School Counselor Hourly Pay in Huntington, WV: $28.55 (2026)
Quick Answer:Hourly pay for a school counselor working in Huntington, WV runs $28.55 at the median for 2026 — annualizing to $59,385 at a standard 2,080-hour year. Figures projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 21-1012). Weighted against Huntington's regional price level (BEA RPP 88.4, 12% below national), each hour of work buys what $32.29 nationally would. A 24-hour part-time schedule grosses $35,635 per year.
Official BLS data · View source
In Huntington, West Virginia, the school counselor hourly pay is projected to reach $28.55 in 2026, which is slightly below the national median of $30.93. This hourly rate is key for part-time professionals, particularly those working three days a week who engage in varied roles across different educational settings. Counselors in elementary schools may conduct guidance lessons, while those in middle schools often lead small group sessions. High school counselors typically provide one-on-one counseling, and college counselors may operate in resource rooms. Evaluating the compensation spectrum, hourly pay ranges from $19.06 for entry-level positions to $38.20 for experienced counselors, reflecting the diverse level of expertise and responsibilities associated with this career in Huntington.
School Counselor Hourly Wage Breakdown
| Percentile | Hourly Rate | Per 8hr Shift |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $19.06 | $152.50 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $22.44 | $179.53 |
| Median (P50) | $28.55 | $228.43 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $33.76 | $270.07 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $38.20 | $305.58 |
Estimated Annual Income by Work Schedule in Huntington
Based on $28.55/hr median hourly rate · 2026 est.
At $28.55/hr, a school counselor working full-time (40 hr/wk) in Huntington, WV can expect to earn approximately $59,391 per year (2026 est.). Part-time hygienists working 24 hours per week would earn around $34,264. With a cost-of-living index of 88.42 (below the national average), these earnings stretch further in Huntington.
Hourly Rate Calculator
Schedule Comparison in Huntington
| Schedule | Weekly | Monthly | Annual |
|---|---|---|---|
| Full-Time (40 hrs) | $1,142.14 | $4,949 | $59,391 |
| Part-Time (24 hrs) | $685.29 | $2,970 | $35,635 |
| Per Diem (16 hrs) | $456.86 | $1,980 | $23,757 |
Compare SC, LSC Wages With Similar Roles
| Role | Median Hourly |
|---|---|
| School Counselor (Huntington) | $28.55 |
| 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 Huntington, WV earn a median of $59,385 per year (2026 est.), which is 7.69% lower than the national median of $64,335 and 2.60% above the West Virginia state average of $57,880.
School Counselor Hourly Pay vs. Cost of Living
Working 24h/week at $28.55/hr = $35,635/year (purchasing power: $40,301).
Working 40h/week (full-time) = $59,391/year (purchasing power: $67,168).
CoL index: 88.422 (100 = national average). Your dollars stretch further here.
2019 BLS Actual
$23.06/hr
2025 BLS Actual
$27.98/hr
2026 Current Est.
$28.55/hr
2019–2027 Growth
+26.4%
Hourly Rate Trajectory for School Counselors in Huntington (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 2.05% projection.
| Year | Hourly Rate | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $23.06/hr | Actual |
| 2020 | $25.99/hr | Actual |
| 2021 | $27.70/hr | Actual |
| 2022 | $27.53/hr | Actual |
| 2023 | $25.07/hr | Actual |
| 2024 | $28.23/hr | Actual |
| 2025 | $27.98/hr | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $28.55/hr | Estimated |
| 2027 | $29.14/hr | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, the median hourly rate for school counselors in Huntington grew 21.3% from $23.06/hr (2019) to $27.98/hr (2025). At a 2.05% projected growth rate, hourly pay is expected to reach $29.14/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 Huntington 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 Huntington
When considering part-time opportunities, a school counselor working 24 hours a week could expect to earn approximately $35,000 annually, which presents a different perspective when compared to full-time counterparts. The reality for per diem school counselors in Huntington can be more lucrative, as they often charge rates that range significantly higher based on service type, such as private college counseling where the pay can be between $150 to $400 per hour. This disparity highlights the variance across employer types, including K-12 public schools, private institutions, and post-secondary organizations. Many counselors might choose to accept lower hourly wages in exchange for employee benefits like health insurance, while others might prioritize higher pay without benefits. For those navigating job negotiations, emphasizing relevant experience and the critical need for mental health support post-COVID can enhance compensation discussions. Understanding the specific needs of Huntington's school counseling landscape is essential for maximizing one's potential earnings.
More salary data for Huntington, WV:
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 Huntington. 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