School Counselor Hourly Pay in Cartersville, GA: $26.93 (2026)
Quick Answer:Hourly pay for a school counselor working in Cartersville, GA runs $26.93 at the median for 2026 — annualizing to $56,009 at a standard 2,080-hour year. Figures projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 21-1012). Weighted against Cartersville's regional price level (BEA RPP 93.1, 7% below national), each hour of work buys what $28.93 nationally would. A 24-hour part-time schedule grosses $33,610 per year.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
In Cartersville, Georgia, school counselor hourly pay is projected to be $26.93 in 2026, which is noticeably lower than the national median hourly rate of $30.93. This wage offers various opportunities for part-time and per-diem positions, particularly in diverse settings such as elementary schools for guidance lessons, middle schools for small group counseling, high schools for personalized sessions, and administrative roles in college counseling resource rooms. The hourly pay range extends from $19.61 for entry-level positions to $40.04 for more experienced professionals, giving those in the field the flexibility to work either a three-day week or engage in per-diem work. These figures are estimates based on annual salary data and highlight the potential for different career paths available to school counselors in Cartersville.
About the Cartersville Market
Salary estimated from Georgia average ($64,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
School Counselor Hourly Wage Breakdown
| Percentile | Hourly Rate | Per 8hr Shift |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $19.61 | $156.91 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $21.61 | $172.91 |
| Median (P50) | $26.93 | $215.45 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $33.01 | $264.11 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $40.04 | $320.36 |
Estimated Annual Income by Work Schedule in Cartersville
Based on $26.93/hr median hourly rate · 2026 est.
At $26.93/hr, a school counselor working full-time (40 hr/wk) in Cartersville, GA can expect to earn approximately $56,016 per year (2026 est.). Part-time hygienists working 24 hours per week would earn around $32,317. With a cost-of-living index of 93.10 (below the national average), these earnings stretch further in Cartersville.
Hourly Rate Calculator
Schedule Comparison in Cartersville
| Schedule | Weekly | Monthly | Annual |
|---|---|---|---|
| Full-Time (40 hrs) | $1,077.24 | $4,668 | $56,016 |
| Part-Time (24 hrs) | $646.34 | $2,801 | $33,610 |
| Per Diem (16 hrs) | $430.90 | $1,867 | $22,407 |
Compare SC, LSC Wages With Similar Roles
| Role | Median Hourly |
|---|---|
| School Counselor (Cartersville) | $26.93 |
| 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 Cartersville, GA earn a median of $56,009 per year (2026 est.), which is 12.94% lower than the national median of $64,335 and 4.70% below the Georgia state average of $58,771.
School Counselor Hourly Pay vs. Cost of Living
Working 24h/week at $26.93/hr = $33,610/year (purchasing power: $36,101).
Working 40h/week (full-time) = $56,016/year (purchasing power: $60,168).
CoL index: 93.1 (100 = national average). Your dollars stretch further here.
2019 BLS Actual
$23.40/hr
2025 BLS Actual
$26.39/hr
2026 Current Est.
$26.93/hr
2019–2027 Growth
+17.5%
Hourly Rate Trajectory for School Counselors in Cartersville (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 2.05% projection.
| Year | Hourly Rate | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $23.40/hr | Actual |
| 2020 | $23.84/hr | Actual |
| 2021 | $24.82/hr | Actual |
| 2022 | $24.67/hr | Actual |
| 2023 | $25.32/hr | Actual |
| 2024 | $27.29/hr | Actual |
| 2025 | $26.39/hr | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $26.93/hr | Estimated |
| 2027 | $27.48/hr | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, the median hourly rate for school counselors in Cartersville grew 12.8% from $23.40/hr (2019) to $26.39/hr (2025). At a 2.05% projected growth rate, hourly pay is expected to reach $27.48/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 Cartersville 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 Cartersville
Considering the dynamics of part-time work, a school counselor working 24 hours per week might earn a significantly lower annual income compared to someone in a full-time capacity, impacting their financial stability. Many per-diem positions aren’t easily accessible since substitute coverage for school counselors is rare; however, alternative options in private colleges could yield $150 to $400 per hour, especially in high-cost living markets. School counselors in Cartersville typically find diverse employment opportunities across various types of institutions, including public school districts, charter schools, and private educational settings. While some may prefer the security of benefits tied to lower hourly rates, others might opt for higher pay rates that lack benefits, demonstrating the trade-offs faced in this profession. It’s essential for prospective school counselors to negotiate effectively, potentially leveraging the local counselor-to-student ratio and the demand spurred by recent expansions in mental health funding to ensure they maximize their compensation.
More salary data for Cartersville, GA:
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 Cartersville. 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 Cartersville 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