School Counselor Hourly Pay in Pueblo, CO: $29.11 (2026)
Quick Answer:Hourly pay for a school counselor working in Pueblo, CO runs $29.11 at the median for 2026 — annualizing to $60,545 at a standard 2,080-hour year. Figures projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 21-1012). Weighted against Pueblo's regional price level (BEA RPP 91.8, 8% below national), each hour of work buys what $31.73 nationally would. A 24-hour part-time schedule grosses $36,335 per year.
Official BLS data · View source
In Pueblo, Colorado, the school counselor hourly pay stands at a median of $29.11, which falls slightly below the national hourly median of $30.93. This figure translates to varying income levels for professionals engaged in part-time work or per-diem roles, such as providing guidance lessons in elementary schools, conducting small group counseling in middle schools, or offering individual support in high school settings. At this hourly rate, entry-level counselors can expect to earn around $22.94, while top earners in the profession can make up to $44.59 per hour. These statistics, derived from official data, reflect the earning potential within the local school systems and highlight the demand for skilled counselors in both public and private educational settings.
School Counselor Hourly Wage Breakdown
| Percentile | Hourly Rate | Per 8hr Shift |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $22.94 | $183.53 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $24.84 | $198.71 |
| Median (P50) | $29.11 | $232.92 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $36.04 | $288.35 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $44.59 | $356.69 |
Estimated Annual Income by Work Schedule in Pueblo
Based on $29.11/hr median hourly rate · 2026 est.
At $29.11/hr, a school counselor working full-time (40 hr/wk) in Pueblo, CO can expect to earn approximately $60,559 per year (2026 est.). Part-time hygienists working 24 hours per week would earn around $34,938. With a cost-of-living index of 91.76 (below the national average), these earnings stretch further in Pueblo.
Hourly Rate Calculator
Schedule Comparison in Pueblo
| Schedule | Weekly | Monthly | Annual |
|---|---|---|---|
| Full-Time (40 hrs) | $1,164.59 | $5,047 | $60,559 |
| Part-Time (24 hrs) | $698.76 | $3,028 | $36,335 |
| Per Diem (16 hrs) | $465.84 | $2,019 | $24,224 |
Compare SC, LSC Wages With Similar Roles
| Role | Median Hourly |
|---|---|
| School Counselor (Pueblo) | $29.11 |
| 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 Pueblo, CO earn a median of $60,545 per year (2026 est.), which is 5.89% lower than the national median of $64,335 and 3.40% below the Colorado state average of $62,676.
School Counselor Hourly Pay vs. Cost of Living
Working 24h/week at $29.11/hr = $36,335/year (purchasing power: $39,597).
Working 40h/week (full-time) = $60,559/year (purchasing power: $65,996).
CoL index: 91.762 (100 = national average). Your dollars stretch further here.
2019 BLS Actual
$25.67/hr
2025 BLS Actual
$28.53/hr
2026 Current Est.
$29.11/hr
2019–2027 Growth
+15.7%
Hourly Rate Trajectory for School Counselors in Pueblo (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 2.05% projection.
| Year | Hourly Rate | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $25.67/hr | Actual |
| 2020 | $27.56/hr | Actual |
| 2021 | $29.09/hr | Actual |
| 2022 | $23.44/hr | Actual |
| 2023 | $24.84/hr | Actual |
| 2024 | $26.83/hr | Actual |
| 2025 | $28.53/hr | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $29.11/hr | Estimated |
| 2027 | $29.71/hr | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, the median hourly rate for school counselors in Pueblo grew 11.1% from $25.67/hr (2019) to $28.53/hr (2025). At a 2.05% projected growth rate, hourly pay is expected to reach $29.71/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 Pueblo 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 Pueblo
Beyond the numbers, there's a significant difference in earning potential between part-time counselors and their full-time counterparts in Pueblo. A school counselor working three days a week typically brings home a salary of approximately $21,000, compared to a full-time professional who could earn significantly more. Per diem school counselor pay in Pueblo is less common, but those working in higher education settings charge rates ranging from $150 to $400 per hour, particularly as private college admissions consulting becomes more lucrative in competitive markets. Rates differ based on the employer—K-12 public schools typically adhere to a step-and-lane pay structure similar to that of teachers, while charter and private schools may offer distinctive wage packages. Moreover, many counselors may choose positions with lower hourly rates to secure benefits like health insurance, thus indicating the trade-offs professionals face when considering their compensation structures. For those negotiating their pay, leveraging local job market insights and understanding the nuances in employer types could enhance their prospects in achieving fair compensation.
More salary data for Pueblo, 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 Pueblo. 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