School Counselor Hourly Pay in Muncie, IN: $22.94 (2026)
Quick Answer:Hourly pay for a school counselor working in Muncie, IN runs $22.94 at the median for 2026 — annualizing to $47,704 at a standard 2,080-hour year. Figures projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 21-1012). Weighted against Muncie's regional price level (BEA RPP 88.1, 12% below national), each hour of work buys what $26.03 nationally would. A 24-hour part-time schedule grosses $28,630 per year.
Official BLS data · View source
In Muncie, Indiana, school counselors can expect to earn a median hourly rate of $22.94 in 2026, which is significantly below the national median of $30.93. This hourly rate reflects the various employment settings where school counselors operate, including primary schools, middle schools, and high school counseling offices, where many work part-time or as per-diem professionals. For those committed to part-time roles, such as working three days a week, earning potential can range widely; entry-level positions may yield about $20.77 per hour, while experienced counselors can make up to $29.16 per hour. These figures, derived from 2026 estimates based on 2025 BLS OEWS data, indicate that while Muncie offers a localized advantage in terms of living costs—given the area’s cost of living index of 88.148—it may still lag in total hourly earnings compared to other regions in the country.
School Counselor Hourly Wage Breakdown
| Percentile | Hourly Rate | Per 8hr Shift |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $20.77 | $166.14 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $22.90 | $183.20 |
| Median (P50) | $22.94 | $183.53 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $27.02 | $216.18 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $29.16 | $233.25 |
Estimated Annual Income by Work Schedule in Muncie
Based on $22.94/hr median hourly rate · 2026 est.
At $22.94/hr, a school counselor working full-time (40 hr/wk) in Muncie, IN can expect to earn approximately $47,717 per year (2026 est.). Part-time hygienists working 24 hours per week would earn around $27,529. With a cost-of-living index of 88.15 (below the national average), these earnings stretch further in Muncie.
Hourly Rate Calculator
Schedule Comparison in Muncie
| Schedule | Weekly | Monthly | Annual |
|---|---|---|---|
| Full-Time (40 hrs) | $917.63 | $3,976 | $47,717 |
| Part-Time (24 hrs) | $550.58 | $2,386 | $28,630 |
| Per Diem (16 hrs) | $367.05 | $1,591 | $19,087 |
Compare SC, LSC Wages With Similar Roles
| Role | Median Hourly |
|---|---|
| School Counselor (Muncie) | $22.94 |
| 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 Muncie, IN earn a median of $47,704 per year (2026 est.), which is 25.85% lower than the national median of $64,335 and 18.20% below the Indiana state average of $58,318.
School Counselor Hourly Pay vs. Cost of Living
Working 24h/week at $22.94/hr = $28,630/year (purchasing power: $32,480).
Working 40h/week (full-time) = $47,717/year (purchasing power: $54,133).
CoL index: 88.148 (100 = national average). Your dollars stretch further here.
2019 BLS Actual
$22.74/hr
2025 BLS Actual
$22.48/hr
2026 Current Est.
$22.94/hr
2019–2027 Growth
+3.0%
Hourly Rate Trajectory for School Counselors in Muncie (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 2.05% projection.
| Year | Hourly Rate | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $22.74/hr | Actual |
| 2020 | $23.68/hr | Actual |
| 2021 | $23.33/hr | Actual |
| 2022 | $21.87/hr | Actual |
| 2023 | $23.47/hr | Actual |
| 2024 | $25.29/hr | Actual |
| 2025 | $22.48/hr | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $22.94/hr | Estimated |
| 2027 | $23.41/hr | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, the median hourly rate for school counselors in Muncie grew -1.1% from $22.74/hr (2019) to $22.48/hr (2025). At a 2.05% projected growth rate, hourly pay is expected to reach $23.41/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 Muncie 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 Muncie
Looking into the financial landscape for school counselors in Muncie reveals considerations that significantly affect hourly earnings. A part-time school counselor working 24 hours per week might net around $28,334 annually, whereas full-time roles could yield approximately $47,704. The disparity highlights why many school counselors, particularly those in high-demand roles, may turn to per-diem work or private consulting, especially in areas with higher costs of living where rates can soar between $150 and $400 per hour for specialized college admissions counseling. The varied hourly rates across different employer types—from K-12 public schools to parochial institutions—also impact earning possibilities. In Muncie, while some counselors may accept a lower hourly pay for the security of health benefits, others may pursue higher hourly wages that lack a benefits package. Negotiating for improved pay often involves understanding these nuances and demonstrating your value in the context of post-COVID funding expansions for mental health resources.
More salary data for Muncie, 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 Muncie. 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