected to reach $29.87 in 2026, slightly below the national median of $30.93. This figure is particularly relevant for part-time professionals working three days a week, who can expect a steady income while engaging in various counseling roles—whether facilitating elementary guidance lessons, holding small group sessions in middle schools, or providing one-on-one support in high school settings. The hourly compensation spans from $19.63 for entry-level counselors to approximately $46.30 for those at the top of the pay scale, reflecting the diverse experience and expertise within this profession. Given that these hourly rates are derived from annual salary projections, they signify the financial hopes of current interns or master's-level counselors in pursuit of stable educational roles.
About the West Valley City Market
Salary estimated from Utah average ($60,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
School Counselor Hourly Wage Breakdown
| Percentile | Hourly Rate | Per 8hr Shift |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $19.63 | $157.08 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $22.70 | $181.57 |
| Median (P50) | $29.87 | $238.96 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $38.23 | $305.82 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $46.30 | $370.40 |
Estimated Annual Income by Work Schedule in West Valley City
Based on $29.87/hr median hourly rate · 2026 est.
At $29.87/hr, a school counselor working full-time (40 hr/wk) in West Valley City, UT can expect to earn approximately $62,130 per year (2026 est.). Part-time hygienists working 24 hours per week would earn around $35,844. With a cost-of-living index of 98.10 (below the national average), these earnings stretch further in West Valley City.
Hourly Rate Calculator
Schedule Comparison in West Valley City
| Schedule | Weekly | Monthly | Annual |
|---|---|---|---|
| Full-Time (40 hrs) | $1,194.80 | $5,177 | $62,130 |
| Part-Time (24 hrs) | $716.88 | $3,106 | $37,278 |
| Per Diem (16 hrs) | $477.92 | $2,071 | $24,852 |
Compare SC, LSC Wages With Similar Roles
| Role | Median Hourly |
|---|---|
| School Counselor (West Valley City) | $29.87 |
| 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 West Valley City, UT earn a median of $62,127 per year (2026 est.), which is 3.43% lower than the national median of $64,335 and 1.40% above the Utah state average of $61,269.
School Counselor Hourly Pay vs. Cost of Living
Working 24h/week at $29.87/hr = $37,278/year (purchasing power: $38,000).
Working 40h/week (full-time) = $62,130/year (purchasing power: $63,333).
CoL index: 98.1 (100 = national average). Your dollars stretch further here.
2019 BLS Actual
$25.95/hr
2025 BLS Actual
$29.27/hr
2026 Current Est.
$29.87/hr
2019–2027 Growth
+17.5%
Hourly Rate Trajectory for School Counselors in West Valley City (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 2.05% projection.
| Year | Hourly Rate | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $25.95/hr | Actual |
| 2020 | $26.44/hr | Actual |
| 2021 | $27.53/hr | Actual |
| 2022 | $27.36/hr | Actual |
| 2023 | $28.08/hr | Actual |
| 2024 | $28.71/hr | Actual |
| 2025 | $29.27/hr | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $29.87/hr | Estimated |
| 2027 | $30.48/hr | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, the median hourly rate for school counselors in West Valley City grew 12.8% from $25.95/hr (2019) to $29.27/hr (2025). At a 2.05% projected growth rate, hourly pay is expected to reach $30.48/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 West Valley City 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 West Valley City
Considering the earning potential in more detail, a part-time school counselor working 24 hours a week would take home considerably less annually than a full-time counterpart, emphasizing the financial pressures on those who choose less than full-time hours. For example, per diem positions for counselors can be lucrative, with private college consultants charging between $150 and $400 per hour in high-cost-of-living markets, indicating a stark contrast to the standard school funding model. In West Valley City, school counselors' hourly rates can also vary significantly based on the type of institution, such as K-12 public schools versus private or charter schools. Many counselors choose stability and health benefits over higher hourly rates, leading to complex considerations during negotiations. It’s important for counselors to be equipped with research on local pay standards and to articulate the value they bring when discussing compensation, given that the step-and-lane pay structure typically mirrors that of teachers.
More salary data for West Valley City, UT:
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 West Valley City. 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 West Valley City 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