School Counselor Hourly Pay in Winter Haven, FL: $28.61 (2026)
Quick Answer:Hourly pay for a school counselor working in Winter Haven, FL runs $28.61 at the median for 2026 — annualizing to $59,523 at a standard 2,080-hour year. Figures projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 21-1012). Weighted against Winter Haven's regional price level (BEA RPP 100.8, 1% above national), each hour of work buys what $28.39 nationally would. A 24-hour part-time schedule grosses $35,711 per year.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
In Winter Haven, the projected school counselor hourly pay for 2026 stands at $28.61, which is slightly lower than the national average of $30.93. This hourly rate suggests that school counselors in this city can expect to earn a reasonable income, especially when considering part-time roles that often operate on a three-day workweek. For counselors working in environments such as elementary guidance lessons, middle school small group counseling sessions, or high school individual counseling offices, this pay translates to a steady income while allowing for flexibility. The hourly range for school counselors in Winter Haven varies significantly, with entry-level positions starting at around $19.93 (P10) while top earners can bring in as much as $44.35 (P90). These figures are derived from annual salary data and reflect a growing emphasis on the mental health needs within schools, a trend that has gained momentum post-COVID.
About the Winter Haven 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) | $19.93 | $159.44 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $22.52 | $180.18 |
| Median (P50) | $28.61 | $228.92 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $36.63 | $293.01 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $44.35 | $354.81 |
Estimated Annual Income by Work Schedule in Winter Haven
Based on $28.61/hr median hourly rate · 2026 est.
At $28.61/hr, a school counselor working full-time (40 hr/wk) in Winter Haven, FL can expect to earn approximately $59,519 per year (2026 est.). Part-time hygienists working 24 hours per week would earn around $34,338. With a cost-of-living index of 100.80 (above the national average), these earnings may be offset by higher expenses in Winter Haven.
Hourly Rate Calculator
Schedule Comparison in Winter Haven
| Schedule | Weekly | Monthly | Annual |
|---|---|---|---|
| Full-Time (40 hrs) | $1,144.59 | $4,960 | $59,519 |
| Part-Time (24 hrs) | $686.76 | $2,976 | $35,711 |
| Per Diem (16 hrs) | $457.84 | $1,984 | $23,808 |
Compare SC, LSC Wages With Similar Roles
| Role | Median Hourly |
|---|---|
| School Counselor (Winter Haven) | $28.61 |
| 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 Haven, FL earn a median of $59,523 per year (2026 est.), which is 7.48% lower than the national median of $64,335 and 3.30% above the Florida state average of $57,621.
School Counselor Hourly Pay vs. Cost of Living
Working 24h/week at $28.61/hr = $35,711/year (purchasing power: $35,428).
Working 40h/week (full-time) = $59,519/year (purchasing power: $59,046).
CoL index: 100.8 (100 = national average).
2019 BLS Actual
$24.86/hr
2025 BLS Actual
$28.04/hr
2026 Current Est.
$28.61/hr
2019–2027 Growth
+17.5%
Hourly Rate Trajectory for School Counselors in Winter Haven (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 2.05% projection.
| Year | Hourly Rate | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $24.86/hr | Actual |
| 2020 | $25.33/hr | Actual |
| 2021 | $26.37/hr | Actual |
| 2022 | $26.21/hr | Actual |
| 2023 | $26.90/hr | Actual |
| 2024 | $29.38/hr | Actual |
| 2025 | $28.04/hr | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $28.61/hr | Estimated |
| 2027 | $29.20/hr | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, the median hourly rate for school counselors in Winter Haven grew 12.8% from $24.86/hr (2019) to $28.04/hr (2025). At a 2.05% projected growth rate, hourly pay is expected to reach $29.20/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 Haven 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 Winter Haven
Analyzing part-time earning potential, a school counselor working three days a week for 24 hours, could take home about $36,860 annually, which pales in comparison to a full-time counselor's earnings. The per diem school counselor pay in Winter Haven can vary greatly, especially for private college counselors who often charge between $150 and $400 per hour in higher cost-of-living markets. For those interested in working as agency professionals or on a locum basis, the opportunities often present significant earning potential during extended months like summer, where additional counseling roles can add $5,000 to $15,000 to a base pay. However, school counselors in K-12 public education typically earn lower hourly wages than their counterparts in private, charter, or post-secondary settings, each with varying benefits. For counselors negotiating contracts in Winter Haven, balancing the attraction of higher pay against job security and benefits becomes crucial. Engaging in open discussions regarding compensation and the scope of work can lead to favorable outcomes, especially in districts concerned about the current ASCA-recommended school counselor-to-student ratio challenges.
More salary data for Winter Haven, FL:
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the hourly rate for school counselors in Winter Haven in 2026?
How much do part-time school counselors make in Winter Haven?
Are school counselors in Winter Haven paid hourly or salary?
How much does a full-time school counselor make per year in Winter Haven?
Do school counselors earn more per hour working part-time in Winter Haven?
Related Pages
Compare Salaries
Career Resources
Nearby Cities in Florida
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 Haven. 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 Haven 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