School Counselor Hourly Pay in Shelton, CT: $30.90 (2026)
Quick Answer:Hourly pay for a school counselor working in Shelton, CT runs $30.90 at the median for 2026 — annualizing to $64,278 at a standard 2,080-hour year. Figures projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 21-1012). Weighted against Shelton's regional price level (BEA RPP 107.9, 8% above national), each hour of work buys what $28.64 nationally would. A 24-hour part-time schedule grosses $38,564 per year.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
Shelton, Connecticut, offers a median hourly pay of $30.90 for school counselors, which aligns closely with the national median of $30.93. This competitive hourly rate allows school counselors to earn a reasonable wage while working in various settings, such as elementary classroom guidance, middle school small group counseling, and high school individual counseling offices. For those pursuing part-time or per-diem roles, such as working three days a week, candidates can expect to earn around $30.90 for each hour worked, which positions entry-level counselors at approximately $22.20 per hour, while seasoned professionals can earn upwards of $47.86. It’s important to keep in mind that these hourly estimates are derived from projected annual salary data and reflect workforce dynamics specific to Shelton's educational environment.
About the Shelton 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) | $22.20 | $177.57 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $24.70 | $197.57 |
| Median (P50) | $30.90 | $247.21 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $39.42 | $315.38 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $47.86 | $382.89 |
Estimated Annual Income by Work Schedule in Shelton
Based on $30.90/hr median hourly rate · 2026 est.
At $30.90/hr, a school counselor working full-time (40 hr/wk) in Shelton, CT can expect to earn approximately $64,274 per year (2026 est.). Part-time hygienists working 24 hours per week would earn around $37,081. With a cost-of-living index of 107.90 (above the national average), these earnings may be offset by higher expenses in Shelton.
Hourly Rate Calculator
Schedule Comparison in Shelton
| Schedule | Weekly | Monthly | Annual |
|---|---|---|---|
| Full-Time (40 hrs) | $1,236.03 | $5,356 | $64,274 |
| Part-Time (24 hrs) | $741.62 | $3,214 | $38,564 |
| Per Diem (16 hrs) | $494.41 | $2,142 | $25,709 |
Compare SC, LSC Wages With Similar Roles
| Role | Median Hourly |
|---|---|
| School Counselor (Shelton) | $30.90 |
| 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 Shelton, CT earn a median of $64,278 per year (2026 est.), which is 0.09% lower than the national median of $64,335 and 13.00% below the Connecticut state average of $73,883.
School Counselor Hourly Pay vs. Cost of Living
Working 24h/week at $30.90/hr = $38,564/year (purchasing power: $35,741).
Working 40h/week (full-time) = $64,274/year (purchasing power: $59,568).
CoL index: 107.9 (100 = national average).
2019 BLS Actual
$26.85/hr
2025 BLS Actual
$30.28/hr
2026 Current Est.
$30.90/hr
2019–2027 Growth
+17.5%
Hourly Rate Trajectory for School Counselors in Shelton (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 2.05% projection.
| Year | Hourly Rate | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $26.85/hr | Actual |
| 2020 | $27.36/hr | Actual |
| 2021 | $28.48/hr | Actual |
| 2022 | $28.31/hr | Actual |
| 2023 | $29.05/hr | Actual |
| 2024 | $40.06/hr | Actual |
| 2025 | $30.28/hr | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $30.90/hr | Estimated |
| 2027 | $31.53/hr | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, the median hourly rate for school counselors in Shelton grew 12.8% from $26.85/hr (2019) to $30.28/hr (2025). At a 2.05% projected growth rate, hourly pay is expected to reach $31.53/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 Shelton 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 Shelton
For school counselors working part-time, earning potential can vary significantly. A counselor working 24 hours a week at the median hourly rate would take home around $38,076 annually, considerably less than a full-time colleague. Many school districts have begun employing per-diem school counselors, particularly for high-demand roles such as crisis response, where rates can reach as high as $400 per hour in private settings. Additionally, positions within various educational institutions, from K-12 public schools to charter and private schools, may offer different wages due to specific funding and resources available. While some counselors may accept lower hourly rates for comprehensive benefits, others might prefer higher pay without health insurance, particularly those engaged in agency or locum work. For those negotiating their hourly pay in Shelton, understanding the varied payment structures and compensation for different employer types, especially post-COVID with increased mental health funding, will be crucial for securing beneficial employment arrangements.
More salary data for Shelton, 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 Shelton. 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 Shelton 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