School Counselor Hourly Pay in Morrisville, NC: $26.65 (2026)
Quick Answer:Hourly pay for a school counselor working in Morrisville, NC runs $26.65 at the median for 2026 — annualizing to $55,418 at a standard 2,080-hour year. Figures projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 21-1012). Weighted against Morrisville's regional price level (BEA RPP 93.6, 6% below national), each hour of work buys what $28.47 nationally would. A 24-hour part-time schedule grosses $33,253 per year.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
In Morrisville, North Carolina, the projected school counselor hourly pay for 2026 stands at $26.65, which is notably lower than the national median of $30.93. This disparity presents various implications for school counselors who may be considering part-time or per-diem positions. For example, a part-time counselor working three days a week would earn significantly less compared to their full-time counterparts, impacting their overall financial stability. The hourly compensation in Morrisville varies widely, ranging from $18.90 at the entry-level (P10) to $40.94 for top earners (P90). These rates are derived from estimates based on annual salary data, reflecting the different responsibilities one may encounter, such as leading classroom guidance sessions or facilitating group counseling in middle schools and high schools.
About the Morrisville 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) | $18.90 | $151.20 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $21.13 | $169.08 |
| Median (P50) | $26.65 | $213.16 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $33.28 | $266.23 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $40.94 | $327.54 |
Estimated Annual Income by Work Schedule in Morrisville
Based on $26.65/hr median hourly rate · 2026 est.
At $26.65/hr, a school counselor working full-time (40 hr/wk) in Morrisville, NC can expect to earn approximately $55,422 per year (2026 est.). Part-time hygienists working 24 hours per week would earn around $31,974. With a cost-of-living index of 93.60 (below the national average), these earnings stretch further in Morrisville.
Hourly Rate Calculator
Schedule Comparison in Morrisville
| Schedule | Weekly | Monthly | Annual |
|---|---|---|---|
| Full-Time (40 hrs) | $1,065.81 | $4,619 | $55,422 |
| Part-Time (24 hrs) | $639.49 | $2,771 | $33,253 |
| Per Diem (16 hrs) | $426.32 | $1,847 | $22,169 |
Compare SC, LSC Wages With Similar Roles
| Role | Median Hourly |
|---|---|
| School Counselor (Morrisville) | $26.65 |
| 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 Morrisville, NC earn a median of $55,418 per year (2026 est.), which is 13.86% lower than the national median of $64,335 and 1.50% below the North Carolina state average of $56,262.
School Counselor Hourly Pay vs. Cost of Living
Working 24h/week at $26.65/hr = $33,253/year (purchasing power: $35,527).
Working 40h/week (full-time) = $55,422/year (purchasing power: $59,212).
CoL index: 93.6 (100 = national average). Your dollars stretch further here.
2019 BLS Actual
$23.15/hr
2025 BLS Actual
$26.11/hr
2026 Current Est.
$26.65/hr
2019–2027 Growth
+17.5%
Hourly Rate Trajectory for School Counselors in Morrisville (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 2.05% projection.
| Year | Hourly Rate | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $23.15/hr | Actual |
| 2020 | $23.59/hr | Actual |
| 2021 | $24.56/hr | Actual |
| 2022 | $24.41/hr | Actual |
| 2023 | $25.05/hr | Actual |
| 2024 | $25.72/hr | Actual |
| 2025 | $26.11/hr | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $26.65/hr | Estimated |
| 2027 | $27.19/hr | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, the median hourly rate for school counselors in Morrisville grew 12.8% from $23.15/hr (2019) to $26.11/hr (2025). At a 2.05% projected growth rate, hourly pay is expected to reach $27.19/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 Morrisville 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 Morrisville
For those considering part-time opportunities, a school counselor working 24 hours a week in Morrisville could expect lower earnings relative to full-time positions. The per diem school counselor pay in the area is often much lower than what private college consultants charge, which can range from $150 to $400 per hour for specialized counseling. The variation in hourly rates across employer types is noteworthy; K-12 public schools typically offer salaries within the established step-and-lane structure common in education, while opportunities in private, charter, or DoDEA schools may present more competitive compensation packages. Some counselors may opt for positions with lower hourly rates to secure essential benefits like health insurance, a trade-off not uncommon in the field. Additionally, negotiating salary can be tricky; knowing the local pay standards and understanding the demand for counselors, especially post-COVID with increased mental health funding, can provide an edge in discussions about compensation.
More salary data for Morrisville, 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 Morrisville. 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 Morrisville 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