School Counselor Hourly Pay in Bettendorf, IA: $26.11 (2026)
Quick Answer:Hourly pay for a school counselor working in Bettendorf, IA runs $26.11 at the median for 2026 — annualizing to $54,318 at a standard 2,080-hour year. Figures projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 21-1012). Weighted against Bettendorf's regional price level (BEA RPP 90.4, 10% below national), each hour of work buys what $28.89 nationally would. A 24-hour part-time schedule grosses $32,591 per year.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source

In Bettendorf, Iowa, school counselors can expect a median hourly pay of $26.11 in 2026, which stands below the national hourly median of $30.93. This pay structure is significant for those working part-time, such as counselors who might be engaged for three days a week in settings like elementary classroom guidance or high school individual counseling. With an hourly range extending from $19.37 for entry-level positions to $40.47 for top earners, this data highlights the entry pathways available for professionals entering the field. It's important to keep in mind that these rates are estimated from annual salary data, which reflects the growing need for counselors in an environment now heavily focused on mental health support, especially post-COVID.
About the Bettendorf Market
Salary estimated from Iowa average ($62,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
School Counselor Hourly Wage Breakdown
| Percentile | Hourly Rate | Per 8hr Shift |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $19.37 | $154.95 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $21.32 | $170.55 |
| Median (P50) | $26.11 | $208.92 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $33.43 | $267.45 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $40.47 | $323.78 |
Estimated Annual Income by Work Schedule in Bettendorf
Based on $26.11/hr median hourly rate · 2026 est.
At $26.11/hr, a school counselor working full-time (40 hr/wk) in Bettendorf, IA can expect to earn approximately $54,318 per year (2026 est.). Part-time hygienists working 24 hours per week would earn around $31,338. With a cost-of-living index of 90.40 (below the national average), these earnings stretch further in Bettendorf.
Hourly Rate Calculator
Schedule Comparison in Bettendorf
| Schedule | Weekly | Monthly | Annual |
|---|---|---|---|
| Full-Time (40 hrs) | $1,044.58 | $4,527 | $54,318 |
| Part-Time (24 hrs) | $626.75 | $2,716 | $32,591 |
| Per Diem (16 hrs) | $417.83 | $1,811 | $21,727 |
Compare SC, LSC Wages With Similar Roles
| Role | Median Hourly |
|---|---|
| School Counselor (Bettendorf) | $26.11 |
| 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 Bettendorf, IA earn a median of $54,318 per year (2026 est.), which is 15.57% lower than the national median of $64,335 and 4.50% below the Iowa state average of $56,878.
School Counselor Hourly Pay vs. Cost of Living
Working 24h/week at $26.11/hr = $32,591/year (purchasing power: $36,052).
Working 40h/week (full-time) = $54,318/year (purchasing power: $60,087).
CoL index: 90.4 (100 = national average). Your dollars stretch further here.
2019 BLS Actual
$22.69/hr
2025 BLS Actual
$25.59/hr
2026 Current Est.
$26.11/hr
2019–2027 Growth
+17.5%
Hourly Rate Trajectory for School Counselors in Bettendorf (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 2.05% projection.
| Year | Hourly Rate | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $22.69/hr | Actual |
| 2020 | $23.12/hr | Actual |
| 2021 | $24.07/hr | Actual |
| 2022 | $23.92/hr | Actual |
| 2023 | $24.55/hr | Actual |
| 2024 | $25.74/hr | Actual |
| 2025 | $25.59/hr | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $26.11/hr | Estimated |
| 2027 | $26.65/hr | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, the median hourly rate for school counselors in Bettendorf grew 12.8% from $22.69/hr (2019) to $25.59/hr (2025). At a 2.05% projected growth rate, hourly pay is expected to reach $26.65/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 Bettendorf 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 Bettendorf
For those considering part-time roles such as a 24-hour workweek, their annual earnings may fall short compared to full-time positions, making it crucial to understand the financial implications. Per diem work, which is often sought after by private college counselors, allows for rates between $150-$400 an hour in higher cost-of-living areas, accentuating the earning potential that exists outside traditional employment settings. In Bettendorf, hourly rates can also vary among different employer types, such as public K-12 schools, charter institutions, and post-secondary counseling roles. For school counselors, the decision to accept lower hourly pay often revolves around the benefits provided, such as health insurance, which is commonly absent in higher-paying, non-benefit roles. Counselors negotiating their pay should emphasize their unique qualifications, particularly in light of the increased demand for services aligned with ASCA and CACREP standards in today’s educational landscape.
More salary data for Bettendorf, IA:
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 Bettendorf. 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 Bettendorf 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