School Counselor Hourly Pay in Virginia Beach, VA: $33.58 (2026)
Quick Answer:Hourly pay for a school counselor working in Virginia Beach, VA runs $33.58 at the median for 2026 — annualizing to $69,846 at a standard 2,080-hour year. Figures projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 21-1012). Weighted against Virginia Beach's regional price level (BEA RPP 97.9, 2% below national), each hour of work buys what $34.29 nationally would. A 24-hour part-time schedule grosses $41,914 per year.
Official BLS data · View source
In Virginia Beach, the projected school counselor hourly pay for 2026 is expected to be $33.58, which surpasses the national hourly median of $30.93. For those working part-time, such as a school counselor employed three days a week, this rate allows for a stable income while still offering flexibility. Typically, school counselors can find themselves in various environments, from conducting elementary classroom guidance lessons to assisting in middle school small group counseling or high school individual counseling sessions. The hourly pay in this region varies significantly, ranging from $22.37 for entry-level positions to $49.71 for seasoned professionals, reflecting the differences in experience and roles within the education system. This data, based on 2025 BLS OEWS figures and projected into 2026, highlights the competitive opportunities available for school counselors in Virginia Beach.
School Counselor Hourly Wage Breakdown
| Percentile | Hourly Rate | Per 8hr Shift |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $22.37 | $178.95 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $28.22 | $225.73 |
| Median (P50) | $33.58 | $268.68 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $40.13 | $321.01 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $49.71 | $397.67 |
Estimated Annual Income by Work Schedule in Virginia Beach
Based on $33.58/hr median hourly rate · 2026 est.
At $33.58/hr, a school counselor working full-time (40 hr/wk) in Virginia Beach, VA can expect to earn approximately $69,856 per year (2026 est.). Part-time hygienists working 24 hours per week would earn around $40,302. With a cost-of-living index of 97.94 (below the national average), these earnings stretch further in Virginia Beach.
Hourly Rate Calculator
Schedule Comparison in Virginia Beach
| Schedule | Weekly | Monthly | Annual |
|---|---|---|---|
| Full-Time (40 hrs) | $1,343.39 | $5,821 | $69,856 |
| Part-Time (24 hrs) | $806.03 | $3,493 | $41,914 |
| Per Diem (16 hrs) | $537.35 | $2,329 | $27,942 |
Compare SC, LSC Wages With Similar Roles
| Role | Median Hourly |
|---|---|
| School Counselor (Virginia Beach) | $33.58 |
| 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 Virginia Beach, VA earn a median of $69,846 per year (2026 est.), which is 8.57% higher than the national median of $64,335 and 10.30% above the Virginia state average of $63,324.
School Counselor Hourly Pay vs. Cost of Living
Working 24h/week at $33.58/hr = $41,914/year (purchasing power: $42,795).
Working 40h/week (full-time) = $69,856/year (purchasing power: $71,325).
CoL index: 97.941 (100 = national average). Your dollars stretch further here.
2019 BLS Actual
$31.49/hr
2025 BLS Actual
$32.91/hr
2026 Current Est.
$33.58/hr
2019–2027 Growth
+8.8%
Hourly Rate Trajectory for School Counselors in Virginia Beach (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 2.05% projection.
| Year | Hourly Rate | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $31.49/hr | Actual |
| 2020 | $31.39/hr | Actual |
| 2021 | $30.04/hr | Actual |
| 2022 | $29.33/hr | Actual |
| 2023 | $29.69/hr | Actual |
| 2024 | $31.98/hr | Actual |
| 2025 | $32.91/hr | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $33.58/hr | Estimated |
| 2027 | $34.27/hr | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, the median hourly rate for school counselors in Virginia Beach grew 4.5% from $31.49/hr (2019) to $32.91/hr (2025). At a 2.05% projected growth rate, hourly pay is expected to reach $34.27/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 Virginia Beach 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 Virginia Beach
Examining the financial landscape for school counselors in Virginia Beach reveals distinct opportunities for both part-time and per-diem workers. A school counselor working 24 hours a week might anticipate an annual take-home pay significantly less than their full-time counterparts, potentially around $42,000. Meanwhile, per diem options offer an enticing alternative, with rates for private college counselors fluctuating between $150 and $400 per hour in high-cost-of-living (HCOL) markets. School counselors' earnings can also differ widely based on their employment setting. For instance, those in K-12 public schools might accept lower hourly wages for the benefits of health insurance, while private and charter schools may command higher rates without benefits. Additionally, effective negotiation is essential for hourly workers in Virginia Beach, especially in balancing the need for health coverage against the desire for higher pay. Understanding the step-and-lane pay structure common in K-12 settings can further aid counselors in making informed career decisions.
More salary data for Virginia Beach, 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 Virginia Beach. 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