School Counselor Hourly Pay in SeaTac, WA: $39.13 (2026)
Quick Answer:Hourly pay for a school counselor working in SeaTac, WA runs $39.13 at the median for 2026 — annualizing to $81,388 at a standard 2,080-hour year. Figures projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 21-1012). Weighted against SeaTac's regional price level (BEA RPP 107.4, 7% above national), each hour of work buys what $36.43 nationally would. A 24-hour part-time schedule grosses $48,829 per year.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
In SeaTac, Washington, the school counselor hourly pay is projected to be $39.13 in 2026, significantly higher than the national hourly median of $30.93. This difference highlights the region's competitive landscape for professionals in this field, setting the stage for part-time arrangements and per-diem opportunities. For instance, a school counselor working three days a week may find themselves in elementary classrooms leading guidance lessons or in high schools providing tailored individual counseling. With a reported hourly range from $27.26 for entry-level positions to $60.65 for experienced professionals, individuals entering this field can expect to earn a stable wage across different educational settings, including college counseling resource rooms and crisis response teams. The estimates for hourly rates provide essential context, especially as they are derived from annual salary data for comprehensive understanding.
About the SeaTac Market
Salary estimated from Washington average ($78,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
School Counselor Hourly Wage Breakdown
| Percentile | Hourly Rate | Per 8hr Shift |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $27.26 | $218.06 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $30.77 | $246.14 |
| Median (P50) | $39.13 | $313.01 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $48.60 | $388.77 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $60.65 | $485.19 |
Estimated Annual Income by Work Schedule in SeaTac
Based on $39.13/hr median hourly rate · 2026 est.
At $39.13/hr, a school counselor working full-time (40 hr/wk) in SeaTac, WA can expect to earn approximately $81,382 per year (2026 est.). Part-time hygienists working 24 hours per week would earn around $46,951. With a cost-of-living index of 107.40 (above the national average), these earnings may be offset by higher expenses in SeaTac.
Hourly Rate Calculator
Schedule Comparison in SeaTac
| Schedule | Weekly | Monthly | Annual |
|---|---|---|---|
| Full-Time (40 hrs) | $1,565.04 | $6,782 | $81,382 |
| Part-Time (24 hrs) | $939.02 | $4,069 | $48,829 |
| Per Diem (16 hrs) | $626.02 | $2,713 | $32,553 |
Compare SC, LSC Wages With Similar Roles
| Role | Median Hourly |
|---|---|
| School Counselor (SeaTac) | $39.13 |
| 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 SeaTac, WA earn a median of $81,388 per year (2026 est.), which is 26.51% higher than the national median of $64,335 and 2.00% below the Washington state average of $83,049.
School Counselor Hourly Pay vs. Cost of Living
Working 24h/week at $39.13/hr = $48,829/year (purchasing power: $45,465).
Working 40h/week (full-time) = $81,382/year (purchasing power: $75,775).
CoL index: 107.4 (100 = national average).
2019 BLS Actual
$34.00/hr
2025 BLS Actual
$38.34/hr
2026 Current Est.
$39.13/hr
2019–2027 Growth
+17.5%
Hourly Rate Trajectory for School Counselors in SeaTac (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 2.05% projection.
| Year | Hourly Rate | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $34.00/hr | Actual |
| 2020 | $34.64/hr | Actual |
| 2021 | $36.06/hr | Actual |
| 2022 | $35.84/hr | Actual |
| 2023 | $36.78/hr | Actual |
| 2024 | $39.47/hr | Actual |
| 2025 | $38.34/hr | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $39.13/hr | Estimated |
| 2027 | $39.93/hr | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, the median hourly rate for school counselors in SeaTac grew 12.8% from $34.00/hr (2019) to $38.34/hr (2025). At a 2.05% projected growth rate, hourly pay is expected to reach $39.93/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 SeaTac 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 SeaTac
When considering the financial implications of part-time work in SeaTac, school counselors operating on a three-day work week (approximately 24 hours) can anticipate an annual income quite distinct from that of their full-time counterparts. The per diem reality is even more pronounced; school counselors working on a per diem basis in private college settings can charge between $150 and $400 per hour for direct consultant services, making this a lucrative option for those who can navigate high-cost markets. Earning potential varies across employment types, including K-12 public and charter schools, private institutions, and Department of Defense Education Activity schools, all of which often follow the K-12 step-and-lane pay structure akin to teachers. Some may choose lower hourly rates for the added benefits of health insurance, whereas others may capitalize on higher pay at the cost of stability. For local counselors, negotiating an hourly rate effectively can hinge on clarity about the market conditions and understanding the value they bring to their educational environments, especially in a city like SeaTac, where demand for mental health services is increasing post-COVID.
More salary data for SeaTac, WA:
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 SeaTac. 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 SeaTac 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