School Counselor Hourly Pay in Natick, MA: $36.32 (2026)
Quick Answer:Hourly pay for a school counselor working in Natick, MA runs $36.32 at the median for 2026 — annualizing to $75,551 at a standard 2,080-hour year. Figures projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 21-1012). Weighted against Natick's regional price level (BEA RPP 108.5, 9% above national), each hour of work buys what $33.47 nationally would. A 24-hour part-time schedule grosses $45,327 per year.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
School counselors in Natick, Massachusetts can expect a median hourly pay of $36.32, which represents a notable increase compared to the national median hourly rate of $30.93. This competitive pay is particularly advantageous for part-time workers, such as those serving three days per week at elementary schools, where responsibilities might include guidance lessons, or in middle schools with small group counseling sessions. For high school counselors engaged in one-on-one support or crisis management within their targeted spaces, the range of hourly pay can vary significantly. Entry-level counselors earn around $27.36 per hour, while experienced professionals in Natick can command as much as $56.30 per hour, underscoring a broad range of earning potential in the field.
About the Natick Market
Salary estimated from Massachusetts average ($80,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
School Counselor Hourly Wage Breakdown
| Percentile | Hourly Rate | Per 8hr Shift |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $27.36 | $218.88 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $30.00 | $240.02 |
| Median (P50) | $36.32 | $290.56 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $45.17 | $361.34 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $56.30 | $450.41 |
Estimated Annual Income by Work Schedule in Natick
Based on $36.32/hr median hourly rate · 2026 est.
At $36.32/hr, a school counselor working full-time (40 hr/wk) in Natick, MA can expect to earn approximately $75,545 per year (2026 est.). Part-time hygienists working 24 hours per week would earn around $43,584. With a cost-of-living index of 108.50 (above the national average), these earnings may be offset by higher expenses in Natick.
Hourly Rate Calculator
Schedule Comparison in Natick
| Schedule | Weekly | Monthly | Annual |
|---|---|---|---|
| Full-Time (40 hrs) | $1,452.78 | $6,295 | $75,545 |
| Part-Time (24 hrs) | $871.67 | $3,777 | $45,327 |
| Per Diem (16 hrs) | $581.11 | $2,518 | $30,218 |
Compare SC, LSC Wages With Similar Roles
| Role | Median Hourly |
|---|---|
| School Counselor (Natick) | $36.32 |
| 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 Natick, MA earn a median of $75,551 per year (2026 est.), which is 17.43% higher than the national median of $64,335 and 3.70% below the Massachusetts state average of $78,453.
School Counselor Hourly Pay vs. Cost of Living
Working 24h/week at $36.32/hr = $45,327/year (purchasing power: $41,776).
Working 40h/week (full-time) = $75,545/year (purchasing power: $69,627).
CoL index: 108.5 (100 = national average).
2019 BLS Actual
$31.56/hr
2025 BLS Actual
$35.59/hr
2026 Current Est.
$36.32/hr
2019–2027 Growth
+17.5%
Hourly Rate Trajectory for School Counselors in Natick (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 2.05% projection.
| Year | Hourly Rate | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $31.56/hr | Actual |
| 2020 | $32.15/hr | Actual |
| 2021 | $33.48/hr | Actual |
| 2022 | $33.27/hr | Actual |
| 2023 | $34.14/hr | Actual |
| 2024 | $40.18/hr | Actual |
| 2025 | $35.59/hr | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $36.32/hr | Estimated |
| 2027 | $37.06/hr | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, the median hourly rate for school counselors in Natick grew 12.8% from $31.56/hr (2019) to $35.59/hr (2025). At a 2.05% projected growth rate, hourly pay is expected to reach $37.06/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 Natick 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 Natick
Exploring the earning dynamics, a school counselor working part-time at 24 hours per week could expect to bring home around $45,000 annually, in contrast to their full-time counterparts who take home significantly more. Per diem school counselor pay in Natick can vary widely, with private college counselors charging between $150 to $400 per hour for specialized services, reflecting the high cost of living in the area. Opportunities also exist for extended summer counseling, which can add between $5,000 and $15,000 to a base salary. Hourly rates differ based on employer type—public school districts typically follow a structured pay scale while charter schools and private institutions may offer higher rates but potentially less secure benefits. This trade-off can compel some counselors to accept lower hourly wages for the inclusiveness of health insurance. Effective negotiation strategies for hourly workers include highlighting specialized expertise and advocating for compensation to align with the exceptionally high consultant rates charged in private settings.
More salary data for Natick, MA:
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 Natick. 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 Natick 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