School Counselor Hourly Pay in Mountlake Terrace, WA: $36.96 (2026)
Quick Answer:Hourly pay for a school counselor working in Mountlake Terrace, WA runs $36.96 at the median for 2026 — annualizing to $76,891 at a standard 2,080-hour year. Figures projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 21-1012). Weighted against Mountlake Terrace's regional price level (BEA RPP 107.4, 7% above national), each hour of work buys what $34.42 nationally would. A 24-hour part-time schedule grosses $46,129 per year.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
In Mountlake Terrace, Washington, school counselors earn a median hourly rate of $36.96, which is significantly higher than the national hourly median of $30.93. This difference suggests that those working part-time in roles throughout local schools, such as elementary guidance or high school counseling, can expect competitive compensation for their time, especially if they cover multiple schools or take on various responsibilities. For those operating on a per-diem basis, including college admissions consultants or crisis response teams, the hourly pay can vary widely, often reflecting their specific skills and the type of institution they serve. Entry-level counselors might start at around $28.29 per hour, while experienced professionals can reach up to $57.30 per hour, allowing for a broad spectrum of earning potential within the profession and reflecting the robust demand for mental health support in education.
About the Mountlake Terrace 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) | $28.29 | $226.31 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $30.66 | $245.25 |
| Median (P50) | $36.96 | $295.70 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $47.03 | $376.28 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $57.30 | $458.41 |
Estimated Annual Income by Work Schedule in Mountlake Terrace
Based on $36.96/hr median hourly rate · 2026 est.
At $36.96/hr, a school counselor working full-time (40 hr/wk) in Mountlake Terrace, WA can expect to earn approximately $76,882 per year (2026 est.). Part-time hygienists working 24 hours per week would earn around $44,355. With a cost-of-living index of 107.40 (above the national average), these earnings may be offset by higher expenses in Mountlake Terrace.
Hourly Rate Calculator
Schedule Comparison in Mountlake Terrace
| Schedule | Weekly | Monthly | Annual |
|---|---|---|---|
| Full-Time (40 hrs) | $1,478.50 | $6,407 | $76,882 |
| Part-Time (24 hrs) | $887.10 | $3,844 | $46,129 |
| Per Diem (16 hrs) | $591.40 | $2,563 | $30,753 |
Compare SC, LSC Wages With Similar Roles
| Role | Median Hourly |
|---|---|
| School Counselor (Mountlake Terrace) | $36.96 |
| 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 Mountlake Terrace, WA earn a median of $76,891 per year (2026 est.), which is 19.52% higher than the national median of $64,335 and 7.40% below the Washington state average of $83,035.
School Counselor Hourly Pay vs. Cost of Living
Working 24h/week at $36.96/hr = $46,129/year (purchasing power: $42,951).
Working 40h/week (full-time) = $76,882/year (purchasing power: $71,585).
CoL index: 107.4 (100 = national average).
2019 BLS Actual
$32.12/hr
2025 BLS Actual
$36.22/hr
2026 Current Est.
$36.96/hr
2019–2027 Growth
+17.5%
Hourly Rate Trajectory for School Counselors in Mountlake Terrace (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 2.05% projection.
| Year | Hourly Rate | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $32.12/hr | Actual |
| 2020 | $32.72/hr | Actual |
| 2021 | $34.07/hr | Actual |
| 2022 | $33.86/hr | Actual |
| 2023 | $34.74/hr | Actual |
| 2024 | $37.28/hr | Actual |
| 2025 | $36.22/hr | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $36.96/hr | Estimated |
| 2027 | $37.72/hr | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, the median hourly rate for school counselors in Mountlake Terrace grew 12.8% from $32.12/hr (2019) to $36.22/hr (2025). At a 2.05% projected growth rate, hourly pay is expected to reach $37.72/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 Mountlake Terrace 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 Mountlake Terrace
For a school counselor in Mountlake Terrace working part-time at 24 hours a week, the annual take-home pay would average around $45,000, which may support a comfortable lifestyle but is considerably less than a full-time counselor's earnings of approximately $76,891 annually. The per diem model offers different realities depending on the setting; for instance, private college counselors might charge $150 to $400 per hour for consultation services, which diverges significantly from the school-based compensation structures. Additionally, hourly rates are often influenced by the type of employer—public school districts generally offer lower pay in exchange for benefits, while private and specialty schools may provide higher hourly rates with limited or no benefits. School counselors evaluating job offers should consider the trade-offs between lower pay with comprehensive healthcare options versus higher hourly rates without health-related perks. Negotiation can be crucial in this context; professionals should be prepared to discuss specific contributions, specialized skills, or experiences that warrant a higher hourly rate in Mountlake Terrace.
More salary data for Mountlake Terrace, WA:
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the hourly rate for school counselors in Mountlake Terrace in 2026?
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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 Mountlake Terrace. 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 Mountlake Terrace 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