School Counselor Hourly Pay in Royal Palm Beach, FL: $27.32 (2026)
Quick Answer:Hourly pay for a school counselor working in Royal Palm Beach, FL runs $27.32 at the median for 2026 — annualizing to $56,832 at a standard 2,080-hour year. Figures projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 21-1012). Weighted against Royal Palm Beach's regional price level (BEA RPP 100.8, 1% above national), each hour of work buys what $27.10 nationally would. A 24-hour part-time schedule grosses $34,094 per year.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source

In Royal Palm Beach, the school counselor hourly pay is projected to be $27.32 for the year 2026, which is notably lower than the national median of $30.93. This hourly wage impacts those considering part-time roles, such as a counselor working three days a week, which can lead to a take-home income that may not adequately support their financial needs, especially in light of the increased cost of living in the area. Moreover, professionals in this field can expect to see an hourly range from $19.46 at the entry-level to $42.35 for those at the higher end of the salary spectrum. These figures are derived from annual salary estimates, providing a useful perspective for those involved in classroom guidance, small group behavioral interventions, or crisis response teams in schools across the region.
About the Royal Palm Beach Market
Salary estimated from Florida average ($60,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
School Counselor Hourly Wage Breakdown
| Percentile | Hourly Rate | Per 8hr Shift |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $19.46 | $155.69 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $21.72 | $173.73 |
| Median (P50) | $27.32 | $218.55 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $34.74 | $277.90 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $42.35 | $338.81 |
Estimated Annual Income by Work Schedule in Royal Palm Beach
Based on $27.32/hr median hourly rate · 2026 est.
At $27.32/hr, a school counselor working full-time (40 hr/wk) in Royal Palm Beach, FL can expect to earn approximately $56,823 per year (2026 est.). Part-time hygienists working 24 hours per week would earn around $32,783. With a cost-of-living index of 100.80 (above the national average), these earnings may be offset by higher expenses in Royal Palm Beach.
Hourly Rate Calculator
Schedule Comparison in Royal Palm Beach
| Schedule | Weekly | Monthly | Annual |
|---|---|---|---|
| Full-Time (40 hrs) | $1,092.75 | $4,735 | $56,823 |
| Part-Time (24 hrs) | $655.65 | $2,841 | $34,094 |
| Per Diem (16 hrs) | $437.10 | $1,894 | $22,729 |
Compare SC, LSC Wages With Similar Roles
| Role | Median Hourly |
|---|---|
| School Counselor (Royal Palm Beach) | $27.32 |
| 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 Royal Palm Beach, FL earn a median of $56,832 per year (2026 est.), which is 11.66% lower than the national median of $64,335 and 1.30% below the Florida state average of $57,580.
School Counselor Hourly Pay vs. Cost of Living
Working 24h/week at $27.32/hr = $34,094/year (purchasing power: $33,823).
Working 40h/week (full-time) = $56,823/year (purchasing power: $56,372).
CoL index: 100.8 (100 = national average).
2019 BLS Actual
$23.74/hr
2025 BLS Actual
$26.77/hr
2026 Current Est.
$27.32/hr
2019–2027 Growth
+17.5%
Hourly Rate Trajectory for School Counselors in Royal Palm Beach (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 2.05% projection.
| Year | Hourly Rate | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $23.74/hr | Actual |
| 2020 | $24.19/hr | Actual |
| 2021 | $25.18/hr | Actual |
| 2022 | $25.03/hr | Actual |
| 2023 | $25.68/hr | Actual |
| 2024 | $28.69/hr | Actual |
| 2025 | $26.77/hr | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $27.32/hr | Estimated |
| 2027 | $27.88/hr | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, the median hourly rate for school counselors in Royal Palm Beach grew 12.8% from $23.74/hr (2019) to $26.77/hr (2025). At a 2.05% projected growth rate, hourly pay is expected to reach $27.88/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 Royal Palm Beach 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 Royal Palm Beach
When analyzing part-time earning potential for school counselors in Royal Palm Beach, one can see the practical implications of working limited hours. A counselor working only 24 hours a week may earn significantly less than their full-time counterparts, often sacrificing benefits like health insurance for a more flexible schedule. Furthermore, per diem school counselor pay tends to fluctuate widely; while full-time public school counselors earn a steady hourly rate, private college counselors may charge between $150 and $400 per hour for specialized services such as college admissions consulting. In different educational settings — public school districts, charter schools, or private institutions — the hourly rates change, reflecting the structure of K-12 pay scales that protect full-time staff. Those in public education must weigh the trade-offs between lower compensation and job security versus higher hourly fees available in private or per diem roles, especially in light of an expanding landscape of mental health funding post-COVID. Negotiating for a competitive hourly rate is crucial, particularly in an environment where professional demands are rising and the counselor-to-student ratio remains skewed.
More salary data for Royal Palm Beach, FL:
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the hourly rate for school counselors in Royal Palm Beach in 2026?
How much do part-time school counselors make in Royal Palm Beach?
Are school counselors in Royal Palm Beach paid hourly or salary?
How much does a full-time school counselor make per year in Royal Palm Beach?
Do school counselors earn more per hour working part-time in Royal Palm Beach?
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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 Royal Palm Beach. 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 Royal Palm Beach 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