School Counselor Hourly Pay in Woodbridge, VA: $29.27 (2026)
Quick Answer:Hourly pay for a school counselor working in Woodbridge, VA runs $29.27 at the median for 2026 — annualizing to $60,887 at a standard 2,080-hour year. Figures projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 21-1012). Weighted against Woodbridge's regional price level (BEA RPP 103.2, 3% above national), each hour of work buys what $28.36 nationally would. A 24-hour part-time schedule grosses $36,526 per year.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
In Woodbridge, Virginia, the school counselor hourly pay is projected to be $29.27 in 2026, which is slightly below the national median of $30.93. This hourly rate serves as a benchmark for both part-time and per-diem workers who engage in school-based activities such as providing elementary classroom guidance, facilitating middle school small groups, or offering individual counseling sessions at the high school level. Counselors working three days a week can expect a wage range that starts at approximately $22.00 for entry-level positions and may reach $45.37 for top earners, reflecting broad variability depending on experience and specific responsibilities. Given these figures are estimated from annual salary data, it highlights the need for professionals to consider how their compensation corresponds to the intensity of their roles in educational settings.
About the Woodbridge 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) | $22.00 | $176.02 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $24.12 | $193.00 |
| Median (P50) | $29.27 | $234.14 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $36.32 | $290.56 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $45.37 | $362.97 |
Estimated Annual Income by Work Schedule in Woodbridge
Based on $29.27/hr median hourly rate · 2026 est.
At $29.27/hr, a school counselor working full-time (40 hr/wk) in Woodbridge, VA can expect to earn approximately $60,877 per year (2026 est.). Part-time hygienists working 24 hours per week would earn around $35,122. With a cost-of-living index of 103.20 (above the national average), these earnings may be offset by higher expenses in Woodbridge.
Hourly Rate Calculator
Schedule Comparison in Woodbridge
| Schedule | Weekly | Monthly | Annual |
|---|---|---|---|
| Full-Time (40 hrs) | $1,170.72 | $5,073 | $60,877 |
| Part-Time (24 hrs) | $702.43 | $3,044 | $36,526 |
| Per Diem (16 hrs) | $468.29 | $2,029 | $24,351 |
Compare SC, LSC Wages With Similar Roles
| Role | Median Hourly |
|---|---|
| School Counselor (Woodbridge) | $29.27 |
| 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 Woodbridge, VA earn a median of $60,887 per year (2026 est.), which is 5.36% lower than the national median of $64,335 and 3.90% below the Virginia state average of $63,358.
School Counselor Hourly Pay vs. Cost of Living
Working 24h/week at $29.27/hr = $36,526/year (purchasing power: $35,394).
Working 40h/week (full-time) = $60,877/year (purchasing power: $58,990).
CoL index: 103.2 (100 = national average).
2019 BLS Actual
$25.43/hr
2025 BLS Actual
$28.68/hr
2026 Current Est.
$29.27/hr
2019–2027 Growth
+17.5%
Hourly Rate Trajectory for School Counselors in Woodbridge (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 2.05% projection.
| Year | Hourly Rate | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $25.43/hr | Actual |
| 2020 | $25.91/hr | Actual |
| 2021 | $26.98/hr | Actual |
| 2022 | $26.81/hr | Actual |
| 2023 | $27.51/hr | Actual |
| 2024 | $33.39/hr | Actual |
| 2025 | $28.68/hr | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $29.27/hr | Estimated |
| 2027 | $29.87/hr | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, the median hourly rate for school counselors in Woodbridge grew 12.8% from $25.43/hr (2019) to $28.68/hr (2025). At a 2.05% projected growth rate, hourly pay is expected to reach $29.87/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 Woodbridge 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 Woodbridge
When assessing part-time earning potential in this field, a school counselor working 24 hours per week might take home around $45,000 annually, significantly less than their full-time counterparts who benefit from comprehensive health insurance. Per diem pay scenarios for school counselors can vary widely, with private college consultants in high-cost-of-living areas charging $150 to $400 per hour for specialized services outside traditional school settings. Additionally, those engaging in extended summer counseling could see an increase of $5,000 to $15,000, enhancing their compensation significantly with continued engagement. Differences in hourly rates are further evident across various types of employers—public schools, charter institutions, private schools, and military education entities—as each operates within unique funding and salary frameworks. For counselors negotiating their worth in Woodbridge, understanding the balance between hourly pay and benefits can be crucial to making informed decisions about their careers in light of economic pressures and rising demands for mental health resources in schools.
More salary data for Woodbridge, 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 Woodbridge. 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 Woodbridge 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