School Counselor Hourly Pay in Seattle, WA: $41.96 (2026)
Quick Answer:Hourly pay for a school counselor working in Seattle, WA runs $41.96 at the median for 2026 — annualizing to $87,287 at a standard 2,080-hour year. Figures projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 21-1012). Weighted against Seattle's regional price level (BEA RPP 111.1, 11% above national), each hour of work buys what $37.76 nationally would. A 24-hour part-time schedule grosses $52,370 per year.
Official BLS data · View source
In 2026, the median hourly pay for school counselors in Seattle, Washington, is projected to be $41.96, significantly higher than the national median of $30.93. This competitive rate reflects the demand for school counselors, particularly in settings like elementary guidance lessons, middle school small group counseling, and high school individual sessions. For part-time professionals working three days a week, the higher pay translates to more substantial earnings compared to many other professions. The hourly range for school counselors in Seattle varies from $29.60 for entry-level roles to $62.06 for experienced professionals, allowing diverse opportunities in various educational environments, from K-12 institutions to colleges. This data, based on 2025 BLS OEWS figures projected to 2026, showcases the strong financial prospects in this field.
School Counselor Hourly Wage Breakdown
| Percentile | Hourly Rate | Per 8hr Shift |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $29.60 | $236.84 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $35.40 | $283.21 |
| Median (P50) | $41.96 | $335.70 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $50.37 | $402.98 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $62.06 | $496.45 |
Estimated Annual Income by Work Schedule in Seattle
Based on $41.96/hr median hourly rate · 2026 est.
At $41.96/hr, a school counselor working full-time (40 hr/wk) in Seattle, WA can expect to earn approximately $87,283 per year (2026 est.). Part-time hygienists working 24 hours per week would earn around $50,356. With a cost-of-living index of 111.13 (above the national average), these earnings may be offset by higher expenses in Seattle.
Hourly Rate Calculator
Schedule Comparison in Seattle
| Schedule | Weekly | Monthly | Annual |
|---|---|---|---|
| Full-Time (40 hrs) | $1,678.52 | $7,274 | $87,283 |
| Part-Time (24 hrs) | $1,007.11 | $4,364 | $52,370 |
| Per Diem (16 hrs) | $671.41 | $2,909 | $34,913 |
Compare SC, LSC Wages With Similar Roles
| Role | Median Hourly |
|---|---|
| School Counselor (Seattle) | $41.96 |
| 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 Seattle, WA earn a median of $87,287 per year (2026 est.), which is 35.68% higher than the national median of $64,335 and 5.10% above the Washington state average of $83,052.
School Counselor Hourly Pay vs. Cost of Living
Working 24h/week at $41.96/hr = $52,370/year (purchasing power: $47,124).
Working 40h/week (full-time) = $87,283/year (purchasing power: $78,539).
CoL index: 111.133 (100 = national average).
2019 BLS Actual
$29.73/hr
2025 BLS Actual
$41.12/hr
2026 Current Est.
$41.96/hr
2019–2027 Growth
+44.0%
Hourly Rate Trajectory for School Counselors in Seattle (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 2.05% projection.
| Year | Hourly Rate | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $29.73/hr | Actual |
| 2020 | $31.08/hr | Actual |
| 2021 | $35.40/hr | Actual |
| 2022 | $38.05/hr | Actual |
| 2023 | $39.03/hr | Actual |
| 2024 | $41.58/hr | Actual |
| 2025 | $41.12/hr | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $41.96/hr | Estimated |
| 2027 | $42.82/hr | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, the median hourly rate for school counselors in Seattle grew 38.3% from $29.73/hr (2019) to $41.12/hr (2025). At a 2.05% projected growth rate, hourly pay is expected to reach $42.82/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 Seattle 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 Seattle
Part-time school counselors earning the median hourly rate can expect to take home about $51,080 annually when working 24 hours a week, compared to full-time counterparts who have complete schedules and benefits. For those who pursue per diem positions, the landscape shifts significantly, with private college counselors charging between $150 and $400 per hour for individual consultations. In Seattle, where the cost of living is above average, summer counseling opportunities can add an additional $5,000 to $15,000 to their annual earnings. Hourly rates can also differ based on employer type; those in K-12 public schools may experience a structured pay scale aligned with teacher agreements, while private institutions or DoDEA schools could offer different compensation packages. Many counselors choose lower hourly rates for the added benefits of health insurance. Negotiating for a favorable hourly rate is crucial in this field — highlighting experience, specialization, and the current market rates can help secure a better compensation package.
More salary data for Seattle, 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 Seattle. Part-time and full-time income estimates assume consistent weekly hours and do not account for overtime, benefits, or seasonal variation.
Data Sources & Methodology
Source: BLS, OEWS, 7-year dataset (–). Per-city data from annual BLS metropolitan area surveys.
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