School Counselor Hourly Pay in Fort Collins, CO: $31.60 (2026)
Quick Answer:Hourly pay for a school counselor working in Fort Collins, CO runs $31.60 at the median for 2026 — annualizing to $65,726 at a standard 2,080-hour year. Figures projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 21-1012). Weighted against Fort Collins's regional price level (BEA RPP 101.1, 1% above national), each hour of work buys what $31.25 nationally would. A 24-hour part-time schedule grosses $39,443 per year.
Official BLS data · View source
In Fort Collins, the school counselor hourly pay stands at $31.60, which slightly exceeds the national hourly median of $30.93. This competitive rate is significant for professionals in varied employment situations, including part-time roles or per-diem work. School counselors in Fort Collins often engage in various settings such as elementary classroom guidance lessons, middle school small group counseling, high school individualized support, and collegiate counseling environments. For those starting their careers, hourly rates can range from $25.83 at the lower end to $39.42 for those with extensive experience and expertise. These figures are reflective of the official Bureau of Labor Statistics data, offering insights into the financial landscape for counseling professionals within the region.
School Counselor Hourly Wage Breakdown
| Percentile | Hourly Rate | Per 8hr Shift |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $25.83 | $206.63 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $28.92 | $231.37 |
| Median (P50) | $31.60 | $252.84 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $36.83 | $294.64 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $39.42 | $315.38 |
Estimated Annual Income by Work Schedule in Fort Collins
Based on $31.60/hr median hourly rate · 2026 est.
At $31.60/hr, a school counselor working full-time (40 hr/wk) in Fort Collins, CO can expect to earn approximately $65,738 per year (2026 est.). Part-time hygienists working 24 hours per week would earn around $37,926. With a cost-of-living index of 101.13 (above the national average), these earnings may be offset by higher expenses in Fort Collins.
Hourly Rate Calculator
Schedule Comparison in Fort Collins
| Schedule | Weekly | Monthly | Annual |
|---|---|---|---|
| Full-Time (40 hrs) | $1,264.20 | $5,478 | $65,738 |
| Part-Time (24 hrs) | $758.52 | $3,287 | $39,443 |
| Per Diem (16 hrs) | $505.68 | $2,191 | $26,295 |
Compare SC, LSC Wages With Similar Roles
| Role | Median Hourly |
|---|---|
| School Counselor (Fort Collins) | $31.60 |
| 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 Fort Collins, CO earn a median of $65,726 per year (2026 est.), which is 2.16% higher than the national median of $64,335 and 4.90% above the Colorado state average of $62,656.
School Counselor Hourly Pay vs. Cost of Living
Working 24h/week at $31.60/hr = $39,443/year (purchasing power: $39,003).
Working 40h/week (full-time) = $65,738/year (purchasing power: $65,005).
CoL index: 101.128 (100 = national average).
2019 BLS Actual
$24.03/hr
2025 BLS Actual
$30.97/hr
2026 Current Est.
$31.60/hr
2019–2027 Growth
+34.2%
Hourly Rate Trajectory for School Counselors in Fort Collins (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 2.05% projection.
| Year | Hourly Rate | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $24.03/hr | Actual |
| 2020 | $24.35/hr | Actual |
| 2021 | $28.87/hr | Actual |
| 2022 | $29.79/hr | Actual |
| 2023 | $28.48/hr | Actual |
| 2024 | $30.81/hr | Actual |
| 2025 | $30.97/hr | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $31.60/hr | Estimated |
| 2027 | $32.25/hr | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, the median hourly rate for school counselors in Fort Collins grew 28.9% from $24.03/hr (2019) to $30.97/hr (2025). At a 2.05% projected growth rate, hourly pay is expected to reach $32.25/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 Fort Collins 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 Fort Collins
For part-time school counselors working three days a week, totaling approximately 24 hours, their annual earnings would be around $38,272. In contrast, full-time positions typically command greater financial stability and benefits. Per-diem school counselor pay in Fort Collins can vary significantly, particularly for private college counselors who charge between $150 and $400 per hour for specialized consulting services. This occupational flexibility allows for varying income strategies, where some counselors might prioritize higher hourly rates without benefits while others may accept lower pay in exchange for comprehensive health coverage. Employment types significantly affect hourly pay, as K-12 public schools offer structured pay based on experience, whereas private institutions or post-secondary agencies may allow for more negotiable rates. For those entering the field or exploring new opportunities, understanding these nuances can enhance their negotiating leverage and align financial goals with professional aspirations.
More salary data for Fort Collins, 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 Fort Collins. 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