School Counselor Hourly Pay in Summerville, SC: $28.72 (2026)
Quick Answer:Hourly pay for a school counselor working in Summerville, SC runs $28.72 at the median for 2026 — annualizing to $59,736 at a standard 2,080-hour year. Figures projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 21-1012). Weighted against Summerville's regional price level (BEA RPP 91.5, 8% below national), each hour of work buys what $31.38 nationally would. A 24-hour part-time schedule grosses $35,839 per year.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
In Summerville, South Carolina, school counselors earn a median hourly rate of $28.72, which is somewhat lower than the national median of $30.93. This hourly wage allows for various working arrangements, particularly for part-time counselors who might work three days a week. Such arrangements can be applied to different settings like elementary schools focusing on guidance lessons, middle schools conducting small group counseling, and high schools providing individual counseling. For those considering per-diem work, it’s worth noting the hourly rates can vary significantly, with entry-level positions starting at $20.85, while experienced counselors may earn up to $44.51 per hour. These figures are based on annual salary estimates, highlighting the financial range available for counselors at different career stages within the local education sector in Summerville.
About the Summerville 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) | $20.85 | $166.79 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $23.24 | $185.89 |
| Median (P50) | $28.72 | $229.73 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $36.76 | $294.07 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $44.51 | $356.11 |
Estimated Annual Income by Work Schedule in Summerville
Based on $28.72/hr median hourly rate · 2026 est.
At $28.72/hr, a school counselor working full-time (40 hr/wk) in Summerville, SC can expect to earn approximately $59,731 per year (2026 est.). Part-time hygienists working 24 hours per week would earn around $34,460. With a cost-of-living index of 91.50 (below the national average), these earnings stretch further in Summerville.
Hourly Rate Calculator
Schedule Comparison in Summerville
| Schedule | Weekly | Monthly | Annual |
|---|---|---|---|
| Full-Time (40 hrs) | $1,148.67 | $4,978 | $59,731 |
| Part-Time (24 hrs) | $689.20 | $2,987 | $35,839 |
| Per Diem (16 hrs) | $459.47 | $1,991 | $23,892 |
Compare SC, LSC Wages With Similar Roles
| Role | Median Hourly |
|---|---|
| School Counselor (Summerville) | $28.72 |
| 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 Summerville, SC earn a median of $59,736 per year (2026 est.), which is 7.15% lower than the national median of $64,335 and 2.10% below the South Carolina state average of $61,017.
School Counselor Hourly Pay vs. Cost of Living
Working 24h/week at $28.72/hr = $35,839/year (purchasing power: $39,168).
Working 40h/week (full-time) = $59,731/year (purchasing power: $65,280).
CoL index: 91.5 (100 = national average). Your dollars stretch further here.
2019 BLS Actual
$24.95/hr
2025 BLS Actual
$28.14/hr
2026 Current Est.
$28.72/hr
2019–2027 Growth
+17.5%
Hourly Rate Trajectory for School Counselors in Summerville (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 2.05% projection.
| Year | Hourly Rate | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $24.95/hr | Actual |
| 2020 | $25.42/hr | Actual |
| 2021 | $26.47/hr | Actual |
| 2022 | $26.31/hr | Actual |
| 2023 | $26.99/hr | Actual |
| 2024 | $24.98/hr | Actual |
| 2025 | $28.14/hr | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $28.72/hr | Estimated |
| 2027 | $29.31/hr | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, the median hourly rate for school counselors in Summerville grew 12.8% from $24.95/hr (2019) to $28.14/hr (2025). At a 2.05% projected growth rate, hourly pay is expected to reach $29.31/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 Summerville 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 Summerville
On the part-time front, a school counselor working 24 hours a week takes home significantly less than a full-time colleague, with their annual earnings reflecting this reduced schedule. Per-diem or agency roles often come with higher hourly pay, particularly in more lucrative settings like private colleges, where counselors can charge anywhere from $150 to $400 per hour for college admissions consulting. In Summerville, the pay structure varies widely across different employer types, from K-12 public school districts to charter schools and private institutions. While public education roles might offer lower hourly rates, they often come with benefits like health insurance, important considerations for many school counselors. Those pursuing higher hourly pay might forgo job security and benefits associated with full-time positions, which can be a trade-off in weighing job options. When negotiating pay, it's advisable to emphasize experience and the ability to work within different educational environments, which can make a candidate more attractive to potential employers.
More salary data for Summerville, SC:
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the hourly rate for school counselors in Summerville in 2026?
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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 Summerville. 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 Summerville 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