School Counselor Hourly Pay in South Bend, IN: $28.04 (2026)
Quick Answer:Hourly pay for a school counselor working in South Bend, IN runs $28.04 at the median for 2026 — annualizing to $58,326 at a standard 2,080-hour year. Figures projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 21-1012). Weighted against South Bend's regional price level (BEA RPP 92.9, 7% below national), each hour of work buys what $30.20 nationally would. A 24-hour part-time schedule grosses $34,998 per year.
Official BLS data · View source
For school counselors in South Bend, Indiana, the median hourly pay is projected to be $28.04 in 2026. This figure is slightly lower than the national median hourly rate of $30.93. For those working part-time, such as three days a week, the financial implications can be significant, as their weekly income will be structured around this hourly rate. School counselors engage in various roles, including classroom guidance lessons, small group counseling, and crisis management, often suited for flexible, per-diem work schedules. The hourly range for counselors in this area varies widely, from $19.14 for entry-level positions to a high of $37.77 for those at the top of the pay scale, illustrating the diverse earning potential within the field.
School Counselor Hourly Wage Breakdown
| Percentile | Hourly Rate | Per 8hr Shift |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $19.14 | $153.16 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $21.98 | $175.85 |
| Median (P50) | $28.04 | $224.35 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $31.20 | $249.57 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $37.77 | $302.15 |
Estimated Annual Income by Work Schedule in South Bend
Based on $28.04/hr median hourly rate · 2026 est.
At $28.04/hr, a school counselor working full-time (40 hr/wk) in South Bend, IN can expect to earn approximately $58,330 per year (2026 est.). Part-time hygienists working 24 hours per week would earn around $33,652. With a cost-of-living index of 92.86 (below the national average), these earnings stretch further in South Bend.
Hourly Rate Calculator
Schedule Comparison in South Bend
| Schedule | Weekly | Monthly | Annual |
|---|---|---|---|
| Full-Time (40 hrs) | $1,121.73 | $4,861 | $58,330 |
| Part-Time (24 hrs) | $673.04 | $2,917 | $34,998 |
| Per Diem (16 hrs) | $448.69 | $1,944 | $23,332 |
Compare SC, LSC Wages With Similar Roles
| Role | Median Hourly |
|---|---|
| School Counselor (South Bend) | $28.04 |
| 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 South Bend, IN earn a median of $58,326 per year (2026 est.), which is 9.34% lower than the national median of $64,335.
School Counselor Hourly Pay vs. Cost of Living
Working 24h/week at $28.04/hr = $34,998/year (purchasing power: $37,690).
Working 40h/week (full-time) = $58,330/year (purchasing power: $62,817).
CoL index: 92.858 (100 = national average). Your dollars stretch further here.
2019 BLS Actual
$24.08/hr
2025 BLS Actual
$27.48/hr
2026 Current Est.
$28.04/hr
2019–2027 Growth
+18.8%
Hourly Rate Trajectory for School Counselors in South Bend (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 2.05% projection.
| Year | Hourly Rate | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $24.08/hr | Actual |
| 2020 | $22.97/hr | Actual |
| 2021 | $23.77/hr | Actual |
| 2022 | $22.31/hr | Actual |
| 2023 | $23.91/hr | Actual |
| 2024 | $24.49/hr | Actual |
| 2025 | $27.48/hr | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $28.04/hr | Estimated |
| 2027 | $28.62/hr | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, the median hourly rate for school counselors in South Bend grew 14.1% from $24.08/hr (2019) to $27.48/hr (2025). At a 2.05% projected growth rate, hourly pay is expected to reach $28.62/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 South Bend 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 South Bend
When considering part-time earnings, a school counselor clocking 24 hours a week would take home approximately $38,995 annually, which is considerably less than full-time counterparts. For those pursuing per-diem roles, such as at private colleges, the pay can range dramatically, with fees for private college counselors reaching between $150 and $400 per hour in high-cost markets. Furthermore, counseling roles vary across employer types, from K-12 public schools to charter and private institutions, making it essential for counselors in South Bend to understand how these differences affect their pay structures. While many seek the stability that comes with a lower hourly rate entailing benefits, others may prefer the higher pay associated with contract-based work. Negotiation strategies for these positions should consider not only hourly rates but also related benefits, competitive salary scales, and the unique context of South Bend's school districts, particularly as post-COVID mental health funding continues to evolve.
More salary data for South Bend, 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 South Bend. 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