School Counselor Hourly Pay in Thibodaux, LA: $29.13 (2026)
Quick Answer:Hourly pay for a school counselor working in Thibodaux, LA runs $29.13 at the median for 2026 — annualizing to $60,577 at a standard 2,080-hour year. Figures projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 21-1012). Weighted against Thibodaux's regional price level (BEA RPP 90.3, 10% below national), each hour of work buys what $32.25 nationally would. A 24-hour part-time schedule grosses $36,348 per year.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
In Thibodaux, Louisiana, school counselors earn a median hourly rate of $29.13, which falls slightly short of the national median of $30.93. This pay level reflects the various counseling roles prevalent in the local educational settings, including elementary classroom guidance, middle school small group sessions, and high school individual counseling. For those working on a part-time basis, such as the typical 3-day workweek, the earnings might translate to limited financial flexibility yet provide a balance between professional engagement and personal commitments. Counselors in this area can expect to see hourly rates ranging from $21.99 for entry-level positions to $44.17 for top earners, giving insight into potential career advancement and the growing demand for mental health support in schools, especially with post-COVID funding efforts.
About the Thibodaux 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) | $21.99 | $175.93 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $23.94 | $191.53 |
| Median (P50) | $29.13 | $233.00 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $36.24 | $289.90 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $44.17 | $353.34 |
Estimated Annual Income by Work Schedule in Thibodaux
Based on $29.13/hr median hourly rate · 2026 est.
At $29.13/hr, a school counselor working full-time (40 hr/wk) in Thibodaux, LA can expect to earn approximately $60,580 per year (2026 est.). Part-time hygienists working 24 hours per week would earn around $34,950. With a cost-of-living index of 90.30 (below the national average), these earnings stretch further in Thibodaux.
Hourly Rate Calculator
Schedule Comparison in Thibodaux
| Schedule | Weekly | Monthly | Annual |
|---|---|---|---|
| Full-Time (40 hrs) | $1,165.00 | $5,048 | $60,580 |
| Part-Time (24 hrs) | $699.00 | $3,029 | $36,348 |
| Per Diem (16 hrs) | $466.00 | $2,019 | $24,232 |
Compare SC, LSC Wages With Similar Roles
| Role | Median Hourly |
|---|---|
| School Counselor (Thibodaux) | $29.13 |
| 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 Thibodaux, LA earn a median of $60,577 per year (2026 est.), which is 5.84% lower than the national median of $64,335 and 0.50% below the Louisiana state average of $60,881.
School Counselor Hourly Pay vs. Cost of Living
Working 24h/week at $29.13/hr = $36,348/year (purchasing power: $40,253).
Working 40h/week (full-time) = $60,580/year (purchasing power: $67,088).
CoL index: 90.3 (100 = national average). Your dollars stretch further here.
2019 BLS Actual
$25.31/hr
2025 BLS Actual
$28.54/hr
2026 Current Est.
$29.13/hr
2019–2027 Growth
+17.5%
Hourly Rate Trajectory for School Counselors in Thibodaux (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 2.05% projection.
| Year | Hourly Rate | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $25.31/hr | Actual |
| 2020 | $25.78/hr | Actual |
| 2021 | $26.85/hr | Actual |
| 2022 | $26.68/hr | Actual |
| 2023 | $27.38/hr | Actual |
| 2024 | $23.17/hr | Actual |
| 2025 | $28.54/hr | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $29.13/hr | Estimated |
| 2027 | $29.72/hr | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, the median hourly rate for school counselors in Thibodaux grew 12.8% from $25.31/hr (2019) to $28.54/hr (2025). At a 2.05% projected growth rate, hourly pay is expected to reach $29.72/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 Thibodaux 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 Thibodaux
Evaluating the financial prospects for school counselors in Thibodaux illuminates several factors associated with part-time work and per-diem opportunities. A school counselor who works 24 hours a week could take home around $36,036 annually, which is significantly lower than full-time counterparts but may offer better work-life balance. Conversely, per-diem or agency counselors can find lucrative opportunities, billing clients at rates upward of $150 to $400 per hour in higher-cost markets. This disparity often tempts counselors to work full-time in K-12 settings where the pay follows a structured step-and-lane model, ensuring stable income along with benefits such as health insurance, which may be forfeited by those seeking higher hourly rates in private practice. Navigating these options requires strategic negotiation skills, especially in Thibodaux, where the local cost of living is below national averages. The decision to prioritize hourly pay versus the stability of benefits plays a critical role in deciding one's career path in the counseling field.
More salary data for Thibodaux, LA:
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the hourly rate for school counselors in Thibodaux in 2026?
How much do part-time school counselors make in Thibodaux?
Are school counselors in Thibodaux paid hourly or salary?
How much does a full-time school counselor make per year in Thibodaux?
Do school counselors earn more per hour working part-time in Thibodaux?
Related Pages
Compare Salaries
Career Resources
Nearby Cities in Louisiana
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 Thibodaux. 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 Thibodaux 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