School Counselor Hourly Pay in West Hartford, CT: $34.89 (2026)
Quick Answer:Hourly pay for a school counselor working in West Hartford, CT runs $34.89 at the median for 2026 — annualizing to $72,579 at a standard 2,080-hour year. Figures projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 21-1012). Weighted against West Hartford's regional price level (BEA RPP 107.9, 8% above national), each hour of work buys what $32.34 nationally would. A 24-hour part-time schedule grosses $43,544 per year.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
In 2026, school counselors in West Hartford, CT, can expect a median hourly pay of $34.89. This figure is notably above the national median hourly rate of $30.93, reflecting the demand for qualified professionals in this area. For counselors working part-time, such as those serving three days a week, this hourly pay translates to a reasonable income while allowing for flexibility in schedule and workload. The hourly pay range for school counselors in West Hartford starts at $24.46 (P10) for entry-level positions, escalating to a notable $54.09 (P90) for those at the top of the pay scale. This broad range highlights the opportunities available for counselors at different experience levels, especially when considering various work settings that include elementary guidance lessons, middle school counseling groups, and high school individual support sessions.
About the West Hartford 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) | $24.46 | $195.69 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $27.69 | $221.49 |
| Median (P50) | $34.89 | $279.13 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $44.67 | $357.34 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $54.09 | $432.69 |
Estimated Annual Income by Work Schedule in West Hartford
Based on $34.89/hr median hourly rate · 2026 est.
At $34.89/hr, a school counselor working full-time (40 hr/wk) in West Hartford, CT can expect to earn approximately $72,573 per year (2026 est.). Part-time hygienists working 24 hours per week would earn around $41,869. With a cost-of-living index of 107.90 (above the national average), these earnings may be offset by higher expenses in West Hartford.
Hourly Rate Calculator
Schedule Comparison in West Hartford
| Schedule | Weekly | Monthly | Annual |
|---|---|---|---|
| Full-Time (40 hrs) | $1,395.64 | $6,048 | $72,573 |
| Part-Time (24 hrs) | $837.38 | $3,629 | $43,544 |
| Per Diem (16 hrs) | $558.25 | $2,419 | $29,029 |
Compare SC, LSC Wages With Similar Roles
| Role | Median Hourly |
|---|---|
| School Counselor (West Hartford) | $34.89 |
| 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 West Hartford, CT earn a median of $72,579 per year (2026 est.), which is 12.81% higher than the national median of $64,335 and 1.80% below the Connecticut state average of $73,909.
School Counselor Hourly Pay vs. Cost of Living
Working 24h/week at $34.89/hr = $43,544/year (purchasing power: $40,356).
Working 40h/week (full-time) = $72,573/year (purchasing power: $67,260).
CoL index: 107.9 (100 = national average).
2019 BLS Actual
$30.32/hr
2025 BLS Actual
$34.19/hr
2026 Current Est.
$34.89/hr
2019–2027 Growth
+17.5%
Hourly Rate Trajectory for School Counselors in West Hartford (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 2.05% projection.
| Year | Hourly Rate | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $30.32/hr | Actual |
| 2020 | $30.89/hr | Actual |
| 2021 | $32.16/hr | Actual |
| 2022 | $31.96/hr | Actual |
| 2023 | $32.80/hr | Actual |
| 2024 | $39.09/hr | Actual |
| 2025 | $34.19/hr | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $34.89/hr | Estimated |
| 2027 | $35.61/hr | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, the median hourly rate for school counselors in West Hartford grew 12.8% from $30.32/hr (2019) to $34.19/hr (2025). At a 2.05% projected growth rate, hourly pay is expected to reach $35.61/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 West Hartford 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 West Hartford
The financial potential for school counselors in West Hartford further influences their career considerations, especially for those contemplating part-time positions. A counselor working a 24-hour week would take home a significantly different income than a full-time employee, thus necessitating an evaluation of personal financial goals. Per diem or agency counselors, who are less common in school settings, may earn between $150 and $400 per hour for specialized services such as college admissions consulting, creating a distinct contrast to full-time employment stability. Moreover, different types of educational institutions—public K-12 schools, charter networks, private institutions, and even DoDEA schools—each present varied compensation structures. Many school counselors weigh the lower hourly rates against the benefits of full-time roles, such as health insurance, which are often not available to those in higher-paying, part-time jobs. When negotiating hourly pay, consider the unique needs of various employers in West Hartford, adjusting expectations based on the offered benefits and job security as the landscape of school counseling evolves.
More salary data for West Hartford, 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 West Hartford. 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 West Hartford 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