School Counselor Hourly Pay in Jonesboro, AR: $25.21 (2026)
Quick Answer:Hourly pay for a school counselor working in Jonesboro, AR runs $25.21 at the median for 2026 — annualizing to $52,425 at a standard 2,080-hour year. Figures projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 21-1012). Weighted against Jonesboro's regional price level (BEA RPP 85.9, 14% below national), each hour of work buys what $29.35 nationally would. A 24-hour part-time schedule grosses $31,458 per year.
Official BLS data · View source
In Jonesboro, Arkansas, the school counselor hourly pay stands at $25.21, which is lower than the national median of $30.93. This hourly rate reflects a diverse landscape for professionals in the field, especially for those working part-time or on a per-diem basis. School counselors often engage in various tasks across settings, such as conducting guidance lessons in elementary classrooms, facilitating small group discussions in middle schools, and offering individual counseling in high school offices. The hourly range in Jonesboro varies significantly, with entry-level positions starting at approximately $17.45 and experienced specialists earning up to $36.01 per hour, as indicated by official Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) data. For those in the field, understanding the nuances of compensation can help inform decisions regarding work schedules and salary expectations.
School Counselor Hourly Wage Breakdown
| Percentile | Hourly Rate | Per 8hr Shift |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $17.45 | $139.60 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $19.34 | $154.71 |
| Median (P50) | $25.21 | $201.65 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $30.07 | $240.59 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $36.01 | $288.11 |
Estimated Annual Income by Work Schedule in Jonesboro
Based on $25.21/hr median hourly rate · 2026 est.
At $25.21/hr, a school counselor working full-time (40 hr/wk) in Jonesboro, AR can expect to earn approximately $52,429 per year (2026 est.). Part-time hygienists working 24 hours per week would earn around $30,248. With a cost-of-living index of 85.88 (below the national average), these earnings stretch further in Jonesboro.
Hourly Rate Calculator
Schedule Comparison in Jonesboro
| Schedule | Weekly | Monthly | Annual |
|---|---|---|---|
| Full-Time (40 hrs) | $1,008.25 | $4,369 | $52,429 |
| Part-Time (24 hrs) | $604.95 | $2,621 | $31,458 |
| Per Diem (16 hrs) | $403.30 | $1,748 | $20,972 |
Compare SC, LSC Wages With Similar Roles
| Role | Median Hourly |
|---|---|
| School Counselor (Jonesboro) | $25.21 |
| 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 Jonesboro, AR earn a median of $52,425 per year (2026 est.), which is 18.51% lower than the national median of $64,335 and 15.00% below the Arkansas state average of $61,677.
School Counselor Hourly Pay vs. Cost of Living
Working 24h/week at $25.21/hr = $31,458/year (purchasing power: $36,631).
Working 40h/week (full-time) = $52,429/year (purchasing power: $61,052).
CoL index: 85.876 (100 = national average). Your dollars stretch further here.
2019 BLS Actual
$23.95/hr
2025 BLS Actual
$24.70/hr
2026 Current Est.
$25.21/hr
2019–2027 Growth
+7.4%
Hourly Rate Trajectory for School Counselors in Jonesboro (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 2.05% projection.
| Year | Hourly Rate | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $23.95/hr | Actual |
| 2020 | $24.53/hr | Actual |
| 2021 | $23.69/hr | Actual |
| 2022 | $24.98/hr | Actual |
| 2023 | $26.92/hr | Actual |
| 2024 | $29.00/hr | Actual |
| 2025 | $24.70/hr | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $25.21/hr | Estimated |
| 2027 | $25.72/hr | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, the median hourly rate for school counselors in Jonesboro grew 3.1% from $23.95/hr (2019) to $24.70/hr (2025). At a 2.05% projected growth rate, hourly pay is expected to reach $25.72/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 Jonesboro 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 Jonesboro
When examining the financial prospects of school counselors, particularly those working three days per week, it's crucial to consider how part-time roles impact annual earnings. A counselor at $25.21/hour working 24 hours weekly would earn around $31,171 each year, compared to full-time counterparts who often have more comprehensive benefits but also a greater workload. Per diem school counselor pay in Jonesboro introduces different dynamics, as those offering private consulting services in higher-cost living areas may charge from $150 to $400 per hour. The compensation landscape varies by employer type; K-12 public schools typically follow a structured pay scale, while charter and private institutions may offer more flexibility or higher rates. Some counselors opt for positions that provide health insurance, accepting lower hourly pay for job security and benefits. As school counselors negotiate their salaries, especially in a city like Jonesboro where the cost of living is below average, understanding the market and available options can be advantageous for career development.
More salary data for Jonesboro, 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 Jonesboro. 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