School Counselor Hourly Pay in Cedar Park, TX: $32.05 (2026)
Quick Answer:Hourly pay for a school counselor working in Cedar Park, TX runs $32.05 at the median for 2026 — annualizing to $66,668 at a standard 2,080-hour year. Figures projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 21-1012). Weighted against Cedar Park's regional price level (BEA RPP 96.0, 4% below national), each hour of work buys what $33.39 nationally would. A 24-hour part-time schedule grosses $40,003 per year.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
In Cedar Park, Texas, school counselors are projected to earn a median hourly pay of $32.05 in 2026, which positions them slightly above the national median hourly rate of $30.93. This salary is particularly advantageous for those working in various educational settings, such as elementary classroom guidance lessons, middle school small group counseling, and high school individual sessions. For part-time counselors, especially those working three days a week, the consistent hourly rate provides a stable income, while offers for per-diem employment can add flexibility. The hourly range in Cedar Park spans from $21.53 for entry-level positions to $49.68 for top earners, demonstrating significant potential for growth within the profession.
About the Cedar Park Market
Salary estimated from Texas average ($66,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
School Counselor Hourly Wage Breakdown
| Percentile | Hourly Rate | Per 8hr Shift |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $21.53 | $172.26 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $24.66 | $197.24 |
| Median (P50) | $32.05 | $256.43 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $41.02 | $328.19 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $49.68 | $397.42 |
Estimated Annual Income by Work Schedule in Cedar Park
Based on $32.05/hr median hourly rate · 2026 est.
At $32.05/hr, a school counselor working full-time (40 hr/wk) in Cedar Park, TX can expect to earn approximately $66,672 per year (2026 est.). Part-time hygienists working 24 hours per week would earn around $38,465. With a cost-of-living index of 96.00 (below the national average), these earnings stretch further in Cedar Park.
Hourly Rate Calculator
Schedule Comparison in Cedar Park
| Schedule | Weekly | Monthly | Annual |
|---|---|---|---|
| Full-Time (40 hrs) | $1,282.16 | $5,556 | $66,672 |
| Part-Time (24 hrs) | $769.29 | $3,334 | $40,003 |
| Per Diem (16 hrs) | $512.86 | $2,222 | $26,669 |
Compare SC, LSC Wages With Similar Roles
| Role | Median Hourly |
|---|---|
| School Counselor (Cedar Park) | $32.05 |
| 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 Cedar Park, TX earn a median of $66,668 per year (2026 est.), which is 3.63% higher than the national median of $64,335 and 0.40% below the Texas state average of $66,936.
School Counselor Hourly Pay vs. Cost of Living
Working 24h/week at $32.05/hr = $40,003/year (purchasing power: $41,670).
Working 40h/week (full-time) = $66,672/year (purchasing power: $69,450).
CoL index: 96 (100 = national average). Your dollars stretch further here.
2019 BLS Actual
$27.85/hr
2025 BLS Actual
$31.41/hr
2026 Current Est.
$32.05/hr
2019–2027 Growth
+17.5%
Hourly Rate Trajectory for School Counselors in Cedar Park (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 2.05% projection.
| Year | Hourly Rate | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $27.85/hr | Actual |
| 2020 | $28.38/hr | Actual |
| 2021 | $29.54/hr | Actual |
| 2022 | $29.36/hr | Actual |
| 2023 | $30.13/hr | Actual |
| 2024 | $30.33/hr | Actual |
| 2025 | $31.41/hr | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $32.05/hr | Estimated |
| 2027 | $32.71/hr | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, the median hourly rate for school counselors in Cedar Park grew 12.8% from $27.85/hr (2019) to $31.41/hr (2025). At a 2.05% projected growth rate, hourly pay is expected to reach $32.71/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 Cedar Park 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 Cedar Park
When considering part-time work, a school counselor in Cedar Park who works 24 hours a week could take home approximately $49,535 annually. In contrast, full-time positions typically yield more consistent earnings, reflecting the likely step-and-lane pay structure common in K-12 education. The reality of per-diem work for counselors includes the potential to earn between $150 to $400 per hour outside traditional school settings, with some private college admissions consultants commanding high rates. This flexibility often comes with a trade-off regarding benefits, as many choose the lower hourly rates in exchange for health insurance and job security. Different employers, including public districts, charter schools, and private institutions, can influence these rates, prompting negotiations that account for the counselor’s experience and the school's financial position. Counselors in Cedar Park should capitalize on their knowledge of the local educational landscape during salary discussions, seeking to balance hourly compensation with benefits to find an arrangement that meets their financial needs.
More salary data for Cedar Park, TX:
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 Cedar Park. 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 Cedar Park 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