School Counselor Hourly Pay in Manchester, CT: $35.84 (2026)
Quick Answer:Hourly pay for a school counselor working in Manchester, CT runs $35.84 at the median for 2026 — annualizing to $74,544 at a standard 2,080-hour year. Figures projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 21-1012). Weighted against Manchester's regional price level (BEA RPP 107.9, 8% above national), each hour of work buys what $33.22 nationally would. A 24-hour part-time schedule grosses $44,728 per year.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
In Manchester, Connecticut, the school counselor hourly pay reaches a notable $35.84, surpassing the national hourly median of $30.93 by a significant margin. This competitive rate makes positions highly appealing, especially for part-time professionals looking to balance work across various educational environments. For instance, a school counselor working three days a week can engage in a range of activities, such as conducting elementary classroom guidance lessons, facilitating middle school group sessions, or providing one-on-one counseling in high school settings. With an hourly range of $24.71 for entry-level roles to $55.55 for those at the top of the salary spectrum, aspiring counselors in Manchester can anticipate a variety of earning potentials based on their experience and expertise. These hourly rates derive from estimates using annual salary data, reflecting diverse opportunities in the local educational landscape.
About the Manchester Market
Salary estimated from Connecticut average ($78,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
School Counselor Hourly Wage Breakdown
| Percentile | Hourly Rate | Per 8hr Shift |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $24.71 | $197.65 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $28.12 | $225.00 |
| Median (P50) | $35.84 | $286.72 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $45.87 | $366.97 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $55.55 | $444.37 |
Estimated Annual Income by Work Schedule in Manchester
Based on $35.84/hr median hourly rate · 2026 est.
At $35.84/hr, a school counselor working full-time (40 hr/wk) in Manchester, CT can expect to earn approximately $74,547 per year (2026 est.). Part-time hygienists working 24 hours per week would earn around $43,008. With a cost-of-living index of 107.90 (above the national average), these earnings may be offset by higher expenses in Manchester.
Hourly Rate Calculator
Schedule Comparison in Manchester
| Schedule | Weekly | Monthly | Annual |
|---|---|---|---|
| Full-Time (40 hrs) | $1,433.60 | $6,212 | $74,547 |
| Part-Time (24 hrs) | $860.16 | $3,727 | $44,728 |
| Per Diem (16 hrs) | $573.44 | $2,485 | $29,819 |
Compare SC, LSC Wages With Similar Roles
| Role | Median Hourly |
|---|---|
| School Counselor (Manchester) | $35.84 |
| 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 Manchester, CT earn a median of $74,544 per year (2026 est.), which is 15.87% higher than the national median of $64,335 and 0.80% above the Connecticut state average of $73,953.
School Counselor Hourly Pay vs. Cost of Living
Working 24h/week at $35.84/hr = $44,728/year (purchasing power: $41,453).
Working 40h/week (full-time) = $74,547/year (purchasing power: $69,089).
CoL index: 107.9 (100 = national average).
2019 BLS Actual
$31.14/hr
2025 BLS Actual
$35.12/hr
2026 Current Est.
$35.84/hr
2019–2027 Growth
+17.5%
Hourly Rate Trajectory for School Counselors in Manchester (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 2.05% projection.
| Year | Hourly Rate | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $31.14/hr | Actual |
| 2020 | $31.73/hr | Actual |
| 2021 | $33.03/hr | Actual |
| 2022 | $32.83/hr | Actual |
| 2023 | $33.69/hr | Actual |
| 2024 | $40.81/hr | Actual |
| 2025 | $35.12/hr | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $35.84/hr | Estimated |
| 2027 | $36.57/hr | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, the median hourly rate for school counselors in Manchester grew 12.8% from $31.14/hr (2019) to $35.12/hr (2025). At a 2.05% projected growth rate, hourly pay is expected to reach $36.57/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 Manchester 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 Manchester
In evaluating the financial landscape for school counselors, part-time professionals in Manchester aiming for a three-day work schedule, totaling 24 hours per week, can expect to bring home approximately $45,000 annually if they maintain their hourly position. Although this falls short of full-time earnings, the flexibility can be appealing for those pursuing other interests or responsibilities. For counselors working per diem, particularly in college admissions consulting, the earnings can skyrocket, as rates range from $150 to $400 per hour in high-cost-of-living areas. This underlines a dynamic comparison with K-12 public schools, where salaries often follow a traditional step-and-lane structure similar to teachers. Additionally, school counselors may need to consider the benefits trade-off when evaluating hourly rates, as full-time positions often offer benefits like health insurance that freelance roles do not. Furthermore, negotiating their hourly pay can depend on employer type, with different rates across public schools, charter institutions, and private entities, providing room for strategic discussions about compensation in the Manchester area.
More salary data for Manchester, CT:
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 Manchester. 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 Manchester 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