School Counselor Hourly Pay in Denver, CO: $32.26 (2026)
Quick Answer:Hourly pay for a school counselor working in Denver, CO runs $32.26 at the median for 2026 — annualizing to $67,086 at a standard 2,080-hour year. Figures projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 21-1012). Weighted against Denver's regional price level (BEA RPP 105.8, 6% above national), each hour of work buys what $30.49 nationally would. A 24-hour part-time schedule grosses $40,258 per year.
Official BLS data · View source
In 2026, the school counselor hourly pay in Denver, Colorado, is projected to be $32.26, which surpasses the national median hourly rate of $30.93 by 4.28%. This competitive hourly rate becomes particularly significant for part-time professionals working three days a week, allowing them to engage in various roles such as elementary classroom guidance, middle school group counseling, and high school individual sessions. Denver's hourly rates span a range of $24.58 at the entry level to $48.39 for top earners, representing a robust compensation structure reflecting the skill and demand for these positions. The data, based on 2025 BLS OEWS projections, aligns with the increased emphasis on mental health, particularly following recent funding expansions, reinforcing the importance of school counselors across different educational settings.
School Counselor Hourly Wage Breakdown
| Percentile | Hourly Rate | Per 8hr Shift |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $24.58 | $196.67 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $28.90 | $231.20 |
| Median (P50) | $32.26 | $258.06 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $39.84 | $318.72 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $48.39 | $387.14 |
Estimated Annual Income by Work Schedule in Denver
Based on $32.26/hr median hourly rate · 2026 est.
At $32.26/hr, a school counselor working full-time (40 hr/wk) in Denver, CO can expect to earn approximately $67,097 per year (2026 est.). Part-time hygienists working 24 hours per week would earn around $38,710. With a cost-of-living index of 105.78 (above the national average), these earnings may be offset by higher expenses in Denver.
Hourly Rate Calculator
Schedule Comparison in Denver
| Schedule | Weekly | Monthly | Annual |
|---|---|---|---|
| Full-Time (40 hrs) | $1,290.32 | $5,591 | $67,097 |
| Part-Time (24 hrs) | $774.19 | $3,355 | $40,258 |
| Per Diem (16 hrs) | $516.13 | $2,237 | $26,839 |
Compare SC, LSC Wages With Similar Roles
| Role | Median Hourly |
|---|---|
| School Counselor (Denver) | $32.26 |
| 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 Denver, CO earn a median of $67,086 per year (2026 est.), which is 4.28% higher than the national median of $64,335 and 7.10% above the Colorado state average of $62,638.
School Counselor Hourly Pay vs. Cost of Living
Working 24h/week at $32.26/hr = $40,258/year (purchasing power: $38,058).
Working 40h/week (full-time) = $67,097/year (purchasing power: $63,429).
CoL index: 105.782 (100 = national average).
2019 BLS Actual
$25.47/hr
2025 BLS Actual
$31.61/hr
2026 Current Est.
$32.26/hr
2019–2027 Growth
+29.2%
Hourly Rate Trajectory for School Counselors in Denver (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 2.05% projection.
| Year | Hourly Rate | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $25.47/hr | Actual |
| 2020 | $26.38/hr | Actual |
| 2021 | $29.46/hr | Actual |
| 2022 | $29.11/hr | Actual |
| 2023 | $30.07/hr | Actual |
| 2024 | $31.44/hr | Actual |
| 2025 | $31.61/hr | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $32.26/hr | Estimated |
| 2027 | $32.92/hr | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, the median hourly rate for school counselors in Denver grew 24.1% from $25.47/hr (2019) to $31.61/hr (2025). At a 2.05% projected growth rate, hourly pay is expected to reach $32.92/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 Denver 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 Denver
Taking on a part-time role as a school counselor in Denver can lead to significant differences in annual earnings compared to full-time positions. Working just 24 hours a week, a counselor may take home around $25,435 annually, a stark contrast to the earnings of full-time counterparts. Additionally, the per diem school counselor pay in Denver, ranging from $150 to $400 per hour for private college counseling, underscores the lucrative potential of specialized roles beyond traditional school settings. Hourly rates may vary considerably across different employers, with public school districts, charter schools, and private institutions all managing their pay structures uniquely. Some counselors sacrifice higher hourly rates for comprehensive health benefits in public schools, making negotiation of hours and compensation a crucial aspect of managing one's career effectively. Understanding these dynamics and keeping abreast of trends in compensation can help professionals maximize their potential earnings in Denver's educational landscape.
More salary data for Denver, 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 Denver. Part-time and full-time income estimates assume consistent weekly hours and do not account for overtime, benefits, or seasonal variation.
Data Sources & Methodology
Source: BLS, OEWS, 7-year dataset (–). Per-city data from annual BLS metropolitan area surveys.
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