School Counselor Hourly Pay in Centennial, CO: $32.54 (2026)
Quick Answer:Hourly pay for a school counselor working in Centennial, CO runs $32.54 at the median for 2026 — annualizing to $67,700 at a standard 2,080-hour year. Figures projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 21-1012). Weighted against Centennial's regional price level (BEA RPP 105.0, 5% above national), each hour of work buys what $30.99 nationally would. A 24-hour part-time schedule grosses $40,615 per year.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
In Centennial, Colorado, the projected median school counselor hourly pay stands at $32.54, notably higher than the national median of $30.93. For school counselors working part-time, whether in elementary classroom guidance lessons or high school individual counseling offices, this hourly rate can generate substantial income even with a reduced schedule. For example, individuals working just three days a week may find themselves earning a solid paycheck while balancing other commitments. The hourly pay range spans from $21.63 for entry-level positions (P10) to as much as $50.45 (P90) for top earners. This estimate reflects the transition from annual salary data to an hourly framework, helping potential counselors understand what they might earn on a per-hour basis within Centennial's dynamic educational landscape.
About the Centennial Market
Salary estimated from Colorado average ($70,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
School Counselor Hourly Wage Breakdown
| Percentile | Hourly Rate | Per 8hr Shift |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $21.63 | $173.08 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $24.92 | $199.36 |
| Median (P50) | $32.54 | $260.35 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $41.41 | $331.30 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $50.45 | $403.63 |
Estimated Annual Income by Work Schedule in Centennial
Based on $32.54/hr median hourly rate · 2026 est.
At $32.54/hr, a school counselor working full-time (40 hr/wk) in Centennial, CO can expect to earn approximately $67,691 per year (2026 est.). Part-time hygienists working 24 hours per week would earn around $39,052. With a cost-of-living index of 105.00 (above the national average), these earnings may be offset by higher expenses in Centennial.
Hourly Rate Calculator
Schedule Comparison in Centennial
| Schedule | Weekly | Monthly | Annual |
|---|---|---|---|
| Full-Time (40 hrs) | $1,301.75 | $5,641 | $67,691 |
| Part-Time (24 hrs) | $781.05 | $3,385 | $40,615 |
| Per Diem (16 hrs) | $520.70 | $2,256 | $27,076 |
Compare SC, LSC Wages With Similar Roles
| Role | Median Hourly |
|---|---|
| School Counselor (Centennial) | $32.54 |
| 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 Centennial, CO earn a median of $67,700 per year (2026 est.), which is 5.23% higher than the national median of $64,335 and 8.10% above the Colorado state average of $62,627.
School Counselor Hourly Pay vs. Cost of Living
Working 24h/week at $32.54/hr = $40,615/year (purchasing power: $38,681).
Working 40h/week (full-time) = $67,691/year (purchasing power: $64,468).
CoL index: 105 (100 = national average).
2019 BLS Actual
$28.28/hr
2025 BLS Actual
$31.89/hr
2026 Current Est.
$32.54/hr
2019–2027 Growth
+17.5%
Hourly Rate Trajectory for School Counselors in Centennial (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 2.05% projection.
| Year | Hourly Rate | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $28.28/hr | Actual |
| 2020 | $28.81/hr | Actual |
| 2021 | $30.00/hr | Actual |
| 2022 | $29.81/hr | Actual |
| 2023 | $30.59/hr | Actual |
| 2024 | $36.02/hr | Actual |
| 2025 | $31.89/hr | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $32.54/hr | Estimated |
| 2027 | $33.21/hr | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, the median hourly rate for school counselors in Centennial grew 12.8% from $28.28/hr (2019) to $31.89/hr (2025). At a 2.05% projected growth rate, hourly pay is expected to reach $33.21/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 Centennial 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 Centennial
A part-time school counselor in Centennial, taking on a 24-hour workweek, could expect to bring home roughly $41,077 annually, contrasting sharply with their full-time counterparts, who typically earn much more. Those working on a per-diem basis, such as private college counselors, often command significantly higher pay, charging anywhere between $150 to $400 per hour in high-cost-of-living markets, tapping into lucrative private consultation opportunities. The remuneration for school counselors can also differ based on the type of institution, whether they are employed in K-12 public school districts, charter schools, or higher education settings. While some counselors may opt for positions offering lower hourly rates in exchange for benefits such as health insurance, others might prioritize higher pay rates without benefits. For counselors considering opportunities in Centennial, negotiating based on the cost of living and the prevailing school counselor hourly rate in CO can result in more favorable pay conditions, especially in light of the rising counselor demand spurred by increased mental health funding post-COVID.
More salary data for Centennial, CO:
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 Centennial. 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 Centennial 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