School Counselor Hourly Pay in Fishers, IN: $27.97 (2026)
Quick Answer:Hourly pay for a school counselor working in Fishers, IN runs $27.97 at the median for 2026 — annualizing to $58,188 at a standard 2,080-hour year. Figures projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 21-1012). Weighted against Fishers's regional price level (BEA RPP 91.3, 9% below national), each hour of work buys what $30.64 nationally would. A 24-hour part-time schedule grosses $34,909 per year.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
In Fishers, Indiana, the school counselor hourly rate stands at $27.97, which is notably lower than the national median of $30.93. For professionals looking to work part-time—such as three days a week—this translates into a meaningful yet limited income stream that reflects the demands of the role, commonly found in elementary, middle, and high school settings, as well as in college counseling environments. The hourly pay range for school counselors varies significantly, from about $18.91 for entry-level positions to a maximum of $43.36 for highly experienced counselors or those in lead roles. These hourly figures are derived from projected annual salary information, highlighting the potential earnings based on experience and setting while emphasizing the need for informed choices among various employment scenarios.
About the Fishers Market
Salary estimated from Indiana average ($62,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
School Counselor Hourly Wage Breakdown
| Percentile | Hourly Rate | Per 8hr Shift |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $18.91 | $151.28 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $21.58 | $172.67 |
| Median (P50) | $27.97 | $223.78 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $35.24 | $281.90 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $43.36 | $346.89 |
Estimated Annual Income by Work Schedule in Fishers
Based on $27.97/hr median hourly rate · 2026 est.
At $27.97/hr, a school counselor working full-time (40 hr/wk) in Fishers, IN can expect to earn approximately $58,182 per year (2026 est.). Part-time hygienists working 24 hours per week would earn around $33,566. With a cost-of-living index of 91.30 (below the national average), these earnings stretch further in Fishers.
Hourly Rate Calculator
Schedule Comparison in Fishers
| Schedule | Weekly | Monthly | Annual |
|---|---|---|---|
| Full-Time (40 hrs) | $1,118.88 | $4,848 | $58,182 |
| Part-Time (24 hrs) | $671.33 | $2,909 | $34,909 |
| Per Diem (16 hrs) | $447.55 | $1,939 | $23,273 |
Compare SC, LSC Wages With Similar Roles
| Role | Median Hourly |
|---|---|
| School Counselor (Fishers) | $27.97 |
| 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 Fishers, IN earn a median of $58,188 per year (2026 est.), which is 9.55% lower than the national median of $64,335 and 0.20% below the Indiana state average of $58,304.
School Counselor Hourly Pay vs. Cost of Living
Working 24h/week at $27.97/hr = $34,909/year (purchasing power: $38,235).
Working 40h/week (full-time) = $58,182/year (purchasing power: $63,726).
CoL index: 91.3 (100 = national average). Your dollars stretch further here.
2019 BLS Actual
$24.30/hr
2025 BLS Actual
$27.41/hr
2026 Current Est.
$27.97/hr
2019–2027 Growth
+17.5%
Hourly Rate Trajectory for School Counselors in Fishers (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 2.05% projection.
| Year | Hourly Rate | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $24.30/hr | Actual |
| 2020 | $24.76/hr | Actual |
| 2021 | $25.78/hr | Actual |
| 2022 | $25.62/hr | Actual |
| 2023 | $26.29/hr | Actual |
| 2024 | $27.15/hr | Actual |
| 2025 | $27.41/hr | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $27.97/hr | Estimated |
| 2027 | $28.55/hr | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, the median hourly rate for school counselors in Fishers grew 12.8% from $24.30/hr (2019) to $27.41/hr (2025). At a 2.05% projected growth rate, hourly pay is expected to reach $28.55/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 Fishers 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 Fishers
Looking beyond the typical school setting, per diem opportunities for counselors, particularly in private colleges, can offer lucrative pay that ranges from $150 to $400 an hour. However, such roles are rare and often come without benefits, which may be appealing to some for the flexibility they allow. In Fishers, school counselor work can differ widely across employer types—whether in K-12 education or post-secondary roles—leading to variations in hourly pay structures. This can present a unique dilemma for counselors weighing the benefits of full-time employment, which often includes health insurance, against the potentially higher hourly rates available in less traditional roles. Practical negotiation is essential in this field; prospective counselors should be prepared to advocate for competitive pay while considering long-term benefits as part of their compensation package, keeping in mind the state's competitive mental health funding initiatives and ASCA's recommended counselor-to-student ratios.
More salary data for Fishers, 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 Fishers. 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 Fishers 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