School Counselor Hourly Pay in Fort Lauderdale, FL: $27.06 (2026)
Quick Answer:Hourly pay for a school counselor working in Fort Lauderdale, FL runs $27.06 at the median for 2026 — annualizing to $56,286 at a standard 2,080-hour year. Figures projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 21-1012). Weighted against Fort Lauderdale's regional price level (BEA RPP 100.8, 1% above national), each hour of work buys what $26.85 nationally would. A 24-hour part-time schedule grosses $33,775 per year.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
In Fort Lauderdale, Florida, the school counselor hourly pay is projected at $27.06 in 2026, which falls short of the national hourly median of $30.93. This discrepancy in pay can impact professionals considering part-time roles or per-diem positions in various educational settings such as elementary schools, middle schools, high schools, and colleges. For instance, those working just three days a week can still engage in meaningful guidance activities, ranging from classroom lessons to individual counseling sessions. The hourly pay also reflects a significant range, with entry-level counselors earning approximately $19.10 per hour, while top earners might reach $41.94. Such variations allow professionals to tailor their working hours according to both their financial needs and personal commitments.
About the Fort Lauderdale Market
Salary estimated from Florida average ($60,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
School Counselor Hourly Wage Breakdown
| Percentile | Hourly Rate | Per 8hr Shift |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $19.10 | $152.83 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $21.56 | $172.51 |
| Median (P50) | $27.06 | $216.51 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $34.64 | $277.09 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $41.94 | $335.54 |
Estimated Annual Income by Work Schedule in Fort Lauderdale
Based on $27.06/hr median hourly rate · 2026 est.
At $27.06/hr, a school counselor working full-time (40 hr/wk) in Fort Lauderdale, FL can expect to earn approximately $56,292 per year (2026 est.). Part-time hygienists working 24 hours per week would earn around $32,476. With a cost-of-living index of 100.80 (above the national average), these earnings may be offset by higher expenses in Fort Lauderdale.
Hourly Rate Calculator
Schedule Comparison in Fort Lauderdale
| Schedule | Weekly | Monthly | Annual |
|---|---|---|---|
| Full-Time (40 hrs) | $1,082.55 | $4,691 | $56,292 |
| Part-Time (24 hrs) | $649.53 | $2,815 | $33,775 |
| Per Diem (16 hrs) | $433.02 | $1,876 | $22,517 |
Compare SC, LSC Wages With Similar Roles
| Role | Median Hourly |
|---|---|
| School Counselor (Fort Lauderdale) | $27.06 |
| 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 Fort Lauderdale, FL earn a median of $56,286 per year (2026 est.), which is 12.51% lower than the national median of $64,335 and 2.30% below the Florida state average of $57,611.
School Counselor Hourly Pay vs. Cost of Living
Working 24h/week at $27.06/hr = $33,775/year (purchasing power: $33,507).
Working 40h/week (full-time) = $56,292/year (purchasing power: $55,846).
CoL index: 100.8 (100 = national average).
2019 BLS Actual
$23.51/hr
2025 BLS Actual
$26.52/hr
2026 Current Est.
$27.06/hr
2019–2027 Growth
+17.5%
Hourly Rate Trajectory for School Counselors in Fort Lauderdale (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 2.05% projection.
| Year | Hourly Rate | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $23.51/hr | Actual |
| 2020 | $23.96/hr | Actual |
| 2021 | $24.95/hr | Actual |
| 2022 | $24.79/hr | Actual |
| 2023 | $25.44/hr | Actual |
| 2024 | $28.94/hr | Actual |
| 2025 | $26.52/hr | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $27.06/hr | Estimated |
| 2027 | $27.62/hr | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, the median hourly rate for school counselors in Fort Lauderdale grew 12.8% from $23.51/hr (2019) to $26.52/hr (2025). At a 2.05% projected growth rate, hourly pay is expected to reach $27.62/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 Fort Lauderdale 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 Fort Lauderdale
Examining the earning potential for part-time school counselors shows that a 24-hour work week would yield an annual income of around $33,235, significantly less than a full-time position. For those working per diem, the reality can differ vastly; private college counselors often charge between $150 and $400 per hour for consulting services in high cost-of-living (HCOL) markets. Adding extended school year responsibilities may also augment a counselor's income by $5,000 to $15,000, dependent on the scope of their duties. Additionally, counselors working in diverse contexts—K-12 public schools, charter schools, and private institutions—experience varying pay structures. While K-12 districts typically adhere to established step-and-lane pay structures similar to teachers, some counselors may opt for lower hourly pay for the added benefit of health insurance. Negotiation strategies should emphasize the specific demands of the Fort Lauderdale market, with a focus on securing fair compensation that reflects the schooling context and individual qualifications.
More salary data for Fort Lauderdale, FL:
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the hourly rate for school counselors in Fort Lauderdale in 2026?
How much do part-time school counselors make in Fort Lauderdale?
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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 Fort Lauderdale. 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 Fort Lauderdale 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