School Counselor Hourly Pay in Newport News, VA: $30.69 (2026)
Quick Answer:Hourly pay for a school counselor working in Newport News, VA runs $30.69 at the median for 2026 — annualizing to $63,828 at a standard 2,080-hour year. Figures projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 21-1012). Weighted against Newport News's regional price level (BEA RPP 103.2, 3% above national), each hour of work buys what $29.73 nationally would. A 24-hour part-time schedule grosses $38,297 per year.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
In Newport News, Virginia, school counselors earn a median hourly rate of $30.69, slightly below the national median of $30.93. This hourly rate significantly impacts the ability of part-time counselors to manage their schedules and financial goals. For example, an individual working three days a week might find this rate offers a viable path to balance work and personal commitments while still contributing to essential school environments, such as classrooms and counseling offices. The hourly compensation ranges from $22.13 for entry-level positions to as much as $47.57 for those at the top of their field, providing a wide spectrum of earning potential for professionals. These figures are reflective of estimates derived from annual salary data, illuminating how this profession is compensated in typical educational settings across Newport News.
About the Newport News 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) | $22.13 | $177.08 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $24.90 | $199.20 |
| Median (P50) | $30.69 | $245.49 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $39.28 | $314.23 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $47.57 | $380.52 |
Estimated Annual Income by Work Schedule in Newport News
Based on $30.69/hr median hourly rate · 2026 est.
At $30.69/hr, a school counselor working full-time (40 hr/wk) in Newport News, VA can expect to earn approximately $63,828 per year (2026 est.). Part-time hygienists working 24 hours per week would earn around $36,824. With a cost-of-living index of 103.20 (above the national average), these earnings may be offset by higher expenses in Newport News.
Hourly Rate Calculator
Schedule Comparison in Newport News
| Schedule | Weekly | Monthly | Annual |
|---|---|---|---|
| Full-Time (40 hrs) | $1,227.46 | $5,319 | $63,828 |
| Part-Time (24 hrs) | $736.47 | $3,191 | $38,297 |
| Per Diem (16 hrs) | $490.98 | $2,128 | $25,531 |
Compare SC, LSC Wages With Similar Roles
| Role | Median Hourly |
|---|---|
| School Counselor (Newport News) | $30.69 |
| 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 Newport News, VA earn a median of $63,828 per year (2026 est.), which is 0.79% lower than the national median of $64,335 and 0.80% above the Virginia state average of $63,322.
School Counselor Hourly Pay vs. Cost of Living
Working 24h/week at $30.69/hr = $38,297/year (purchasing power: $37,109).
Working 40h/week (full-time) = $63,828/year (purchasing power: $61,849).
CoL index: 103.2 (100 = national average).
2019 BLS Actual
$26.66/hr
2025 BLS Actual
$30.07/hr
2026 Current Est.
$30.69/hr
2019–2027 Growth
+17.5%
Hourly Rate Trajectory for School Counselors in Newport News (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 2.05% projection.
| Year | Hourly Rate | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $26.66/hr | Actual |
| 2020 | $27.17/hr | Actual |
| 2021 | $28.28/hr | Actual |
| 2022 | $28.11/hr | Actual |
| 2023 | $28.85/hr | Actual |
| 2024 | $35.00/hr | Actual |
| 2025 | $30.07/hr | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $30.69/hr | Estimated |
| 2027 | $31.32/hr | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, the median hourly rate for school counselors in Newport News grew 12.8% from $26.66/hr (2019) to $30.07/hr (2025). At a 2.05% projected growth rate, hourly pay is expected to reach $31.32/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 Newport News 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 Newport News
When considering part-time employment, a school counselor working 24 hours per week can expect to take home about $38,350 annually, which contrasts sharply with full-time salaries. On a per-diem basis, school counselors may find themselves in varying roles, from covering absences in K-12 settings to offering consulting services in private college admissions, where rates can soar to $150-$400 an hour in high cost of living markets. Newport News school counselors face competition as they weigh employment opportunities across various educational settings, including public schools and charter networks. While public school roles often come with health benefits, these may come with a lower hourly pay than private and per diem positions that do not provide such advantages. Counselors should negotiate thoughtfully, leveraging their experience and local market trends to secure compensation that reflects their skills while being aware of the trade-offs involved with benefits versus higher pay.
More salary data for Newport News, 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 Newport News. 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 Newport News 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