School Counselor Hourly Pay in Norfolk, VA: $34.08 (2026)
Quick Answer:Hourly pay for a school counselor working in Norfolk, VA runs $34.08 at the median for 2026 — annualizing to $70,888 at a standard 2,080-hour year. Figures projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 21-1012). Weighted against Norfolk's regional price level (BEA RPP 103.2, 3% above national), each hour of work buys what $33.03 nationally would. A 24-hour part-time schedule grosses $42,538 per year.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
In 2026, the school counselor hourly pay in Norfolk, Virginia is projected to be $34.08, which is notably higher than the national median of $30.93. This hourly rate benefits both part-time school counselors, typically working three days a week, and per-diem counselors who may engage in various roles, from providing guidance lessons at elementary schools to offering individual counseling at high schools. For professionals in Norfolk, hourly compensation varies widely: while entry-level counselors start at approximately $22.18, experienced top earners can make around $52.82 per hour. This range highlights the broad spectrum of opportunities and challenges faced by school counselors in different educational settings, where their hourly rates are derived from the annual salary estimates based on 2025 BLS data, projected to 2026.
About the Norfolk 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) | $22.18 | $177.40 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $25.95 | $207.61 |
| Median (P50) | $34.08 | $272.68 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $43.63 | $349.01 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $52.82 | $422.57 |
Estimated Annual Income by Work Schedule in Norfolk
Based on $34.08/hr median hourly rate · 2026 est.
At $34.08/hr, a school counselor working full-time (40 hr/wk) in Norfolk, VA can expect to earn approximately $70,896 per year (2026 est.). Part-time hygienists working 24 hours per week would earn around $40,902. With a cost-of-living index of 103.20 (above the national average), these earnings may be offset by higher expenses in Norfolk.
Hourly Rate Calculator
Schedule Comparison in Norfolk
| Schedule | Weekly | Monthly | Annual |
|---|---|---|---|
| Full-Time (40 hrs) | $1,363.39 | $5,908 | $70,896 |
| Part-Time (24 hrs) | $818.03 | $3,545 | $42,538 |
| Per Diem (16 hrs) | $545.36 | $2,363 | $28,358 |
Compare SC, LSC Wages With Similar Roles
| Role | Median Hourly |
|---|---|
| School Counselor (Norfolk) | $34.08 |
| 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 Norfolk, VA earn a median of $70,888 per year (2026 est.), which is 10.19% higher than the national median of $64,335 and 11.90% above the Virginia state average of $63,349.
School Counselor Hourly Pay vs. Cost of Living
Working 24h/week at $34.08/hr = $42,538/year (purchasing power: $41,219).
Working 40h/week (full-time) = $70,896/year (purchasing power: $68,698).
CoL index: 103.2 (100 = national average).
2019 BLS Actual
$29.62/hr
2025 BLS Actual
$33.40/hr
2026 Current Est.
$34.08/hr
2019–2027 Growth
+17.5%
Hourly Rate Trajectory for School Counselors in Norfolk (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 2.05% projection.
| Year | Hourly Rate | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $29.62/hr | Actual |
| 2020 | $30.18/hr | Actual |
| 2021 | $31.42/hr | Actual |
| 2022 | $31.22/hr | Actual |
| 2023 | $32.04/hr | Actual |
| 2024 | $36.31/hr | Actual |
| 2025 | $33.40/hr | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $34.08/hr | Estimated |
| 2027 | $34.78/hr | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, the median hourly rate for school counselors in Norfolk grew 12.8% from $29.62/hr (2019) to $33.40/hr (2025). At a 2.05% projected growth rate, hourly pay is expected to reach $34.78/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 Norfolk 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 Norfolk
The potential earnings for school counselors engaging part-time at 24 hours per week significantly differ compared to full-time counterparts. For instance, while a part-time counselor may take home about $42,000 annually, full-time roles could yield salary figures exceeding $70,000, depending on the district. Per diem school counselors in Norfolk often encounter unique financial situations, where they charge between $150 and $400 per hour for specialized services like college admissions consulting in high-cost markets. Additionally, the variety of employer types—ranging from K-12 public schools to private institutions or DoDEA schools—can affect hourly wages, with benefits often influencing employment choices. Some counselors may opt for lower hourly rates in exchange for health insurance and job security, while others favor higher rates without benefits for more flexible arrangements. Effective negotiation skills are vital in this competitive field, particularly in Norfolk, where understanding local salary norms and organizational structures, such as the K-12 step-and-lane pay structure, can optimize career outcomes.
More salary data for Norfolk, VA:
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the hourly rate for school counselors in Norfolk 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 Norfolk. 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 Norfolk 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