School Counselor Hourly Pay in Winter Garden, FL: $26.72 (2026)
Quick Answer:Hourly pay for a school counselor working in Winter Garden, FL runs $26.72 at the median for 2026 — annualizing to $55,562 at a standard 2,080-hour year. Figures projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 21-1012). Weighted against Winter Garden's regional price level (BEA RPP 100.8, 1% above national), each hour of work buys what $26.50 nationally would. A 24-hour part-time schedule grosses $33,342 per year.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source

In Winter Garden, Florida, the school counselor hourly pay for 2026 is projected at $26.72, which falls below the national median hourly rate of $30.93. This pay scale reflects the opportunities and challenges faced by part-time and per-diem counselors across various educational settings. For those working three days a week, this translates to flexible employment opportunities in roles such as elementary classroom guidance lessons, middle school small group counseling, and high school individual counseling. The hourly range for school counselors in Winter Garden extends from $20.23 for entry-level positions to $41.40 for experienced professionals. This range indicates the diverse experience levels and roles available in the education sector, giving potential counselors insight into their earning potential based on experience and specific employment situations.
Exploring the financial dynamics for part-time school counselors in Winter Garden reveals interesting insights. A counselor working 24 hours a week might expect to earn roughly $33,545 annually, significantly less than a full-time colleague but balancing time with personal commitments. The industry does see a range of per diem opportunities as well, with private college counselors commanding $150 to $400 per hour in high-cost-of-living markets for specialized advising, leading to potentially lucrative supplemental income. However, the choice between public school roles, which typically come with the benefits of health insurance, and more lucrative private counseling positions can be challenging for professionals weighing stability against pay. Additionally, hourly rates may vary widely among different types of employers ranging from K-12 public school districts to charter and private entities, influencing decisions regarding long-term career paths in the field. School counselors in Winter Garden benefit from considering these factors to negotiate effectively, whether focusing on hourly compensation or weighing benefits that come with traditional employment.
About the Winter Garden 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) | $20.23 | $161.81 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $22.11 | $176.91 |
| Median (P50) | $26.72 | $213.73 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $34.20 | $273.58 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $41.40 | $331.21 |
Estimated Annual Income by Work Schedule in Winter Garden
Based on $26.72/hr median hourly rate · 2026 est.
At $26.72/hr, a school counselor working full-time (40 hr/wk) in Winter Garden, FL can expect to earn approximately $55,571 per year (2026 est.). Part-time hygienists working 24 hours per week would earn around $32,060. With a cost-of-living index of 100.80 (above the national average), these earnings may be offset by higher expenses in Winter Garden.
Hourly Rate Calculator
Schedule Comparison in Winter Garden
| Schedule | Weekly | Monthly | Annual |
|---|---|---|---|
| Full-Time (40 hrs) | $1,068.67 | $4,631 | $55,571 |
| Part-Time (24 hrs) | $641.20 | $2,779 | $33,342 |
| Per Diem (16 hrs) | $427.47 | $1,852 | $22,228 |
Compare SC, LSC Wages With Similar Roles
| Role | Median Hourly |
|---|---|
| School Counselor (Winter Garden) | $26.72 |
| 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 Winter Garden, FL earn a median of $55,562 per year (2026 est.), which is 13.64% lower than the national median of $64,335 and 3.50% below the Florida state average of $57,577.
School Counselor Hourly Pay vs. Cost of Living
Working 24h/week at $26.72/hr = $33,342/year (purchasing power: $33,078).
Working 40h/week (full-time) = $55,571/year (purchasing power: $55,130).
CoL index: 100.8 (100 = national average).
2019 BLS Actual
$23.21/hr
2025 BLS Actual
$26.18/hr
2026 Current Est.
$26.72/hr
2019–2027 Growth
+17.5%
Hourly Rate Trajectory for School Counselors in Winter Garden (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 2.05% projection.
| Year | Hourly Rate | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $23.21/hr | Actual |
| 2020 | $23.65/hr | Actual |
| 2021 | $24.63/hr | Actual |
| 2022 | $24.47/hr | Actual |
| 2023 | $25.11/hr | Actual |
| 2024 | $28.05/hr | Actual |
| 2025 | $26.18/hr | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $26.72/hr | Estimated |
| 2027 | $27.26/hr | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, the median hourly rate for school counselors in Winter Garden grew 12.8% from $23.21/hr (2019) to $26.18/hr (2025). At a 2.05% projected growth rate, hourly pay is expected to reach $27.26/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 Winter Garden 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.
More salary data for Winter Garden, FL:
Frequently Asked Questions
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Do school counselors earn more per hour working part-time in Winter Garden?
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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 Winter Garden. 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 Winter Garden 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