School Counselor Hourly Pay in Taunton, MA: $37.18 (2026)
Quick Answer:Hourly pay for a school counselor working in Taunton, MA runs $37.18 at the median for 2026 — annualizing to $77,320 at a standard 2,080-hour year. Figures projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 21-1012). Weighted against Taunton's regional price level (BEA RPP 108.5, 9% above national), each hour of work buys what $34.26 nationally would. A 24-hour part-time schedule grosses $46,397 per year.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
In Taunton, Massachusetts, the projected school counselor hourly pay is $37.18, significantly higher than the national median of $30.93. This hourly rate is particularly advantageous for part-time or per-diem school counselors who typically work in various educational settings, including elementary schools for guidance lessons, middle schools for small group counseling, and high schools for individual counseling sessions. Counselors in Taunton can earn between $27.33 and $57.62 per hour, reflecting opportunities for both entry-level positions and experienced professionals. Given that these figures are derived from annual salary estimates, they illustrate the strong potential for financial stability in a profession that plays a key role in addressing students' academic and emotional needs.
About the Taunton 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) | $27.33 | $218.63 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $30.36 | $242.88 |
| Median (P50) | $37.18 | $297.41 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $47.59 | $380.69 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $57.62 | $460.94 |
Estimated Annual Income by Work Schedule in Taunton
Based on $37.18/hr median hourly rate · 2026 est.
At $37.18/hr, a school counselor working full-time (40 hr/wk) in Taunton, MA can expect to earn approximately $77,328 per year (2026 est.). Part-time hygienists working 24 hours per week would earn around $44,612. With a cost-of-living index of 108.50 (above the national average), these earnings may be offset by higher expenses in Taunton.
Hourly Rate Calculator
Schedule Comparison in Taunton
| Schedule | Weekly | Monthly | Annual |
|---|---|---|---|
| Full-Time (40 hrs) | $1,487.07 | $6,444 | $77,328 |
| Part-Time (24 hrs) | $892.24 | $3,866 | $46,397 |
| Per Diem (16 hrs) | $594.83 | $2,578 | $30,931 |
Compare SC, LSC Wages With Similar Roles
| Role | Median Hourly |
|---|---|
| School Counselor (Taunton) | $37.18 |
| 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 Taunton, MA earn a median of $77,320 per year (2026 est.), which is 20.18% higher than the national median of $64,335 and 1.50% below the Massachusetts state average of $78,498.
School Counselor Hourly Pay vs. Cost of Living
Working 24h/week at $37.18/hr = $46,397/year (purchasing power: $42,762).
Working 40h/week (full-time) = $77,328/year (purchasing power: $71,270).
CoL index: 108.5 (100 = national average).
2019 BLS Actual
$32.30/hr
2025 BLS Actual
$36.43/hr
2026 Current Est.
$37.18/hr
2019–2027 Growth
+17.5%
Hourly Rate Trajectory for School Counselors in Taunton (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 2.05% projection.
| Year | Hourly Rate | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $32.30/hr | Actual |
| 2020 | $32.91/hr | Actual |
| 2021 | $34.27/hr | Actual |
| 2022 | $34.06/hr | Actual |
| 2023 | $34.95/hr | Actual |
| 2024 | $41.12/hr | Actual |
| 2025 | $36.43/hr | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $37.18/hr | Estimated |
| 2027 | $37.94/hr | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, the median hourly rate for school counselors in Taunton grew 12.8% from $32.30/hr (2019) to $36.43/hr (2025). At a 2.05% projected growth rate, hourly pay is expected to reach $37.94/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 Taunton 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 Taunton
When considering part-time work at approximately 24 hours a week, a school counselor could expect lower annual earnings compared to full-time colleagues. This is notable since per-diem positions can yield substantially higher rates; private college counseling may demand between $150 and $400 per hour in high-cost living areas, offering lucrative opportunities for those with specialized skills. School counselors in Taunton may also find salary disparities based on their employer type, with K-12 public schools, charter schools, and private institutions all contributing to the variation in hourly rates. Some counselors may opt for lower hourly wages in exchange for health benefits, while others seek higher pay without benefits. Effective negotiation remains essential, especially for hourly workers in Taunton, who should be prepared to discuss their credentials and the positive impact of their services, particularly in a landscape increasingly aware of mental health needs post-COVID.
More salary data for Taunton, 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 Taunton. 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 Taunton 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