School Counselor Hourly Pay in Steamboat Springs, CO: $28.40 (2026)
Quick Answer:Hourly pay for a school counselor working in Steamboat Springs, CO runs $28.40 at the median for 2026 — annualizing to $59,073 at a standard 2,080-hour year. Figures projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 21-1012). Weighted against Steamboat Springs's regional price level (BEA RPP 105.0, 5% above national), each hour of work buys what $27.05 nationally would. A 24-hour part-time schedule grosses $35,444 per year.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
In Steamboat Springs, Colorado, the school counselor hourly pay is projected to be $28.40 in 2026, which falls below the national hourly median of $30.93. This rate reflects a variety of settings where school counselors work, including elementary classroom guidance lessons, middle school small group counseling, high school individual counseling, and college resource rooms. Part-time or per-diem positions—common for those who might only work three days a week—will typically result in varying weekly earnings based on the number of hours worked. The hourly range for school counselors in the area varies from $20.20 at entry-level positions to $44.02 for top earners, offering a range of opportunities from on-the-ground counseling to more specialized roles.
About the Steamboat Springs 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) | $20.20 | $161.57 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $24.20 | $193.57 |
| Median (P50) | $28.40 | $227.20 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $35.14 | $281.09 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $44.02 | $352.19 |
Estimated Annual Income by Work Schedule in Steamboat Springs
Based on $28.40/hr median hourly rate · 2026 est.
At $28.40/hr, a school counselor working full-time (40 hr/wk) in Steamboat Springs, CO can expect to earn approximately $59,073 per year (2026 est.). Part-time hygienists working 24 hours per week would earn around $34,081. With a cost-of-living index of 105.00 (above the national average), these earnings may be offset by higher expenses in Steamboat Springs.
Hourly Rate Calculator
Schedule Comparison in Steamboat Springs
| Schedule | Weekly | Monthly | Annual |
|---|---|---|---|
| Full-Time (40 hrs) | $1,136.02 | $4,923 | $59,073 |
| Part-Time (24 hrs) | $681.61 | $2,954 | $35,444 |
| Per Diem (16 hrs) | $454.41 | $1,969 | $23,629 |
Compare SC, LSC Wages With Similar Roles
| Role | Median Hourly |
|---|---|
| School Counselor (Steamboat Springs) | $28.40 |
| 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 Steamboat Springs, CO earn a median of $59,073 per year (2026 est.), which is 8.18% lower than the national median of $64,335 and 5.70% below the Colorado state average of $62,643.
School Counselor Hourly Pay vs. Cost of Living
Working 24h/week at $28.40/hr = $35,444/year (purchasing power: $33,756).
Working 40h/week (full-time) = $59,073/year (purchasing power: $56,260).
CoL index: 105 (100 = national average).
2019 BLS Actual
$24.68/hr
2025 BLS Actual
$27.83/hr
2026 Current Est.
$28.40/hr
2019–2027 Growth
+17.5%
Hourly Rate Trajectory for School Counselors in Steamboat Springs (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 2.05% projection.
| Year | Hourly Rate | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $24.68/hr | Actual |
| 2020 | $25.14/hr | Actual |
| 2021 | $26.18/hr | Actual |
| 2022 | $26.02/hr | Actual |
| 2023 | $26.70/hr | Actual |
| 2024 | $33.32/hr | Actual |
| 2025 | $27.83/hr | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $28.40/hr | Estimated |
| 2027 | $28.98/hr | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, the median hourly rate for school counselors in Steamboat Springs grew 12.8% from $24.68/hr (2019) to $27.83/hr (2025). At a 2.05% projected growth rate, hourly pay is expected to reach $28.98/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 Steamboat Springs 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 Steamboat Springs
Exploring the earning potential for part-time school counselors, a 3-day work week of 24 hours yields an annual take-home significantly less than that of full-time staff. For those opting for per-diem roles, opportunities abound in private college counseling where rates can range dramatically from $150 to $400 per hour in high-cost-of-living markets. This reality might push some counselors to seek lesser hourly rates in K-12 public school districts, which often offer health insurance benefits—a trade-off some are willing to accept despite lower pay. Furthermore, school counselors employed by various types of institutions in Steamboat Springs, such as charter schools or private education, will find that hourly rates reflect significant differences in funding and support. Counselors should also consider their negotiating strategy; understanding the local cost of living index, which stands at 105, can be advantageous in discussions regarding compensation and benefits.
More salary data for Steamboat Springs, CO:
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the hourly rate for school counselors in Steamboat Springs in 2026?
How much do part-time school counselors make in Steamboat Springs?
Are school counselors in Steamboat Springs paid hourly or salary?
How much does a full-time school counselor make per year in Steamboat Springs?
Do school counselors earn more per hour working part-time in Steamboat Springs?
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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 Steamboat Springs. 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 Steamboat Springs 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