School Counselor Hourly Pay in Lexington, SC: $27.71 (2026)
Quick Answer:Hourly pay for a school counselor working in Lexington, SC runs $27.71 at the median for 2026 — annualizing to $57,628 at a standard 2,080-hour year. Figures projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 21-1012). Weighted against Lexington's regional price level (BEA RPP 91.5, 8% below national), each hour of work buys what $30.28 nationally would. A 24-hour part-time schedule grosses $34,578 per year.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
School counselors in Lexington, South Carolina, earn a median hourly rate of $27.71, which is notably lower than the national average of $30.93. This hourly pay reflects the financial landscape for professionals working in schools, where responsibilities range from elementary classroom guidance and middle school small group sessions to high school individual counseling and crisis response team coordination. Given the current hourly wage, part-time counselors working three days a week may earn about $22,000 annually, making this setting feasible for those seeking flexible employment options. The local hourly pay spans from $19.67 for entry-level positions up to $41.71 for top earners, indicating a varied pay scale that accommodates both new counselors and seasoned professionals.
About the Lexington Market
Salary estimated from South Carolina average ($58,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
School Counselor Hourly Wage Breakdown
| Percentile | Hourly Rate | Per 8hr Shift |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $19.67 | $157.32 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $21.95 | $175.61 |
| Median (P50) | $27.71 | $221.65 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $34.29 | $274.31 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $41.71 | $333.66 |
Estimated Annual Income by Work Schedule in Lexington
Based on $27.71/hr median hourly rate · 2026 est.
At $27.71/hr, a school counselor working full-time (40 hr/wk) in Lexington, SC can expect to earn approximately $57,630 per year (2026 est.). Part-time hygienists working 24 hours per week would earn around $33,248. With a cost-of-living index of 91.50 (below the national average), these earnings stretch further in Lexington.
Hourly Rate Calculator
Schedule Comparison in Lexington
| Schedule | Weekly | Monthly | Annual |
|---|---|---|---|
| Full-Time (40 hrs) | $1,108.26 | $4,802 | $57,630 |
| Part-Time (24 hrs) | $664.96 | $2,881 | $34,578 |
| Per Diem (16 hrs) | $443.31 | $1,921 | $23,052 |
Compare SC, LSC Wages With Similar Roles
| Role | Median Hourly |
|---|---|
| School Counselor (Lexington) | $27.71 |
| 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 Lexington, SC earn a median of $57,628 per year (2026 est.), which is 10.43% lower than the national median of $64,335 and 5.50% below the South Carolina state average of $60,982.
School Counselor Hourly Pay vs. Cost of Living
Working 24h/week at $27.71/hr = $34,578/year (purchasing power: $37,790).
Working 40h/week (full-time) = $57,630/year (purchasing power: $62,983).
CoL index: 91.5 (100 = national average). Your dollars stretch further here.
2019 BLS Actual
$24.07/hr
2025 BLS Actual
$27.15/hr
2026 Current Est.
$27.71/hr
2019–2027 Growth
+17.5%
Hourly Rate Trajectory for School Counselors in Lexington (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 2.05% projection.
| Year | Hourly Rate | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $24.07/hr | Actual |
| 2020 | $24.53/hr | Actual |
| 2021 | $25.54/hr | Actual |
| 2022 | $25.38/hr | Actual |
| 2023 | $26.04/hr | Actual |
| 2024 | $24.10/hr | Actual |
| 2025 | $27.15/hr | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $27.71/hr | Estimated |
| 2027 | $28.27/hr | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, the median hourly rate for school counselors in Lexington grew 12.8% from $24.07/hr (2019) to $27.15/hr (2025). At a 2.05% projected growth rate, hourly pay is expected to reach $28.27/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 Lexington 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 Lexington
When considering part-time earnings versus full-time roles, the financial outlook for school counselors in Lexington can be significant. A school counselor working 24 hours a week could take home approximately $22,485 annually, which might not suffice for those depending solely on their counseling income. The per diem model, where counselors work on an as-needed basis, sees demand surge for private college counselors charging $150-$400 per hour in high-cost areas. Many counselors also augment their income during summer months, adding between $5,000 and $15,000 through extended school year counseling opportunities. In Lexington, hourly rates can differ across various employment types, such as K-12 public, charter, and private schools, or even post-secondary career counseling roles. Some professionals might accept lower hourly compensation in exchange for benefits like health insurance, prompting additional considerations in salary negotiations. Understanding these dynamics is crucial for prospective counselors navigating their career paths in the region while keeping in mind their personal salary expectations and lifestyle needs.
More salary data for Lexington, SC:
Frequently Asked Questions
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Related Pages
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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 Lexington. 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 Lexington 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