School Counselor Hourly Pay in Pinellas Park, FL: $27.19 (2026)
Quick Answer:Hourly pay for a school counselor working in Pinellas Park, FL runs $27.19 at the median for 2026 — annualizing to $56,539 at a standard 2,080-hour year. Figures projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 21-1012). Weighted against Pinellas Park's regional price level (BEA RPP 100.8, 1% above national), each hour of work buys what $26.97 nationally would. A 24-hour part-time schedule grosses $33,928 per year.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
In Pinellas Park, FL, the school counselor hourly pay reaches a median rate of $27.19, which is 12.12% lower than the national median of $30.93. This rate becomes essential for those looking to work part-time or on a per-diem basis. For instance, a counselor working three days a week can balance their schedule while significantly impacting students' well-being across various environments, such as providing classroom guidance lessons in elementary schools, facilitating group sessions in middle schools, or offering college counseling. The hourly pay range in Pinellas Park extends from $19.73 at the entry level to $42.14 for those at the top of their field, offering potential earnings that reflect the counselor's experience and the specific demands of their role, even as these figures are based on projected annual salary data for 2026.
About the Pinellas Park 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) | $19.73 | $157.81 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $22.07 | $176.59 |
| Median (P50) | $27.19 | $217.49 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $34.26 | $274.07 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $42.14 | $337.09 |
Estimated Annual Income by Work Schedule in Pinellas Park
Based on $27.19/hr median hourly rate · 2026 est.
At $27.19/hr, a school counselor working full-time (40 hr/wk) in Pinellas Park, FL can expect to earn approximately $56,547 per year (2026 est.). Part-time hygienists working 24 hours per week would earn around $32,623. With a cost-of-living index of 100.80 (above the national average), these earnings may be offset by higher expenses in Pinellas Park.
Hourly Rate Calculator
Schedule Comparison in Pinellas Park
| Schedule | Weekly | Monthly | Annual |
|---|---|---|---|
| Full-Time (40 hrs) | $1,087.44 | $4,712 | $56,547 |
| Part-Time (24 hrs) | $652.47 | $2,827 | $33,928 |
| Per Diem (16 hrs) | $434.98 | $1,885 | $22,619 |
Compare SC, LSC Wages With Similar Roles
| Role | Median Hourly |
|---|---|
| School Counselor (Pinellas Park) | $27.19 |
| 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 Pinellas Park, FL earn a median of $56,539 per year (2026 est.), which is 12.12% lower than the national median of $64,335 and 1.90% below the Florida state average of $57,634.
School Counselor Hourly Pay vs. Cost of Living
Working 24h/week at $27.19/hr = $33,928/year (purchasing power: $33,659).
Working 40h/week (full-time) = $56,547/year (purchasing power: $56,098).
CoL index: 100.8 (100 = national average).
2019 BLS Actual
$23.62/hr
2025 BLS Actual
$26.64/hr
2026 Current Est.
$27.19/hr
2019–2027 Growth
+17.5%
Hourly Rate Trajectory for School Counselors in Pinellas Park (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 2.05% projection.
| Year | Hourly Rate | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $23.62/hr | Actual |
| 2020 | $24.07/hr | Actual |
| 2021 | $25.06/hr | Actual |
| 2022 | $24.90/hr | Actual |
| 2023 | $25.56/hr | Actual |
| 2024 | $28.54/hr | Actual |
| 2025 | $26.64/hr | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $27.19/hr | Estimated |
| 2027 | $27.74/hr | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, the median hourly rate for school counselors in Pinellas Park grew 12.8% from $23.62/hr (2019) to $26.64/hr (2025). At a 2.05% projected growth rate, hourly pay is expected to reach $27.74/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 Pinellas Park 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 Pinellas Park
When considering the financial realities of working as a school counselor in Pinellas Park, part-time professionals opting for a three-day workweek may expect to take home around $33,915 annually, a contrast to the full-time norm. Meanwhile, per diem school counselor pay in Pinellas Park varies widely; private college counselors often charge between $150 and $400 per hour, highlighting the disparity in compensation across settings. Different educational environments such as K-12 public schools, charter institutions, and private or parochial schools offer varied hourly rates due to distinct budget structures. While full-time counselors might receive benefits alongside their base pay, those choosing higher hourly rates must weigh this against the lack of health insurance. Effective negotiation strategies can empower hourly workers to secure better pay, particularly given the increased demand for counselors amid expanded mental health funding, thus encouraging skilled professionals to find a setting that matches their financial and personal needs.
More salary data for Pinellas Park, FL:
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the hourly rate for school counselors in Pinellas Park in 2026?
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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 Pinellas Park. 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 Pinellas Park 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