School Counselor Hourly Pay in Sterling, VA: $29.22 (2026)
Quick Answer:Hourly pay for a school counselor working in Sterling, VA runs $29.22 at the median for 2026 — annualizing to $60,770 at a standard 2,080-hour year. Figures projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 21-1012). Weighted against Sterling's regional price level (BEA RPP 103.2, 3% above national), each hour of work buys what $28.31 nationally would. A 24-hour part-time schedule grosses $36,463 per year.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
In Sterling, VA, school counselors are projected to earn a median hourly pay of $29.22 in 2026, placing them slightly below the national hourly median of $30.93. This hourly rate translates to considerable opportunities for part-time counselors or those engaged in per-diem roles, particularly in settings like elementary classroom guidance, middle school group counseling, and high school individual counseling. For those in entry-level positions, hourly compensation begins around $21.75, while top earners in the field can reach as high as $45.29. These figures highlight the varying pay dynamics that can exist among professionals in Sterling, with many relying on this hourly pay structure derived from annual salary estimates.
About the Sterling 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) | $21.75 | $173.97 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $23.36 | $186.87 |
| Median (P50) | $29.22 | $233.74 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $37.28 | $298.23 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $45.29 | $362.32 |
Estimated Annual Income by Work Schedule in Sterling
Based on $29.22/hr median hourly rate · 2026 est.
At $29.22/hr, a school counselor working full-time (40 hr/wk) in Sterling, VA can expect to earn approximately $60,771 per year (2026 est.). Part-time hygienists working 24 hours per week would earn around $35,060. With a cost-of-living index of 103.20 (above the national average), these earnings may be offset by higher expenses in Sterling.
Hourly Rate Calculator
Schedule Comparison in Sterling
| Schedule | Weekly | Monthly | Annual |
|---|---|---|---|
| Full-Time (40 hrs) | $1,168.68 | $5,064 | $60,771 |
| Part-Time (24 hrs) | $701.21 | $3,039 | $36,463 |
| Per Diem (16 hrs) | $467.47 | $2,026 | $24,308 |
Compare SC, LSC Wages With Similar Roles
| Role | Median Hourly |
|---|---|
| School Counselor (Sterling) | $29.22 |
| 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 Sterling, VA earn a median of $60,770 per year (2026 est.), which is 5.54% lower than the national median of $64,335 and 4.10% below the Virginia state average of $63,368.
School Counselor Hourly Pay vs. Cost of Living
Working 24h/week at $29.22/hr = $36,463/year (purchasing power: $35,332).
Working 40h/week (full-time) = $60,771/year (purchasing power: $58,887).
CoL index: 103.2 (100 = national average).
2019 BLS Actual
$25.39/hr
2025 BLS Actual
$28.63/hr
2026 Current Est.
$29.22/hr
2019–2027 Growth
+17.5%
Hourly Rate Trajectory for School Counselors in Sterling (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 2.05% projection.
| Year | Hourly Rate | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $25.39/hr | Actual |
| 2020 | $25.87/hr | Actual |
| 2021 | $26.93/hr | Actual |
| 2022 | $26.77/hr | Actual |
| 2023 | $27.46/hr | Actual |
| 2024 | $33.32/hr | Actual |
| 2025 | $28.63/hr | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $29.22/hr | Estimated |
| 2027 | $29.82/hr | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, the median hourly rate for school counselors in Sterling grew 12.8% from $25.39/hr (2019) to $28.63/hr (2025). At a 2.05% projected growth rate, hourly pay is expected to reach $29.82/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 Sterling 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 Sterling
Evaluating the potential for part-time school counselors, those working three days a week—approximately 24 hours—could expect annual earnings significantly lower than their full-time counterparts, thereby requiring careful financial planning. Meanwhile, per-diem or agency counselors can experience dramatically different pay scales; for instance, private college counselors in high-cost areas may charge between $150 to $400 per hour for specialized services such as college admissions consulting. Although hourly roles across different employment types—public schools, charter networks, and private institutions—might command varying rates, many school counselors must weigh the trade-off between lower hourly wages with benefits and higher hourly earners without health insurance. Negotiation tactics specific to Sterling positions, such as being well-informed about local salary ranges and understanding the nuances of a K-12 step-and-lane pay structure, can empower counselors to secure more favorable compensation arrangements.
More salary data for Sterling, VA:
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the hourly rate for school counselors in Sterling in 2026?
How much do part-time school counselors make in Sterling?
Are school counselors in Sterling paid hourly or salary?
How much does a full-time school counselor make per year in Sterling?
Do school counselors earn more per hour working part-time in Sterling?
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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 Sterling. 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 Sterling 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