School Counselor Hourly Pay in Charlottesville, VA: $30.45 (2026)
Quick Answer:Hourly pay for a school counselor working in Charlottesville, VA runs $30.45 at the median for 2026 — annualizing to $63,335 at a standard 2,080-hour year. Figures projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 21-1012). Weighted against Charlottesville's regional price level (BEA RPP 99.1, 1% below national), each hour of work buys what $30.71 nationally would. A 24-hour part-time schedule grosses $38,004 per year.
Official BLS data · View source
In Charlottesville, Virginia, the school counselor hourly pay is projected to land at $30.45 in 2026, which is slightly below the national median of $30.93. This rate is indicative of the financial landscape for part-time school counselors working in diverse settings, including elementary schools, middle schools facilitating small group sessions, and high school counseling environments. For those working part-time, perhaps three days a week, this hourly rate allows a reasonable income while balancing other responsibilities. The projected hourly range spans from $19.98 for entry-level positions to $41.69 for top earners, reflecting the varying levels of experience and the demands of different roles within the education sector. The data confirms the nuances of hourly compensation in this profession, providing a clearer picture for aspiring counselors in the area.
School Counselor Hourly Wage Breakdown
| Percentile | Hourly Rate | Per 8hr Shift |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $19.98 | $159.85 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $26.22 | $209.73 |
| Median (P50) | $30.45 | $243.61 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $37.90 | $303.21 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $41.69 | $333.50 |
Estimated Annual Income by Work Schedule in Charlottesville
Based on $30.45/hr median hourly rate · 2026 est.
At $30.45/hr, a school counselor working full-time (40 hr/wk) in Charlottesville, VA can expect to earn approximately $63,340 per year (2026 est.). Part-time hygienists working 24 hours per week would earn around $36,542. With a cost-of-living index of 99.15 (below the national average), these earnings stretch further in Charlottesville.
Hourly Rate Calculator
Schedule Comparison in Charlottesville
| Schedule | Weekly | Monthly | Annual |
|---|---|---|---|
| Full-Time (40 hrs) | $1,218.07 | $5,278 | $63,340 |
| Part-Time (24 hrs) | $730.84 | $3,167 | $38,004 |
| Per Diem (16 hrs) | $487.23 | $2,111 | $25,336 |
Compare SC, LSC Wages With Similar Roles
| Role | Median Hourly |
|---|---|
| School Counselor (Charlottesville) | $30.45 |
| 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 Charlottesville, VA earn a median of $63,335 per year (2026 est.), which is 1.55% lower than the national median of $64,335.
School Counselor Hourly Pay vs. Cost of Living
Working 24h/week at $30.45/hr = $38,004/year (purchasing power: $38,331).
Working 40h/week (full-time) = $63,340/year (purchasing power: $63,885).
CoL index: 99.146 (100 = national average). Your dollars stretch further here.
2019 BLS Actual
$29.49/hr
2025 BLS Actual
$29.84/hr
2026 Current Est.
$30.45/hr
2019–2027 Growth
+5.4%
Hourly Rate Trajectory for School Counselors in Charlottesville (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 2.05% projection.
| Year | Hourly Rate | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $29.49/hr | Actual |
| 2020 | $28.22/hr | Actual |
| 2021 | $30.06/hr | Actual |
| 2022 | $30.40/hr | Actual |
| 2023 | $29.00/hr | Actual |
| 2024 | $29.80/hr | Actual |
| 2025 | $29.84/hr | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $30.45/hr | Estimated |
| 2027 | $31.08/hr | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, the median hourly rate for school counselors in Charlottesville grew 1.2% from $29.49/hr (2019) to $29.84/hr (2025). At a 2.05% projected growth rate, hourly pay is expected to reach $31.08/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 Charlottesville 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 Charlottesville
Considering part-time commitments, a school counselor working 24 hours a week in Charlottesville could expect to take home approximately $37,531 annually, which falls significantly short compared to full-time earnings. For professionals seeking flexible hours, per diem school counselor pay in Charlottesville can range dramatically, with private college counselors charging between $150-$400 per hour for specialized guidance in high-cost-of-living markets. The hourly rates also shift based on employer type; public K-12 schools typically adhere to structured pay scales similar to teachers, while private and charter institutions may offer varied compensation. Some counselors may opt for lower hourly pay within public schools in exchange for benefits like health insurance, a crucial consideration in financial planning. Negotiation can be key; having awareness of these dynamics and understanding worth in specific roles will substantially support new hires or seasoned counselors as they enter the field. The evolving role, particularly with the increased focus on mental health post-COVID, emphasizes the need for well-compensated professionals, aligned with ASCA recommendations for optimized counselor-to-student ratios.
More salary data for Charlottesville, VA:
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the hourly rate for school counselors in Charlottesville in 2026?
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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 Charlottesville. Part-time and full-time income estimates assume consistent weekly hours and do not account for overtime, benefits, or seasonal variation.
Data Sources & Methodology
Source: BLS, OEWS, 7-year dataset (–). Per-city data from annual BLS metropolitan area surveys.
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