School Counselor Hourly Pay in Tampa, FL: $26.95 (2026)
Quick Answer:Hourly pay for a school counselor working in Tampa, FL runs $26.95 at the median for 2026 — annualizing to $56,065 at a standard 2,080-hour year. Figures projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 21-1012). Weighted against Tampa's regional price level (BEA RPP 100.9, 1% above national), each hour of work buys what $26.71 nationally would. A 24-hour part-time schedule grosses $33,635 per year.
Official BLS data · View source
In 2026, school counselors in Tampa, FL, have a projected median hourly pay of $26.95, which falls below the national median of $30.93. This hourly rate is relevant for those working part-time, such as counselors taking on roles three days a week, allowing for flexible schedules while earning a meaningful income. For instance, part-time counseling positions typically offer engagement in diverse activities such as classroom guidance lessons for younger students, small group counseling in middle schools, or one-on-one sessions in high school settings. The hourly earnings for school counselors can vary significantly in Tampa, with entry-level positions starting at $19.52 (P10) and high earners reaching up to $43.91 (P90). This official BLS data reflects the financial landscape for school counseling in Florida, highlighting both the opportunities and limitations that aspiring professionals may encounter.
School Counselor Hourly Wage Breakdown
| Percentile | Hourly Rate | Per 8hr Shift |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $19.52 | $156.18 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $23.13 | $185.08 |
| Median (P50) | $26.95 | $215.61 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $37.90 | $303.21 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $43.91 | $351.30 |
Estimated Annual Income by Work Schedule in Tampa
Based on $26.95/hr median hourly rate · 2026 est.
At $26.95/hr, a school counselor working full-time (40 hr/wk) in Tampa, FL can expect to earn approximately $56,059 per year (2026 est.). Part-time hygienists working 24 hours per week would earn around $32,342. With a cost-of-living index of 100.89 (above the national average), these earnings may be offset by higher expenses in Tampa.
Hourly Rate Calculator
Schedule Comparison in Tampa
| Schedule | Weekly | Monthly | Annual |
|---|---|---|---|
| Full-Time (40 hrs) | $1,078.06 | $4,672 | $56,059 |
| Part-Time (24 hrs) | $646.83 | $2,803 | $33,635 |
| Per Diem (16 hrs) | $431.22 | $1,869 | $22,424 |
Compare SC, LSC Wages With Similar Roles
| Role | Median Hourly |
|---|---|
| School Counselor (Tampa) | $26.95 |
| 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 Tampa, FL earn a median of $56,065 per year (2026 est.), which is 12.85% lower than the national median of $64,335 and 2.70% below the Florida state average of $57,621.
School Counselor Hourly Pay vs. Cost of Living
Working 24h/week at $26.95/hr = $33,635/year (purchasing power: $33,339).
Working 40h/week (full-time) = $56,059/year (purchasing power: $55,564).
CoL index: 100.89 (100 = national average).
2019 BLS Actual
$26.01/hr
2025 BLS Actual
$26.41/hr
2026 Current Est.
$26.95/hr
2019–2027 Growth
+5.7%
Hourly Rate Trajectory for School Counselors in Tampa (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 2.05% projection.
| Year | Hourly Rate | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $26.01/hr | Actual |
| 2020 | $25.50/hr | Actual |
| 2021 | $26.55/hr | Actual |
| 2022 | $22.99/hr | Actual |
| 2023 | $24.33/hr | Actual |
| 2024 | $26.01/hr | Actual |
| 2025 | $26.41/hr | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $26.95/hr | Estimated |
| 2027 | $27.50/hr | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, the median hourly rate for school counselors in Tampa grew 1.5% from $26.01/hr (2019) to $26.41/hr (2025). At a 2.05% projected growth rate, hourly pay is expected to reach $27.50/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 Tampa 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 Tampa
Hourly compensation for school counselors working part-time can lead to substantial yearly earnings, but the figures may vary widely from those of full-time colleagues. For example, a school counselor working 24 hours a week could potentially earn over $33,000 annually, which is a notable figure compared to a full-time salary. The potential for per diem school counselor pay in Tampa is another avenue, with private college counselors charging between $150 and $400 per hour, especially in higher-cost-of-living markets. Various employer types influence these rates; K-12 public school positions typically offer a lower hourly rate in comparison to the lucrative opportunities found in private or charter schools. Many counselors may exchange higher hourly rates for health benefits typically available in public school positions. In negotiations, understanding the local pay structures and leveraging any specialized skills or certifications can enhance earning potential in this competitive landscape.
More salary data for Tampa, 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 Tampa. Part-time and full-time income estimates assume consistent weekly hours and do not account for overtime, benefits, or seasonal variation.
Data Sources & Methodology
Source: BLS, OEWS, 7-year dataset (–). Per-city data from annual BLS metropolitan area surveys.
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