School Counselor Hourly Pay in Parkersburg, WV: $29.05 (2026)
Quick Answer:Hourly pay for a school counselor working in Parkersburg, WV runs $29.05 at the median for 2026 — annualizing to $60,426 at a standard 2,080-hour year. Figures projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 21-1012). Weighted against Parkersburg's regional price level (BEA RPP 87.1, 13% below national), each hour of work buys what $33.37 nationally would. A 24-hour part-time schedule grosses $36,259 per year.
Official BLS data · View source
In Parkersburg, the school counselor hourly pay is projected to be $29.05 in 2026, which is slightly below the national median hourly rate of $30.93. This figure reflects the economic environment of the area and the specific needs of its educational institutions. For part-time counselors working three days a week, this means approximately $23,000 annually. Those considering per-diem positions can expect even more variability. School counselors often work in settings like elementary classrooms, high school counseling offices, or crisis response teams, where the hourly rate ranges from $20.96 at entry-level positions to $33.36 for those at the top of the pay scale. The hourly figures are sourced from official Bureau of Labor Statistics data, illustrating the distinct pay landscape for counseling roles within this West Virginia community.
School Counselor Hourly Wage Breakdown
| Percentile | Hourly Rate | Per 8hr Shift |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $20.96 | $167.69 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $21.88 | $175.04 |
| Median (P50) | $29.05 | $232.43 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $29.20 | $233.57 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $33.36 | $266.88 |
Estimated Annual Income by Work Schedule in Parkersburg
Based on $29.05/hr median hourly rate · 2026 est.
At $29.05/hr, a school counselor working full-time (40 hr/wk) in Parkersburg, WV can expect to earn approximately $60,432 per year (2026 est.). Part-time hygienists working 24 hours per week would earn around $34,864. With a cost-of-living index of 87.07 (below the national average), these earnings stretch further in Parkersburg.
Hourly Rate Calculator
Schedule Comparison in Parkersburg
| Schedule | Weekly | Monthly | Annual |
|---|---|---|---|
| Full-Time (40 hrs) | $1,162.15 | $5,036 | $60,432 |
| Part-Time (24 hrs) | $697.29 | $3,022 | $36,259 |
| Per Diem (16 hrs) | $464.86 | $2,014 | $24,173 |
Compare SC, LSC Wages With Similar Roles
| Role | Median Hourly |
|---|---|
| School Counselor (Parkersburg) | $29.05 |
| 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 Parkersburg, WV earn a median of $60,426 per year (2026 est.), which is 6.08% lower than the national median of $64,335 and 4.40% above the West Virginia state average of $57,879.
School Counselor Hourly Pay vs. Cost of Living
Working 24h/week at $29.05/hr = $36,259/year (purchasing power: $41,645).
Working 40h/week (full-time) = $60,432/year (purchasing power: $69,409).
CoL index: 87.066 (100 = national average). Your dollars stretch further here.
2019 BLS Actual
$22.21/hr
2025 BLS Actual
$28.47/hr
2026 Current Est.
$29.05/hr
2019–2027 Growth
+33.5%
Hourly Rate Trajectory for School Counselors in Parkersburg (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 2.05% projection.
| Year | Hourly Rate | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $22.21/hr | Actual |
| 2020 | $23.76/hr | Actual |
| 2021 | $23.73/hr | Actual |
| 2022 | $24.55/hr | Actual |
| 2023 | $23.95/hr | Actual |
| 2024 | $28.07/hr | Actual |
| 2025 | $28.47/hr | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $29.05/hr | Estimated |
| 2027 | $29.65/hr | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, the median hourly rate for school counselors in Parkersburg grew 28.2% from $22.21/hr (2019) to $28.47/hr (2025). At a 2.05% projected growth rate, hourly pay is expected to reach $29.65/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 Parkersburg 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 Parkersburg
The earning potential for part-time counselors in Parkersburg illustrates a unique scenario. Working 24 hours per week leads to annual earnings significantly below the full-time average, providing a constrained income for those balancing multiple commitments. In contrast, per diem or agency counselors frequently charge rates of $150 to $400 per hour for specialized services, especially in higher-cost markets. Additionally, long hours during the extended school year can add valuable income, potentially increasing annual earnings by $5,000 to $15,000. Each type of employment offers varied benefits; for instance, K-12 public schools often provide health insurance, while higher hourly rates in some private institutions come without similar perks. School counselors should consider negotiating their pay based on their experience and the specific demands of their roles, especially given the competitive nature of counseling positions in the region. Understanding these dynamics can empower professionals to make informed decisions about their career trajectories in Parkersburg, WV.
More salary data for Parkersburg, 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 Parkersburg. 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