School Counselor Hourly Pay in Bloomington, IN: $36.03 (2026)
Quick Answer:Hourly pay for a school counselor working in Bloomington, IN runs $36.03 at the median for 2026 — annualizing to $74,947 at a standard 2,080-hour year. Figures projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 21-1012). Weighted against Bloomington's regional price level (BEA RPP 95.1, 5% below national), each hour of work buys what $37.90 nationally would. A 24-hour part-time schedule grosses $44,970 per year.
Official BLS data · View source
In Bloomington, Indiana, the school counselor hourly pay is projected to reach a median of $36.03 per hour in 2026, which is significantly higher than the national median of $30.93 per hour. This competitive pay can be advantageous for part-time counselors, who typically work a schedule of three days a week, contributing to various educational environments, from elementary school guidance to high school individual counseling. The hourly range for school counselors in Bloomington varies widely, with entry-level positions starting around $26.08 per hour and experienced professionals earning as much as $51.12 per hour. These figures, based on 2025 BLS OEWS data, projected to 2026, reflect the value placed on mental health and counseling services in both public and private educational sectors.
School Counselor Hourly Wage Breakdown
| Percentile | Hourly Rate | Per 8hr Shift |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $26.08 | $208.67 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $32.59 | $260.76 |
| Median (P50) | $36.03 | $288.27 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $44.59 | $356.69 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $51.12 | $408.93 |
Estimated Annual Income by Work Schedule in Bloomington
Based on $36.03/hr median hourly rate · 2026 est.
At $36.03/hr, a school counselor working full-time (40 hr/wk) in Bloomington, IN can expect to earn approximately $74,950 per year (2026 est.). Part-time hygienists working 24 hours per week would earn around $43,241. With a cost-of-living index of 95.08 (below the national average), these earnings stretch further in Bloomington.
Hourly Rate Calculator
Schedule Comparison in Bloomington
| Schedule | Weekly | Monthly | Annual |
|---|---|---|---|
| Full-Time (40 hrs) | $1,441.35 | $6,246 | $74,950 |
| Part-Time (24 hrs) | $864.81 | $3,748 | $44,970 |
| Per Diem (16 hrs) | $576.54 | $2,498 | $29,980 |
Compare SC, LSC Wages With Similar Roles
| Role | Median Hourly |
|---|---|
| School Counselor (Bloomington) | $36.03 |
| 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 Bloomington, IN earn a median of $74,947 per year (2026 est.), which is 16.49% higher than the national median of $64,335 and 28.50% above the Indiana state average of $58,324.
School Counselor Hourly Pay vs. Cost of Living
Working 24h/week at $36.03/hr = $44,970/year (purchasing power: $47,295).
Working 40h/week (full-time) = $74,950/year (purchasing power: $78,825).
CoL index: 95.084 (100 = national average). Your dollars stretch further here.
2019 BLS Actual
$31.31/hr
2025 BLS Actual
$35.31/hr
2026 Current Est.
$36.03/hr
2019–2027 Growth
+17.5%
Hourly Rate Trajectory for School Counselors in Bloomington (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 2.05% projection.
| Year | Hourly Rate | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $31.31/hr | Actual |
| 2020 | $22.98/hr | Actual |
| 2021 | $23.84/hr | Actual |
| 2022 | $24.28/hr | Actual |
| 2023 | $34.60/hr | Actual |
| 2024 | $36.84/hr | Actual |
| 2025 | $35.31/hr | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $36.03/hr | Estimated |
| 2027 | $36.77/hr | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, the median hourly rate for school counselors in Bloomington grew 12.8% from $31.31/hr (2019) to $35.31/hr (2025). At a 2.05% projected growth rate, hourly pay is expected to reach $36.77/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 Bloomington 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 Bloomington
When considering the financial landscape for school counselors, part-time work can yield a substantial income, albeit less than what full-time counselors may earn. A counselor working 24 hours a week could expect to take home around $45,000 annually, a figure that reflects the balance between work-life preference and financial needs. Additionally, per diem opportunities for school counselors can vary dramatically; while school coverage positions are less common, some private colleges offer rates between $150 to $400 per hour for direct-pay consulting on college admissions. On the other hand, counselors within public K-12 districts may find their pay structured along the same step-and-lane model as teachers. The choice of hourly wage can often come with a trade-off regarding benefits, as positions with lower pay may provide essential health insurance options. Counselors negotiating hourly rates should be aware of these nuances within Bloomington's job market and determine their priorities across pay, benefits, and the types of schools they wish to work in.
More salary data for Bloomington, IN:
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 Bloomington. 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, 6-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