School Counselor Hourly Pay in Merrimack, NH: $31.70 (2026)
Quick Answer:Hourly pay for a school counselor working in Merrimack, NH runs $31.70 at the median for 2026 — annualizing to $65,933 at a standard 2,080-hour year. Figures projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 21-1012). Weighted against Merrimack's regional price level (BEA RPP 107.3, 7% above national), each hour of work buys what $29.54 nationally would. A 24-hour part-time schedule grosses $39,558 per year.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
In Merrimack, New Hampshire, school counselors earn a median hourly pay of $31.70, which is slightly above the national median of $30.93. This competitive rate can be quite appealing for those seeking both full-time and part-time roles. For instance, a counselor working three days a week or on a part-time basis can earn a substantial income while maintaining flexibility. The hourly range for this profession in Merrimack stretches from $21.90 for entry-level positions to as high as $49.14 for those at the top of their careers. Given that these figures are derived from annual salary data, they provide a helpful framework for understanding how hourly compensation translates into real-world earnings across various educational settings, including elementary and high school counseling.
About the Merrimack Market
Salary estimated from New Hampshire average ($68,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
School Counselor Hourly Wage Breakdown
| Percentile | Hourly Rate | Per 8hr Shift |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $21.90 | $175.20 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $24.72 | $197.73 |
| Median (P50) | $31.70 | $253.57 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $39.87 | $318.97 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $49.14 | $393.10 |
Estimated Annual Income by Work Schedule in Merrimack
Based on $31.70/hr median hourly rate · 2026 est.
At $31.70/hr, a school counselor working full-time (40 hr/wk) in Merrimack, NH can expect to earn approximately $65,929 per year (2026 est.). Part-time hygienists working 24 hours per week would earn around $38,036. With a cost-of-living index of 107.30 (above the national average), these earnings may be offset by higher expenses in Merrimack.
Hourly Rate Calculator
Schedule Comparison in Merrimack
| Schedule | Weekly | Monthly | Annual |
|---|---|---|---|
| Full-Time (40 hrs) | $1,267.87 | $5,494 | $65,929 |
| Part-Time (24 hrs) | $760.72 | $3,296 | $39,558 |
| Per Diem (16 hrs) | $507.15 | $2,198 | $26,372 |
Compare SC, LSC Wages With Similar Roles
| Role | Median Hourly |
|---|---|
| School Counselor (Merrimack) | $31.70 |
| 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 Merrimack, NH earn a median of $65,933 per year (2026 est.), which is 2.48% higher than the national median of $64,335 and 2.50% below the New Hampshire state average of $67,624.
School Counselor Hourly Pay vs. Cost of Living
Working 24h/week at $31.70/hr = $39,558/year (purchasing power: $36,866).
Working 40h/week (full-time) = $65,929/year (purchasing power: $61,444).
CoL index: 107.3 (100 = national average).
2019 BLS Actual
$27.54/hr
2025 BLS Actual
$31.06/hr
2026 Current Est.
$31.70/hr
2019–2027 Growth
+17.5%
Hourly Rate Trajectory for School Counselors in Merrimack (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 2.05% projection.
| Year | Hourly Rate | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $27.54/hr | Actual |
| 2020 | $28.06/hr | Actual |
| 2021 | $29.22/hr | Actual |
| 2022 | $29.04/hr | Actual |
| 2023 | $29.80/hr | Actual |
| 2024 | $34.19/hr | Actual |
| 2025 | $31.06/hr | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $31.70/hr | Estimated |
| 2027 | $32.35/hr | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, the median hourly rate for school counselors in Merrimack grew 12.8% from $27.54/hr (2019) to $31.06/hr (2025). At a 2.05% projected growth rate, hourly pay is expected to reach $32.35/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 Merrimack 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 Merrimack
Evaluating the earning potential reveals that a school counselor working part-time for 24 hours a week would see a significant difference from their full-time counterparts. While full-time professionals earn the median rate, part-time counselors would bring home approximately $49,885 annually before deductions. For those considering per-diem roles, the flexibility of working in temporary positions allows them to charge anywhere from $150 to $400 per hour in high-cost living markets, especially in college counseling. The choice of employer type also impacts pay discrepancies in Merrimack, where K-12 public school districts typically pay within the established range while private institutions may offer different compensation structures. Some counselors may opt for lower hourly pay to receive health benefits, while others may pursue higher hourly wages that exclude insurance. For those negotiating their starting pay, understanding the local job market and the demand for school counselors can provide leverage in discussions about compensation and benefits.
More salary data for Merrimack, NH:
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 Merrimack. 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 Merrimack 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