School Counselor Hourly Pay in Lake Stevens, WA: $38.62 (2026)
Quick Answer:Hourly pay for a school counselor working in Lake Stevens, WA runs $38.62 at the median for 2026 — annualizing to $80,331 at a standard 2,080-hour year. Figures projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 21-1012). Weighted against Lake Stevens's regional price level (BEA RPP 107.4, 7% above national), each hour of work buys what $35.96 nationally would. A 24-hour part-time schedule grosses $48,192 per year.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
In Lake Stevens, WA, the school counselor hourly pay is projected to be $38.62 in 2026, which significantly surpasses the national hourly median of $30.93. This disparity reflects the local demand for skilled professionals capable of addressing the diverse needs of students in various educational settings, such as elementary classroom guidance lessons, middle school small group counseling, and high school individual counseling offices. For part-time counselors working three days a week, the reliable income derived from this hourly rate offers flexibility while still providing a substantial paycheck, which ranges from $29.26 for entry-level positions to $59.41 for top earners in the area. These estimates are derived from annual salary data, painting an informative picture of the potential earnings available for school counselors in Lake Stevens.
About the Lake Stevens 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) | $29.26 | $234.06 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $32.10 | $256.84 |
| Median (P50) | $38.62 | $308.93 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $48.20 | $385.59 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $59.41 | $475.31 |
Estimated Annual Income by Work Schedule in Lake Stevens
Based on $38.62/hr median hourly rate · 2026 est.
At $38.62/hr, a school counselor working full-time (40 hr/wk) in Lake Stevens, WA can expect to earn approximately $80,321 per year (2026 est.). Part-time hygienists working 24 hours per week would earn around $46,339. With a cost-of-living index of 107.40 (above the national average), these earnings may be offset by higher expenses in Lake Stevens.
Hourly Rate Calculator
Schedule Comparison in Lake Stevens
| Schedule | Weekly | Monthly | Annual |
|---|---|---|---|
| Full-Time (40 hrs) | $1,544.63 | $6,693 | $80,321 |
| Part-Time (24 hrs) | $926.78 | $4,016 | $48,192 |
| Per Diem (16 hrs) | $617.85 | $2,677 | $32,128 |
Compare SC, LSC Wages With Similar Roles
| Role | Median Hourly |
|---|---|
| School Counselor (Lake Stevens) | $38.62 |
| 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 Lake Stevens, WA earn a median of $80,331 per year (2026 est.), which is 24.86% higher than the national median of $64,335 and 3.30% below the Washington state average of $83,072.
School Counselor Hourly Pay vs. Cost of Living
Working 24h/week at $38.62/hr = $48,192/year (purchasing power: $44,872).
Working 40h/week (full-time) = $80,321/year (purchasing power: $74,786).
CoL index: 107.4 (100 = national average).
2019 BLS Actual
$33.55/hr
2025 BLS Actual
$37.84/hr
2026 Current Est.
$38.62/hr
2019–2027 Growth
+17.5%
Hourly Rate Trajectory for School Counselors in Lake Stevens (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 2.05% projection.
| Year | Hourly Rate | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $33.55/hr | Actual |
| 2020 | $34.19/hr | Actual |
| 2021 | $35.59/hr | Actual |
| 2022 | $35.38/hr | Actual |
| 2023 | $36.30/hr | Actual |
| 2024 | $38.95/hr | Actual |
| 2025 | $37.84/hr | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $38.62/hr | Estimated |
| 2027 | $39.41/hr | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, the median hourly rate for school counselors in Lake Stevens grew 12.8% from $33.55/hr (2019) to $37.84/hr (2025). At a 2.05% projected growth rate, hourly pay is expected to reach $39.41/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 Lake Stevens 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 Lake Stevens
Considering part-time work as a school counselor in Lake Stevens, earning can vary based on the type of employment arrangement. A counselor working three days a week for 24 hours can take home about $47,094 annually, considerably less than a full-time counterpart, but still viable given the flexible work schedule. The reality of per-diem arrangements can be lucrative, as private college counselors in high-cost areas often charge between $150-$400 per hour for services such as college admissions consulting, which highlights the potential for additional income streams. Hourly rates can also differ by employer type; public school districts may follow structured salary schedules, while charter and private schools might offer more competitive rates. Counselors need to weigh the trade-offs between higher hourly wages without benefits and lower pay with comprehensive health insurance options. As a practical tip for those seeking hourly work in Lake Stevens, focusing on building relationships within the school community and negotiating effectively at the start of an agreement can significantly influence future earnings.
More salary data for Lake Stevens, WA:
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 Lake Stevens. 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 Lake Stevens 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