School Counselor Hourly Pay in St. Cloud, FL: $27.07 (2026)
Quick Answer:Hourly pay for a school counselor working in St. Cloud, FL runs $27.07 at the median for 2026 — annualizing to $56,306 at a standard 2,080-hour year. Figures projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 21-1012). Weighted against St. Cloud's regional price level (BEA RPP 100.8, 1% above national), each hour of work buys what $26.86 nationally would. A 24-hour part-time schedule grosses $33,788 per year.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
In 2026, school counselors in St. Cloud, Florida, earn a median hourly rate of $27.07, which is notably below the national median of $30.93. For those considering part-time or per-diem work in educational settings such as elementary classroom guidance, middle school small group counseling, or high school individual counseling offices, this hourly pay forms the base of their earnings. The hourly wage ranges from $19.55 for entry-level positions to $41.96 for more experienced counselors, providing flexibility for part-timers who may only work three days a week. This pay structure allows for a potential annual income that is competitive, though it remains reflective of the funding levels available for counseling programs in the public educational system in St. Cloud.
About the St. Cloud 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) | $19.55 | $156.42 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $21.85 | $174.79 |
| Median (P50) | $27.07 | $216.59 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $34.65 | $277.17 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $41.96 | $335.70 |
Estimated Annual Income by Work Schedule in St. Cloud
Based on $27.07/hr median hourly rate · 2026 est.
At $27.07/hr, a school counselor working full-time (40 hr/wk) in St. Cloud, FL can expect to earn approximately $56,314 per year (2026 est.). Part-time hygienists working 24 hours per week would earn around $32,489. With a cost-of-living index of 100.80 (above the national average), these earnings may be offset by higher expenses in St. Cloud.
Hourly Rate Calculator
Schedule Comparison in St. Cloud
| Schedule | Weekly | Monthly | Annual |
|---|---|---|---|
| Full-Time (40 hrs) | $1,082.95 | $4,693 | $56,314 |
| Part-Time (24 hrs) | $649.77 | $2,816 | $33,788 |
| Per Diem (16 hrs) | $433.18 | $1,877 | $22,525 |
Compare SC, LSC Wages With Similar Roles
| Role | Median Hourly |
|---|---|
| School Counselor (St. Cloud) | $27.07 |
| 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 St. Cloud, FL earn a median of $56,306 per year (2026 est.), which is 12.48% lower than the national median of $64,335 and 2.30% below the Florida state average of $57,632.
School Counselor Hourly Pay vs. Cost of Living
Working 24h/week at $27.07/hr = $33,788/year (purchasing power: $33,520).
Working 40h/week (full-time) = $56,314/year (purchasing power: $55,867).
CoL index: 100.8 (100 = national average).
2019 BLS Actual
$23.52/hr
2025 BLS Actual
$26.53/hr
2026 Current Est.
$27.07/hr
2019–2027 Growth
+17.5%
Hourly Rate Trajectory for School Counselors in St. Cloud (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 2.05% projection.
| Year | Hourly Rate | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $23.52/hr | Actual |
| 2020 | $23.97/hr | Actual |
| 2021 | $24.95/hr | Actual |
| 2022 | $24.80/hr | Actual |
| 2023 | $25.45/hr | Actual |
| 2024 | $28.42/hr | Actual |
| 2025 | $26.53/hr | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $27.07/hr | Estimated |
| 2027 | $27.63/hr | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, the median hourly rate for school counselors in St. Cloud grew 12.8% from $23.52/hr (2019) to $26.53/hr (2025). At a 2.05% projected growth rate, hourly pay is expected to reach $27.63/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 St. Cloud 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 St. Cloud
The earning potential for part-time school counselors who work 24 hours a week can provide a modest annual income, especially compared to full-time positions. For example, a part-time counselor at $27.07 per hour would take home around $33,797 annually, which contrasts with full-time roles earning considerably more. Additionally, per-diem school counselors can enjoy greater flexibility but may experience significant variations in pay; for example, private college counselors can charge between $150 and $400 per hour for direct-payer admissions consulting. School counselors in St. Cloud may also find differing hourly rates based on their employer type, with K-12 public school districts generally offering lower rates than charter schools or private institutions. Some counselors choose to accept lower hourly wages for job security and benefits, while others opt for higher pay without these safety nets. When negotiating hourly rates, it's essential for local counselors to emphasize their credentials and experience, particularly as the need for skilled professionals in the wake of increased mental health concerns post-COVID continues to rise.
More salary data for St. Cloud, FL:
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 St. Cloud. 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 St. Cloud 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