School Counselor Hourly Pay in Indianapolis, IN: $29.19 (2026)
Quick Answer:Hourly pay for a school counselor working in Indianapolis, IN runs $29.19 at the median for 2026 — annualizing to $60,695 at a standard 2,080-hour year. Figures projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 21-1012). Weighted against Indianapolis's regional price level (BEA RPP 95.7, 4% below national), each hour of work buys what $30.50 nationally would. A 24-hour part-time schedule grosses $36,425 per year.
Official BLS data · View source
In Indianapolis, the school counselor hourly pay is projected at $29.19 in 2026, which falls slightly below the national hourly median of $30.93. This rate reflects the compensation landscape for professionals in settings such as elementary schools, middle school counseling groups, and high school individual sessions. For part-time counselors working three days a week, or per-diem positions, this translates to a balanced income that meets the demands of diverse school environments including guidance lessons and crisis response scenarios. As reported, hourly rates can vary significantly in Indianapolis, ranging from $20.62 for entry-level positions to as high as $40.39 for those in the 90th percentile of earners within this profession, as per the official BLS data.
School Counselor Hourly Wage Breakdown
| Percentile | Hourly Rate | Per 8hr Shift |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $20.62 | $164.99 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $24.19 | $193.49 |
| Median (P50) | $29.19 | $233.49 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $36.14 | $289.09 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $40.39 | $323.13 |
Estimated Annual Income by Work Schedule in Indianapolis
Based on $29.19/hr median hourly rate · 2026 est.
At $29.19/hr, a school counselor working full-time (40 hr/wk) in Indianapolis, IN can expect to earn approximately $60,708 per year (2026 est.). Part-time hygienists working 24 hours per week would earn around $35,024. With a cost-of-living index of 95.70 (below the national average), these earnings stretch further in Indianapolis.
Hourly Rate Calculator
Schedule Comparison in Indianapolis
| Schedule | Weekly | Monthly | Annual |
|---|---|---|---|
| Full-Time (40 hrs) | $1,167.45 | $5,059 | $60,708 |
| Part-Time (24 hrs) | $700.47 | $3,035 | $36,425 |
| Per Diem (16 hrs) | $466.98 | $2,024 | $24,283 |
Compare SC, LSC Wages With Similar Roles
| Role | Median Hourly |
|---|---|
| School Counselor (Indianapolis) | $29.19 |
| 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 Indianapolis, IN earn a median of $60,695 per year (2026 est.), which is 5.66% lower than the national median of $64,335 and 4.10% above the Indiana state average of $58,305.
School Counselor Hourly Pay vs. Cost of Living
Working 24h/week at $29.19/hr = $36,425/year (purchasing power: $38,063).
Working 40h/week (full-time) = $60,708/year (purchasing power: $63,438).
CoL index: 95.696 (100 = national average). Your dollars stretch further here.
2019 BLS Actual
$24.61/hr
2025 BLS Actual
$28.60/hr
2026 Current Est.
$29.19/hr
2019–2027 Growth
+21.0%
Hourly Rate Trajectory for School Counselors in Indianapolis (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 2.05% projection.
| Year | Hourly Rate | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $24.61/hr | Actual |
| 2020 | $24.45/hr | Actual |
| 2021 | $23.81/hr | Actual |
| 2022 | $24.09/hr | Actual |
| 2023 | $26.50/hr | Actual |
| 2024 | $28.36/hr | Actual |
| 2025 | $28.60/hr | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $29.19/hr | Estimated |
| 2027 | $29.78/hr | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, the median hourly rate for school counselors in Indianapolis grew 16.2% from $24.61/hr (2019) to $28.60/hr (2025). At a 2.05% projected growth rate, hourly pay is expected to reach $29.78/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 Indianapolis 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 Indianapolis
When examining part-time opportunities for school counselors in Indianapolis, it's important to consider the earnings potential compared to full-time roles. A counselor working 24 hours a week at the projected hourly rate would take home approximately $36,000 annually, offering a feasible income for those balancing other commitments. Per-diem counselors or private college advisors can command much higher rates, sometimes charging between $150 and $400 per hour in high-cost markets. The variability in hourly compensation is also influenced by the type of employer—K-12 public schools often follow a structured pay scale, whereas charter and private institutions may offer different benefits packages. While accepting lower hourly pay might come with health insurance advantages, many counselors will find that higher-paying positions might lack substantial benefits. Negotiating hourly rates effectively in Indianapolis entails understanding these workplace dynamics and leveraging the ongoing demand for counselors, especially as schools respond to the growing mental health needs post-COVID.
More salary data for Indianapolis, 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 Indianapolis. 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