School Counselor Hourly Pay in Maple Valley, WA: $37.99 (2026)
Quick Answer:Hourly pay for a school counselor working in Maple Valley, WA runs $37.99 at the median for 2026 — annualizing to $79,015 at a standard 2,080-hour year. Figures projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 21-1012). Weighted against Maple Valley's regional price level (BEA RPP 107.4, 7% above national), each hour of work buys what $35.38 nationally would. A 24-hour part-time schedule grosses $47,416 per year.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
In Maple Valley, Washington, school counselors can expect a median hourly rate of $37.99, which is significantly higher than the national median of $30.93. For those looking to work part-time, such as three days a week, this translates to a robust income while balancing their professional and personal lives. With pay ranging from $27.87 at the entry level to $58.88 for top earners, school counselors have a variety of income opportunities across different educational settings. The estimated hourly figures are derived from overarching annual salary data, reflecting the realities of roles such as guiding elementary students, facilitating middle school small groups, conducting individual sessions in high schools, and collaborating in crisis response teams.
About the Maple Valley 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) | $27.87 | $222.96 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $29.98 | $239.86 |
| Median (P50) | $37.99 | $303.95 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $48.13 | $385.01 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $58.88 | $471.06 |
Estimated Annual Income by Work Schedule in Maple Valley
Based on $37.99/hr median hourly rate · 2026 est.
At $37.99/hr, a school counselor working full-time (40 hr/wk) in Maple Valley, WA can expect to earn approximately $79,026 per year (2026 est.). Part-time hygienists working 24 hours per week would earn around $45,592. With a cost-of-living index of 107.40 (above the national average), these earnings may be offset by higher expenses in Maple Valley.
Hourly Rate Calculator
Schedule Comparison in Maple Valley
| Schedule | Weekly | Monthly | Annual |
|---|---|---|---|
| Full-Time (40 hrs) | $1,519.73 | $6,585 | $79,026 |
| Part-Time (24 hrs) | $911.84 | $3,951 | $47,416 |
| Per Diem (16 hrs) | $607.89 | $2,634 | $31,610 |
Compare SC, LSC Wages With Similar Roles
| Role | Median Hourly |
|---|---|
| School Counselor (Maple Valley) | $37.99 |
| 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 Maple Valley, WA earn a median of $79,015 per year (2026 est.), which is 22.82% higher than the national median of $64,335 and 4.90% below the Washington state average of $83,087.
School Counselor Hourly Pay vs. Cost of Living
Working 24h/week at $37.99/hr = $47,416/year (purchasing power: $44,149).
Working 40h/week (full-time) = $79,026/year (purchasing power: $73,581).
CoL index: 107.4 (100 = national average).
2019 BLS Actual
$33.01/hr
2025 BLS Actual
$37.23/hr
2026 Current Est.
$37.99/hr
2019–2027 Growth
+17.5%
Hourly Rate Trajectory for School Counselors in Maple Valley (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 2.05% projection.
| Year | Hourly Rate | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $33.01/hr | Actual |
| 2020 | $33.64/hr | Actual |
| 2021 | $35.02/hr | Actual |
| 2022 | $34.81/hr | Actual |
| 2023 | $35.71/hr | Actual |
| 2024 | $38.31/hr | Actual |
| 2025 | $37.23/hr | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $37.99/hr | Estimated |
| 2027 | $38.77/hr | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, the median hourly rate for school counselors in Maple Valley grew 12.8% from $33.01/hr (2019) to $37.23/hr (2025). At a 2.05% projected growth rate, hourly pay is expected to reach $38.77/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 Maple Valley 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 Maple Valley
For those who choose to work part-time at 24 hours a week, their annual income can significantly differ from full-time positions, driving variability in earnings and lifestyle. Per-diem work is another avenue often pursued by counselors; however, while substitute positions are uncommon, per-diem private college counselors can demand rates between $150 and $400 per hour, depending on market conditions. School counseling roles in Maple Valley vary widely in pay across employer types, including public K-12 districts, charter schools, and private institutions. Though full-time positions often come with benefits such as health insurance, some professionals opt for higher hourly pay without benefits, which may require careful financial planning. When negotiating hourly rates, especially in this competitive urban context, counselors should consider not just pay, but also the additional non-monetary value offered by certain positions, such as professional development and job stability.
More salary data for Maple Valley, WA:
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the hourly rate for school counselors in Maple Valley in 2026?
How much do part-time school counselors make in Maple Valley?
Are school counselors in Maple Valley paid hourly or salary?
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Related Pages
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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 Maple Valley. 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 Maple Valley 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