School Counselor Hourly Pay in Ruston, LA: $28.14 (2026)
Quick Answer:Hourly pay for a school counselor working in Ruston, LA runs $28.14 at the median for 2026 — annualizing to $58,530 at a standard 2,080-hour year. Figures projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 21-1012). Weighted against Ruston's regional price level (BEA RPP 90.3, 10% below national), each hour of work buys what $31.16 nationally would. A 24-hour part-time schedule grosses $35,113 per year.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
In Ruston, LA, the projected median hourly pay for school counselors is $28.14, which is slightly lower than the national median of $30.93. This hourly pay can significantly impact part-time professionals, especially those working three days a week. For instance, a counselor employed in various educational settings—ranging from elementary school guidance lessons to high school individual counseling offices—will find the hourly structure to be a flexible option, allowing for adaptability in their role. The hourly pay range for school counselors in Ruston varies from $20.96 at the entry level to $43.32 for top earners, reflecting the breadth of experience and responsibility in different counseling scenarios. It’s essential to note that these hourly figures are estimated based on annual salary projections for 2026 derived from 2025 BLS data.
About the Ruston 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) | $20.96 | $167.69 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $22.92 | $183.36 |
| Median (P50) | $28.14 | $225.08 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $35.41 | $283.29 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $43.32 | $346.56 |
Estimated Annual Income by Work Schedule in Ruston
Based on $28.14/hr median hourly rate · 2026 est.
At $28.14/hr, a school counselor working full-time (40 hr/wk) in Ruston, LA can expect to earn approximately $58,521 per year (2026 est.). Part-time hygienists working 24 hours per week would earn around $33,762. With a cost-of-living index of 90.30 (below the national average), these earnings stretch further in Ruston.
Hourly Rate Calculator
Schedule Comparison in Ruston
| Schedule | Weekly | Monthly | Annual |
|---|---|---|---|
| Full-Time (40 hrs) | $1,125.41 | $4,877 | $58,521 |
| Part-Time (24 hrs) | $675.24 | $2,926 | $35,113 |
| Per Diem (16 hrs) | $450.16 | $1,951 | $23,408 |
Compare SC, LSC Wages With Similar Roles
| Role | Median Hourly |
|---|---|
| School Counselor (Ruston) | $28.14 |
| 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 Ruston, LA earn a median of $58,530 per year (2026 est.), which is 9.02% lower than the national median of $64,335 and 3.80% below the Louisiana state average of $60,842.
School Counselor Hourly Pay vs. Cost of Living
Working 24h/week at $28.14/hr = $35,113/year (purchasing power: $38,885).
Working 40h/week (full-time) = $58,521/year (purchasing power: $64,808).
CoL index: 90.3 (100 = national average). Your dollars stretch further here.
2019 BLS Actual
$24.45/hr
2025 BLS Actual
$27.57/hr
2026 Current Est.
$28.14/hr
2019–2027 Growth
+17.5%
Hourly Rate Trajectory for School Counselors in Ruston (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 2.05% projection.
| Year | Hourly Rate | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $24.45/hr | Actual |
| 2020 | $24.91/hr | Actual |
| 2021 | $25.93/hr | Actual |
| 2022 | $25.77/hr | Actual |
| 2023 | $26.45/hr | Actual |
| 2024 | $24.21/hr | Actual |
| 2025 | $27.57/hr | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $28.14/hr | Estimated |
| 2027 | $28.71/hr | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, the median hourly rate for school counselors in Ruston grew 12.8% from $24.45/hr (2019) to $27.57/hr (2025). At a 2.05% projected growth rate, hourly pay is expected to reach $28.71/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 Ruston 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 Ruston
As part of the changing work environment post-COVID, school counselors in Ruston may consider part-time work options that yield different annual earnings. A counselor working three days a week at 24 hours might take home roughly $43,811 annually, considerably less than their full-time counterparts who could earn closer to $58,530. Additionally, the landscape of per-diem school counselor pay in Ruston can be attractive for those seeking higher compensation without fixed commitments. For private college counseling, practitioners charge between $150 and $400 hourly, highlighting a stark contrast to the K-12 setting. Various employer types further influence hourly rates, wherein public school districts, private schools, and post-secondary settings each offer distinct pathways and negotiations. Counselors often face a trade-off when choosing between a higher hourly rate with no benefits and a lower rate that provides essential health insurance, which can be a critical factor in their decision-making process as they assess personal and professional priorities. Negotiating effectively hinges on understanding these nuances and leveraging the average rates within local markets.
More salary data for Ruston, 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 Ruston. 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 Ruston 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