School Counselor Hourly Pay in Bryant, AR: $28.01 (2026)
Quick Answer:Hourly pay for a school counselor working in Bryant, AR runs $28.01 at the median for 2026 — annualizing to $58,270 at a standard 2,080-hour year. Figures projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 21-1012). Weighted against Bryant's regional price level (BEA RPP 86.9, 13% below national), each hour of work buys what $32.24 nationally would. A 24-hour part-time schedule grosses $34,960 per year.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
In Bryant, Arkansas, school counselors can expect to earn a median hourly rate of $28.01, which is slightly below the national median of $30.93. This rate reflects not only the demand for school counselors in the area but also the typical work settings they find themselves in, such as elementary classroom guidance lessons or middle school small group counseling. For those in part-time roles, such as a school counselor working three days a week, the hourly wage allows for flexible scheduling while still earning a reasonable income. The hourly pay in Bryant can range from $19.99 at the entry level to $42.11 for the highest earners, suggesting a path for professional growth and increased compensation as counselors gain experience and additional qualifications. These hourly figures are derived from projected annual salary data, which provides valuable context for anyone looking at positions in this field.
About the Bryant Market
Salary estimated from Arkansas average ($55,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
School Counselor Hourly Wage Breakdown
| Percentile | Hourly Rate | Per 8hr Shift |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $19.99 | $159.93 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $22.21 | $177.65 |
| Median (P50) | $28.01 | $224.10 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $34.69 | $277.49 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $42.11 | $336.85 |
Estimated Annual Income by Work Schedule in Bryant
Based on $28.01/hr median hourly rate · 2026 est.
At $28.01/hr, a school counselor working full-time (40 hr/wk) in Bryant, AR can expect to earn approximately $58,266 per year (2026 est.). Part-time hygienists working 24 hours per week would earn around $33,615. With a cost-of-living index of 86.90 (below the national average), these earnings stretch further in Bryant.
Hourly Rate Calculator
Schedule Comparison in Bryant
| Schedule | Weekly | Monthly | Annual |
|---|---|---|---|
| Full-Time (40 hrs) | $1,120.51 | $4,856 | $58,266 |
| Part-Time (24 hrs) | $672.31 | $2,913 | $34,960 |
| Per Diem (16 hrs) | $448.20 | $1,942 | $23,307 |
Compare SC, LSC Wages With Similar Roles
| Role | Median Hourly |
|---|---|
| School Counselor (Bryant) | $28.01 |
| 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 Bryant, AR earn a median of $58,270 per year (2026 est.), which is 9.43% lower than the national median of $64,335 and 5.50% below the Arkansas state average of $61,661.
School Counselor Hourly Pay vs. Cost of Living
Working 24h/week at $28.01/hr = $34,960/year (purchasing power: $40,230).
Working 40h/week (full-time) = $58,266/year (purchasing power: $67,050).
CoL index: 86.9 (100 = national average). Your dollars stretch further here.
2019 BLS Actual
$24.34/hr
2025 BLS Actual
$27.45/hr
2026 Current Est.
$28.01/hr
2019–2027 Growth
+17.5%
Hourly Rate Trajectory for School Counselors in Bryant (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 2.05% projection.
| Year | Hourly Rate | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $24.34/hr | Actual |
| 2020 | $24.80/hr | Actual |
| 2021 | $25.82/hr | Actual |
| 2022 | $25.66/hr | Actual |
| 2023 | $26.33/hr | Actual |
| 2024 | $21.71/hr | Actual |
| 2025 | $27.45/hr | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $28.01/hr | Estimated |
| 2027 | $28.59/hr | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, the median hourly rate for school counselors in Bryant grew 12.8% from $24.34/hr (2019) to $27.45/hr (2025). At a 2.05% projected growth rate, hourly pay is expected to reach $28.59/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 Bryant 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 Bryant
When considering a part-time role at 24 hours per week, a school counselor in Bryant could realize earnings significantly lower than their full-time counterparts. Part-time counselors might take home around $34,816 annually, in contrast to a full-time salary that could reach upwards of $58,270. Moreover, the reality of per-diem or agency school counseling can differ markedly; while substitute coverage is often scarce, private college counselors in high-cost-of-living markets can command rates between $150 to $400 per hour for specialized services such as college admissions consulting. In Bryant, salary expectations also vary based on the type of employer—whether working in K-12 public schools, charter networks, or private institutions—each offering different benefits and payment structures. Counselors may prioritize stability and health insurance over a higher hourly wage, particularly in a field where these factors can significantly impact overall job satisfaction. For those negotiating hourly pay, understanding local pay scales and leveraging relevant experience is essential in this evolving job market.
More salary data for Bryant, AR:
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 Bryant. 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 Bryant 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