School Counselor Hourly Pay in Milford, CT: $34.75 (2026)
Quick Answer:Hourly pay for a school counselor working in Milford, CT runs $34.75 at the median for 2026 — annualizing to $72,273 at a standard 2,080-hour year. Figures projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 21-1012). Weighted against Milford's regional price level (BEA RPP 107.9, 8% above national), each hour of work buys what $32.20 nationally would. A 24-hour part-time schedule grosses $43,366 per year.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
In 2026, the school counselor hourly pay in Milford, Connecticut is projected to be $34.75, which is notably higher than the national hourly median of $30.93. This differential offers an appealing opportunity for part-time professionals frequently working in varied educational environments such as elementary classrooms, middle and high school counseling offices, and even college advisory roles. For those engaged in part-time employment, such as a typical 3-day work week, the hourly wage can significantly enhance take-home pay relative to other states. Entry-level counselors may earn around $25.15 per hour, while experienced professionals can command up to $53.86 per hour, reflecting a healthy range for career progression within the Milford educational landscape. It's important to note that these hourly rates are derived from annual salary estimates, anchoring them in the broader financial context of K-12 education.
About the Milford 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) | $25.15 | $201.16 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $28.05 | $224.43 |
| Median (P50) | $34.75 | $277.98 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $44.47 | $355.79 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $53.86 | $430.90 |
Estimated Annual Income by Work Schedule in Milford
Based on $34.75/hr median hourly rate · 2026 est.
At $34.75/hr, a school counselor working full-time (40 hr/wk) in Milford, CT can expect to earn approximately $72,276 per year (2026 est.). Part-time hygienists working 24 hours per week would earn around $41,698. With a cost-of-living index of 107.90 (above the national average), these earnings may be offset by higher expenses in Milford.
Hourly Rate Calculator
Schedule Comparison in Milford
| Schedule | Weekly | Monthly | Annual |
|---|---|---|---|
| Full-Time (40 hrs) | $1,389.92 | $6,023 | $72,276 |
| Part-Time (24 hrs) | $833.95 | $3,614 | $43,366 |
| Per Diem (16 hrs) | $555.97 | $2,409 | $28,910 |
Compare SC, LSC Wages With Similar Roles
| Role | Median Hourly |
|---|---|
| School Counselor (Milford) | $34.75 |
| 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 Milford, CT earn a median of $72,273 per year (2026 est.), which is 12.34% higher than the national median of $64,335 and 2.20% below the Connecticut state average of $73,899.
School Counselor Hourly Pay vs. Cost of Living
Working 24h/week at $34.75/hr = $43,366/year (purchasing power: $40,190).
Working 40h/week (full-time) = $72,276/year (purchasing power: $66,984).
CoL index: 107.9 (100 = national average).
2019 BLS Actual
$30.19/hr
2025 BLS Actual
$34.05/hr
2026 Current Est.
$34.75/hr
2019–2027 Growth
+17.5%
Hourly Rate Trajectory for School Counselors in Milford (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 2.05% projection.
| Year | Hourly Rate | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $30.19/hr | Actual |
| 2020 | $30.76/hr | Actual |
| 2021 | $32.03/hr | Actual |
| 2022 | $31.83/hr | Actual |
| 2023 | $32.66/hr | Actual |
| 2024 | $39.56/hr | Actual |
| 2025 | $34.05/hr | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $34.75/hr | Estimated |
| 2027 | $35.46/hr | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, the median hourly rate for school counselors in Milford grew 12.8% from $30.19/hr (2019) to $34.05/hr (2025). At a 2.05% projected growth rate, hourly pay is expected to reach $35.46/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 Milford 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 Milford
When considering part-time work as a school counselor, earning potential can vary greatly. A counselor working three days a week, totaling 24 hours, could bring home around $43,680 annually, starkly contrasting with full-time professionals. Meanwhile, per diem school counselor pay in Milford often trends higher, especially for short-term coverage or college admissions consulting roles where private college counselors can charge rates ranging from $150 to $400 per hour. Additionally, counselors in various institutional settings—public K-12 schools, charter schools, private institutions, and Department of Defense Education Activity (DoDEA) schools—might experience differing hourly rates that reflect their employment type. Beyond cash compensation, the trade-offs between lower hourly pay with health benefits and higher pay without are crucial for many in the field. Understanding the financial dynamics of school counselor hourly rates in Milford, CT, helps make informed career decisions, especially for those negotiating their compensation packages.
More salary data for Milford, 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 Milford. 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 Milford 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