School Counselor Hourly Pay in Lacey, WA: $39.61 (2026)
Quick Answer:Hourly pay for a school counselor working in Lacey, WA runs $39.61 at the median for 2026 — annualizing to $82,377 at a standard 2,080-hour year. Figures projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 21-1012). Weighted against Lacey's regional price level (BEA RPP 107.4, 7% above national), each hour of work buys what $36.88 nationally would. A 24-hour part-time schedule grosses $49,428 per year.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
In 2026, the school counselor hourly pay in Lacey, Washington, is projected to reach a median of $39.61, significantly outpacing the national hourly median of $30.93. This elevated rate can make part-time positions appealing for those seeking flexible work arrangements, allowing school counselors to balance their professional and personal lives while delivering guidance in various settings like elementary schools, middle school group therapy, high school counseling offices, and college resource centers. For part-time counselors working three days a week, the hourly rate provides a solid income, especially when considering the possible ranging earnings from $28.88 for entry-level positions to $61.38 for those at the top of their careers in Lacey. The hourly figures are derived from annual salary data, projecting strong earning potential for those committed to supporting student mental health.
About the Lacey Market
Salary estimated from Washington average ($78,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
School Counselor Hourly Wage Breakdown
| Percentile | Hourly Rate | Per 8hr Shift |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $28.88 | $231.04 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $32.18 | $257.41 |
| Median (P50) | $39.61 | $316.84 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $49.96 | $399.71 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $61.38 | $491.06 |
Estimated Annual Income by Work Schedule in Lacey
Based on $39.61/hr median hourly rate · 2026 est.
At $39.61/hr, a school counselor working full-time (40 hr/wk) in Lacey, WA can expect to earn approximately $82,380 per year (2026 est.). Part-time hygienists working 24 hours per week would earn around $47,527. With a cost-of-living index of 107.40 (above the national average), these earnings may be offset by higher expenses in Lacey.
Hourly Rate Calculator
Schedule Comparison in Lacey
| Schedule | Weekly | Monthly | Annual |
|---|---|---|---|
| Full-Time (40 hrs) | $1,584.22 | $6,865 | $82,380 |
| Part-Time (24 hrs) | $950.53 | $4,119 | $49,428 |
| Per Diem (16 hrs) | $633.69 | $2,746 | $32,952 |
Compare SC, LSC Wages With Similar Roles
| Role | Median Hourly |
|---|---|
| School Counselor (Lacey) | $39.61 |
| 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 Lacey, WA earn a median of $82,377 per year (2026 est.), which is 28.04% higher than the national median of $64,335 and 0.80% below the Washington state average of $83,041.
School Counselor Hourly Pay vs. Cost of Living
Working 24h/week at $39.61/hr = $49,428/year (purchasing power: $46,022).
Working 40h/week (full-time) = $82,380/year (purchasing power: $76,704).
CoL index: 107.4 (100 = national average).
2019 BLS Actual
$34.41/hr
2025 BLS Actual
$38.81/hr
2026 Current Est.
$39.61/hr
2019–2027 Growth
+17.5%
Hourly Rate Trajectory for School Counselors in Lacey (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 2.05% projection.
| Year | Hourly Rate | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $34.41/hr | Actual |
| 2020 | $35.06/hr | Actual |
| 2021 | $36.51/hr | Actual |
| 2022 | $36.28/hr | Actual |
| 2023 | $37.23/hr | Actual |
| 2024 | $39.55/hr | Actual |
| 2025 | $38.81/hr | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $39.61/hr | Estimated |
| 2027 | $40.42/hr | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, the median hourly rate for school counselors in Lacey grew 12.8% from $34.41/hr (2019) to $38.81/hr (2025). At a 2.05% projected growth rate, hourly pay is expected to reach $40.42/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 Lacey 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 Lacey
Examining the opportunities for part-time and per-diem work reveals intriguing earning dynamics for school counselors in Lacey. A counselor working 24 hours per week may see annual earnings significantly different from those in full-time roles. While full-time counselors may enjoy the stability of a consistent paycheck, part-time professionals, particularly those engaged in per diem roles, can command rates substantially higher than their full-time counterparts when specializing in areas like college admissions counseling, which often sees rates range from $150 to $400 per hour in high-cost markets. Positions across different educational settings in Lacey, including public K-12 schools, private institutions, and even DoDEA schools, frequently have varying compensation structures. Some counselors may opt for roles with lower hourly pay if they come with comprehensive benefits like health insurance, while others may prefer higher hourly wages without the security of a benefits package. Negotiation skills become crucial in this environment, especially as the demand for school counselors increases with expanding mental health funding since the post-COVID era, making it essential for professionals to understand their worth in the local job market.
More salary data for Lacey, WA:
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the hourly rate for school counselors in Lacey in 2026?
How much do part-time school counselors make in Lacey?
Are school counselors in Lacey paid hourly or salary?
How much does a full-time school counselor make per year in Lacey?
Do school counselors earn more per hour working part-time in Lacey?
Related Pages
Compare Salaries
Career Resources
Nearby Cities in Washington
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 Lacey. 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 Lacey 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