School Counselor Hourly Pay in Kannapolis, NC: $27.28 (2026)
Quick Answer:Hourly pay for a school counselor working in Kannapolis, NC runs $27.28 at the median for 2026 — annualizing to $56,748 at a standard 2,080-hour year. Figures projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 21-1012). Weighted against Kannapolis's regional price level (BEA RPP 93.6, 6% below national), each hour of work buys what $29.14 nationally would. A 24-hour part-time schedule grosses $34,043 per year.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
In Kannapolis, North Carolina, school counselors receive a median hourly pay of $27.28, which is lower than the national median of $30.93. This difference presents a unique challenge for part-time counselors, such as those working three days a week, who must consider how their compensation aligns with their workload and the resources available for students across different developmental stages. The hourly rates for these professionals range significantly, from $18.94 at entry-level positions to $42.29 for the highest earners, indicating a diverse array of opportunities based on experience and specialty within educational settings. Common roles for school counselors in Kannapolis include conducting elementary guidance lessons, facilitating small group discussions in middle schools, providing individual counseling in high school settings, offering resources in college counseling offices, and responding to crises in coordination with faculty and administration. These rates are derived from annual salary estimations and reflect the local economic conditions.
About the Kannapolis Market
Salary estimated from North Carolina average ($58,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
School Counselor Hourly Wage Breakdown
| Percentile | Hourly Rate | Per 8hr Shift |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $18.94 | $151.52 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $21.43 | $171.44 |
| Median (P50) | $27.28 | $218.22 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $34.92 | $279.37 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $42.29 | $338.32 |
Estimated Annual Income by Work Schedule in Kannapolis
Based on $27.28/hr median hourly rate · 2026 est.
At $27.28/hr, a school counselor working full-time (40 hr/wk) in Kannapolis, NC can expect to earn approximately $56,738 per year (2026 est.). Part-time hygienists working 24 hours per week would earn around $32,734. With a cost-of-living index of 93.60 (below the national average), these earnings stretch further in Kannapolis.
Hourly Rate Calculator
Schedule Comparison in Kannapolis
| Schedule | Weekly | Monthly | Annual |
|---|---|---|---|
| Full-Time (40 hrs) | $1,091.12 | $4,728 | $56,738 |
| Part-Time (24 hrs) | $654.67 | $2,837 | $34,043 |
| Per Diem (16 hrs) | $436.45 | $1,891 | $22,695 |
Compare SC, LSC Wages With Similar Roles
| Role | Median Hourly |
|---|---|
| School Counselor (Kannapolis) | $27.28 |
| 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 Kannapolis, NC earn a median of $56,748 per year (2026 est.), which is 11.79% lower than the national median of $64,335 and 0.90% above the North Carolina state average of $56,242.
School Counselor Hourly Pay vs. Cost of Living
Working 24h/week at $27.28/hr = $34,043/year (purchasing power: $36,371).
Working 40h/week (full-time) = $56,738/year (purchasing power: $60,618).
CoL index: 93.6 (100 = national average). Your dollars stretch further here.
2019 BLS Actual
$23.70/hr
2025 BLS Actual
$26.73/hr
2026 Current Est.
$27.28/hr
2019–2027 Growth
+17.5%
Hourly Rate Trajectory for School Counselors in Kannapolis (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 2.05% projection.
| Year | Hourly Rate | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $23.70/hr | Actual |
| 2020 | $24.15/hr | Actual |
| 2021 | $25.14/hr | Actual |
| 2022 | $24.99/hr | Actual |
| 2023 | $25.64/hr | Actual |
| 2024 | $26.34/hr | Actual |
| 2025 | $26.73/hr | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $27.28/hr | Estimated |
| 2027 | $27.84/hr | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, the median hourly rate for school counselors in Kannapolis grew 12.8% from $23.70/hr (2019) to $26.73/hr (2025). At a 2.05% projected growth rate, hourly pay is expected to reach $27.84/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 Kannapolis 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 Kannapolis
Considering a part-time school counselor in Kannapolis working approximately 24 hours a week, the annual take-home salary would be around $42,190, which contrasts with the earnings of full-time positions, where counselors could approach $56,748 per year. In terms of per-diem opportunities, counseling professionals working temporarily or through agencies can make more, as private college counselors in high-cost living areas can charge $150 to $400 per hour for consultations, making this a potentially lucrative alternative. In addition, school counselors employed in various settings—whether in public K-12 districts, charter schools, or private institutions—may see differing hourly rates, with those in higher funding situations often offering more lucrative pay. However, some counselors may opt for roles with lower hourly rates that include health insurance benefits, while others might prioritize higher hourly pay without health coverage. Negotiating hourly compensation in Kannapolis requires awareness of these dynamics, particularly for those seeking to maximize their financial potential while contributing to student mental health, especially amid increased funding in the post-COVID era to address mental wellness in schools.
More salary data for Kannapolis, NC:
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 Kannapolis. 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 Kannapolis 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