School Counselor Hourly Pay in Chesapeake, VA: $33.71 (2026)
Quick Answer:Hourly pay for a school counselor working in Chesapeake, VA runs $33.71 at the median for 2026 — annualizing to $70,118 at a standard 2,080-hour year. Figures projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 21-1012). Weighted against Chesapeake's regional price level (BEA RPP 103.2, 3% above national), each hour of work buys what $32.66 nationally would. A 24-hour part-time schedule grosses $42,066 per year.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
In Chesapeake, Virginia, the projected median hourly pay for school counselors is $33.71, which exceeds the national median of $30.93 by nearly 9%. This attractive hourly rate greatly influences part-time and per-diem roles, often taken up by those working three days a week in diverse settings such as elementary schools, high school counseling offices, and college career centers. Typically, these paraprofessionals engage in classroom guidance lessons, small group counseling, or crisis intervention, managing a workload that adjusts to varying student needs. For school counselors in Chesapeake, hourly earnings can vary widely, with entry-level professionals earning around $21.50 and more experienced counselors making up to $52.25 depending on their expertise and role within the school system.
About the Chesapeake 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) | $21.50 | $172.02 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $27.21 | $217.65 |
| Median (P50) | $33.71 | $269.66 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $43.15 | $345.17 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $52.25 | $418.00 |
Estimated Annual Income by Work Schedule in Chesapeake
Based on $33.71/hr median hourly rate · 2026 est.
At $33.71/hr, a school counselor working full-time (40 hr/wk) in Chesapeake, VA can expect to earn approximately $70,111 per year (2026 est.). Part-time hygienists working 24 hours per week would earn around $40,449. With a cost-of-living index of 103.20 (above the national average), these earnings may be offset by higher expenses in Chesapeake.
Hourly Rate Calculator
Schedule Comparison in Chesapeake
| Schedule | Weekly | Monthly | Annual |
|---|---|---|---|
| Full-Time (40 hrs) | $1,348.28 | $5,843 | $70,111 |
| Part-Time (24 hrs) | $808.97 | $3,506 | $42,066 |
| Per Diem (16 hrs) | $539.31 | $2,337 | $28,044 |
Compare SC, LSC Wages With Similar Roles
| Role | Median Hourly |
|---|---|
| School Counselor (Chesapeake) | $33.71 |
| 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 Chesapeake, VA earn a median of $70,118 per year (2026 est.), which is 8.99% higher than the national median of $64,335 and 10.70% above the Virginia state average of $63,340.
School Counselor Hourly Pay vs. Cost of Living
Working 24h/week at $33.71/hr = $42,066/year (purchasing power: $40,762).
Working 40h/week (full-time) = $70,111/year (purchasing power: $67,937).
CoL index: 103.2 (100 = national average).
2019 BLS Actual
$29.29/hr
2025 BLS Actual
$33.03/hr
2026 Current Est.
$33.71/hr
2019–2027 Growth
+17.5%
Hourly Rate Trajectory for School Counselors in Chesapeake (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 2.05% projection.
| Year | Hourly Rate | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $29.29/hr | Actual |
| 2020 | $29.84/hr | Actual |
| 2021 | $31.07/hr | Actual |
| 2022 | $30.88/hr | Actual |
| 2023 | $31.68/hr | Actual |
| 2024 | $35.91/hr | Actual |
| 2025 | $33.03/hr | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $33.71/hr | Estimated |
| 2027 | $34.40/hr | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, the median hourly rate for school counselors in Chesapeake grew 12.8% from $29.29/hr (2019) to $33.03/hr (2025). At a 2.05% projected growth rate, hourly pay is expected to reach $34.40/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 Chesapeake 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 Chesapeake
For part-time counselors in Chesapeake working a standard schedule of 24 hours per week, the annual earnings can be significantly lower than those in full-time positions, typically translating to about $42,000 annually when considering the limitations of their hours. In this high-cost-of-living market, per-diem school counselors may charge between $150 and $400 per hour for specialized services like direct-pay college admissions consulting, creating a lucrative niche for credentialed professionals. There’s a trade-off between hourly pay and benefits; counselors employed in K-12 public school districts across Chesapeake typically enjoy health insurance and retirement plans, while those opting for higher hourly wages in private settings might sacrifice those benefits. Understanding this balance is vital when navigating job offers, and aspiring counselors should focus on negotiating their hourly rate, considering local market trends as well as the specific job structure and benefits offered.
More salary data for Chesapeake, VA:
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the hourly rate for school counselors in Chesapeake in 2026?
How much do part-time school counselors make in Chesapeake?
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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 Chesapeake. 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 Chesapeake 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