School Counselor Hourly Pay in Natchitoches, LA: $27.35 (2026)
Quick Answer:Hourly pay for a school counselor working in Natchitoches, LA runs $27.35 at the median for 2026 — annualizing to $56,878 at a standard 2,080-hour year. Figures projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 21-1012). Weighted against Natchitoches's regional price level (BEA RPP 90.3, 10% below national), each hour of work buys what $30.29 nationally would. A 24-hour part-time schedule grosses $34,132 per year.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
In Natchitoches, Louisiana, school counselors earn a median hourly rate of $27.35, which falls below the national median of $30.93. This hourly rate has implications for those considering part-time work, such as those who might work three days a week, typically engaging in various supportive roles, from providing elementary classroom guidance to managing high school individual counseling sessions. For entry-level counselors in the area, hourly pay can start around $21.24, while seasoned professionals can command up to $42.25 per hour. These figures, reflecting a range from the 10th to 90th percentile, underscore how compensation can vary widely based on experience and specific job responsibilities. However, it’s essential to remember that these estimates are derived from broader annual salary data and that some counselors may find different environments—like colleges or specialty programs—offer varying pay structures.
About the Natchitoches Market
Salary estimated from Louisiana average ($58,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
School Counselor Hourly Wage Breakdown
| Percentile | Hourly Rate | Per 8hr Shift |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $21.24 | $169.89 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $22.99 | $183.93 |
| Median (P50) | $27.35 | $218.80 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $33.50 | $268.02 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $42.25 | $337.99 |
Estimated Annual Income by Work Schedule in Natchitoches
Based on $27.35/hr median hourly rate · 2026 est.
At $27.35/hr, a school counselor working full-time (40 hr/wk) in Natchitoches, LA can expect to earn approximately $56,887 per year (2026 est.). Part-time hygienists working 24 hours per week would earn around $32,819. With a cost-of-living index of 90.30 (below the national average), these earnings stretch further in Natchitoches.
Hourly Rate Calculator
Schedule Comparison in Natchitoches
| Schedule | Weekly | Monthly | Annual |
|---|---|---|---|
| Full-Time (40 hrs) | $1,093.98 | $4,741 | $56,887 |
| Part-Time (24 hrs) | $656.39 | $2,844 | $34,132 |
| Per Diem (16 hrs) | $437.59 | $1,896 | $22,755 |
Compare SC, LSC Wages With Similar Roles
| Role | Median Hourly |
|---|---|
| School Counselor (Natchitoches) | $27.35 |
| 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 Natchitoches, LA earn a median of $56,878 per year (2026 est.), which is 11.59% lower than the national median of $64,335 and 6.60% below the Louisiana state average of $60,897.
School Counselor Hourly Pay vs. Cost of Living
Working 24h/week at $27.35/hr = $34,132/year (purchasing power: $37,799).
Working 40h/week (full-time) = $56,887/year (purchasing power: $62,998).
CoL index: 90.3 (100 = national average). Your dollars stretch further here.
2019 BLS Actual
$23.76/hr
2025 BLS Actual
$26.80/hr
2026 Current Est.
$27.35/hr
2019–2027 Growth
+17.5%
Hourly Rate Trajectory for School Counselors in Natchitoches (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 2.05% projection.
| Year | Hourly Rate | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $23.76/hr | Actual |
| 2020 | $24.21/hr | Actual |
| 2021 | $25.21/hr | Actual |
| 2022 | $25.05/hr | Actual |
| 2023 | $25.71/hr | Actual |
| 2024 | $23.53/hr | Actual |
| 2025 | $26.80/hr | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $27.35/hr | Estimated |
| 2027 | $27.91/hr | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, the median hourly rate for school counselors in Natchitoches grew 12.8% from $23.76/hr (2019) to $26.80/hr (2025). At a 2.05% projected growth rate, hourly pay is expected to reach $27.91/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 Natchitoches 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 Natchitoches
Looking more closely at the earning potential for school counselors who take home a salary in Natchitoches shows notable differences between part-time and full-time roles. A counselor working three days a week for 24 hours would find their annual income considerably less than full-time counterparts, who generally secure more stable positions within K-12 public schools that follow a step-and-lane pay structure. This disparity leads some to explore per diem school counselor pay in Natchitoches, where funding fluctuations can also influence income potential. For instance, private college counselors often charge $150 to $400 per hour, creating an attractive option for seasoned professionals considering agency or part-time work. While pursuing opportunities in public schools, counselors may prioritize benefits such as health insurance, which generally equates to lower hourly earnings. Balancing the desire for higher rates with the security that comes from benefits is crucial. Counselors negotiating their pay may emphasize their experience and the unique challenges tied to the high counselor-to-student ratios in the region, particularly as post-COVID funding has allowed for an expansion in mental health resources across districts.
More salary data for Natchitoches, LA:
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 Natchitoches. 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 Natchitoches 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