School Counselor Hourly Pay in Ashburn, VA: $29.81 (2026)
Quick Answer:Hourly pay for a school counselor working in Ashburn, VA runs $29.81 at the median for 2026 — annualizing to $62,008 at a standard 2,080-hour year. Figures projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 21-1012). Weighted against Ashburn's regional price level (BEA RPP 103.2, 3% above national), each hour of work buys what $28.88 nationally would. A 24-hour part-time schedule grosses $37,201 per year.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
In Ashburn, Virginia, the school counselor hourly pay is projected to reach a median of $29.81 in 2026, slightly below the national average of $30.93. This rate provides a considerable earning potential for part-time workers, such as those who may opt for a three-day workweek, which could equate to approximately 24 hours. Within this profession, hourly compensation spans from $21.51 at the entry-level (10th percentile) to $46.21 for top earners (90th percentile). For school counselors, these hourly rates may reflect their responsibilities in various settings, including elementary classroom guidance sessions, middle school group counseling, high school individual counseling offices, and additional tasks such as crisis response team coordination. Understanding these figures can help both new and seasoned counselors make informed decisions about their work arrangements and financial planning.
About the Ashburn Market
Salary estimated from Virginia average ($70,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
School Counselor Hourly Wage Breakdown
| Percentile | Hourly Rate | Per 8hr Shift |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $21.51 | $172.10 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $24.11 | $192.92 |
| Median (P50) | $29.81 | $238.47 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $38.16 | $305.25 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $46.21 | $369.67 |
Estimated Annual Income by Work Schedule in Ashburn
Based on $29.81/hr median hourly rate · 2026 est.
At $29.81/hr, a school counselor working full-time (40 hr/wk) in Ashburn, VA can expect to earn approximately $62,002 per year (2026 est.). Part-time hygienists working 24 hours per week would earn around $35,771. With a cost-of-living index of 103.20 (above the national average), these earnings may be offset by higher expenses in Ashburn.
Hourly Rate Calculator
Schedule Comparison in Ashburn
| Schedule | Weekly | Monthly | Annual |
|---|---|---|---|
| Full-Time (40 hrs) | $1,192.35 | $5,167 | $62,002 |
| Part-Time (24 hrs) | $715.41 | $3,100 | $37,201 |
| Per Diem (16 hrs) | $476.94 | $2,067 | $24,801 |
Compare SC, LSC Wages With Similar Roles
| Role | Median Hourly |
|---|---|
| School Counselor (Ashburn) | $29.81 |
| 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 Ashburn, VA earn a median of $62,008 per year (2026 est.), which is 3.62% lower than the national median of $64,335 and 2.10% below the Virginia state average of $63,338.
School Counselor Hourly Pay vs. Cost of Living
Working 24h/week at $29.81/hr = $37,201/year (purchasing power: $36,048).
Working 40h/week (full-time) = $62,002/year (purchasing power: $60,080).
CoL index: 103.2 (100 = national average).
2019 BLS Actual
$25.90/hr
2025 BLS Actual
$29.21/hr
2026 Current Est.
$29.81/hr
2019–2027 Growth
+17.5%
Hourly Rate Trajectory for School Counselors in Ashburn (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 2.05% projection.
| Year | Hourly Rate | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $25.90/hr | Actual |
| 2020 | $26.39/hr | Actual |
| 2021 | $27.48/hr | Actual |
| 2022 | $27.31/hr | Actual |
| 2023 | $28.02/hr | Actual |
| 2024 | $34.00/hr | Actual |
| 2025 | $29.21/hr | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $29.81/hr | Estimated |
| 2027 | $30.42/hr | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, the median hourly rate for school counselors in Ashburn grew 12.8% from $25.90/hr (2019) to $29.21/hr (2025). At a 2.05% projected growth rate, hourly pay is expected to reach $30.42/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 Ashburn 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 Ashburn
In terms of overall earning potential, part-time school counselors working three days a week may take home significantly less than their full-time counterparts, which typically participate in a K-12 step-and-lane pay structure. For instance, their annual earnings would reflect a scaled-down version of full-time pay, directly impacting their financial stability. Additionally, per diem school counselor pay in Ashburn could vary drastically; private college counselors often charge between $150 to $400 per hour for specialized services such as college admissions consulting. This scenario can create a trade-off for school counselors who might seek higher hourly wages without benefits versus a lower hourly rate that includes health coverage. For those adjusting their pay negotiations in Ashburn, considering the type of employer is critical—pursuing positions in K-12 public school districts, charter networks, or private institutions can all yield varied pay rates. Exploring options in the Department of Defense Education Activity (DoDEA) schools or post-secondary career services may also present alternative pathways for maximizing income while navigating the evolving needs of students in the post-COVID educational landscape.
More salary data for Ashburn, VA:
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 Ashburn. 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 Ashburn 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