School Counselor Hourly Pay in Melbourne, FL: $29.26 (2026)
Quick Answer:Hourly pay for a school counselor working in Melbourne, FL runs $29.26 at the median for 2026 — annualizing to $60,848 at a standard 2,080-hour year. Figures projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 21-1012). Weighted against Melbourne's regional price level (BEA RPP 100.8, 1% above national), each hour of work buys what $29.03 nationally would. A 24-hour part-time schedule grosses $36,514 per year.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
In Melbourne, Florida, the typical school counselor hourly pay is projected to be $29.26 in 2026, which falls slightly below the national median hourly rate of $30.93. For school counselors who opt for part-time work—such as those who serve three days a week—this hourly rate translates to varied income levels depending on their hours and sessions. Part-time counselors working in settings like elementary classroom guidance or high school counseling offices can earn a decent income without committing to full-time hours. Entry-level counselors can expect an hourly rate starting at approximately $20.49, while experienced professionals in more demanding roles could earn up to $45.34 per hour, illustrating a healthy potential for career growth in Melbourne's school counseling sector.
About the Melbourne 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) | $20.49 | $163.93 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $23.10 | $184.83 |
| Median (P50) | $29.26 | $234.06 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $37.34 | $298.72 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $45.34 | $362.73 |
Estimated Annual Income by Work Schedule in Melbourne
Based on $29.26/hr median hourly rate · 2026 est.
At $29.26/hr, a school counselor working full-time (40 hr/wk) in Melbourne, FL can expect to earn approximately $60,856 per year (2026 est.). Part-time hygienists working 24 hours per week would earn around $35,109. With a cost-of-living index of 100.80 (above the national average), these earnings may be offset by higher expenses in Melbourne.
Hourly Rate Calculator
Schedule Comparison in Melbourne
| Schedule | Weekly | Monthly | Annual |
|---|---|---|---|
| Full-Time (40 hrs) | $1,170.31 | $5,071 | $60,856 |
| Part-Time (24 hrs) | $702.19 | $3,043 | $36,514 |
| Per Diem (16 hrs) | $468.12 | $2,029 | $24,342 |
Compare SC, LSC Wages With Similar Roles
| Role | Median Hourly |
|---|---|
| School Counselor (Melbourne) | $29.26 |
| 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 Melbourne, FL earn a median of $60,848 per year (2026 est.), which is 5.42% lower than the national median of $64,335 and 5.60% above the Florida state average of $57,622.
School Counselor Hourly Pay vs. Cost of Living
Working 24h/week at $29.26/hr = $36,514/year (purchasing power: $36,224).
Working 40h/week (full-time) = $60,856/year (purchasing power: $60,373).
CoL index: 100.8 (100 = national average).
2019 BLS Actual
$25.42/hr
2025 BLS Actual
$28.67/hr
2026 Current Est.
$29.26/hr
2019–2027 Growth
+17.5%
Hourly Rate Trajectory for School Counselors in Melbourne (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 2.05% projection.
| Year | Hourly Rate | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $25.42/hr | Actual |
| 2020 | $25.90/hr | Actual |
| 2021 | $26.97/hr | Actual |
| 2022 | $26.80/hr | Actual |
| 2023 | $27.50/hr | Actual |
| 2024 | $29.45/hr | Actual |
| 2025 | $28.67/hr | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $29.26/hr | Estimated |
| 2027 | $29.86/hr | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, the median hourly rate for school counselors in Melbourne grew 12.8% from $25.42/hr (2019) to $28.67/hr (2025). At a 2.05% projected growth rate, hourly pay is expected to reach $29.86/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 Melbourne 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 Melbourne
While some choose to work part-time and manage a schedule that allows for a balanced life, it’s essential to evaluate how their annual take-home pay compares to full-time counselors. For those working 24 hours a week, annual earnings would be roughly $45,000, while full-time positions offer additional benefits such as health insurance and retirement plans. In Melbourne, per diem school counselor pay is also noteworthy, especially in private practice where counselors charge between $150 and $400 an hour. Furthermore, hourly rates can fluctuate across different educational settings; K-12 public schools, charter schools, and private institutions all offer varying compensation structures. Counselors may need to negotiate these terms carefully, weighing the benefits of security found in full-time roles against the higher hourly rates that independent contractors might command. Understanding the landscape of compensation in both public and private education settings can empower school counselors to make informed decisions about their careers.
More salary data for Melbourne, FL:
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the hourly rate for school counselors in Melbourne in 2026?
How much do part-time school counselors make in Melbourne?
Are school counselors in Melbourne paid hourly or salary?
How much does a full-time school counselor make per year in Melbourne?
Do school counselors earn more per hour working part-time in Melbourne?
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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 Melbourne. 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 Melbourne 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