School Counselor Hourly Pay in Council Bluffs, IA: $26.40 (2026)
Quick Answer:Hourly pay for a school counselor working in Council Bluffs, IA runs $26.40 at the median for 2026 — annualizing to $54,906 at a standard 2,080-hour year. Figures projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 21-1012). Weighted against Council Bluffs's regional price level (BEA RPP 90.4, 10% below national), each hour of work buys what $29.20 nationally would. A 24-hour part-time schedule grosses $32,948 per year.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
In Council Bluffs, Iowa, professionals in the school counseling field can expect an hourly median pay of $26.40. When compared to the national hourly median of $30.93, this suggests that counselors in this region earn approximately 14.66% less than the national average. For those working part-time, such as three days a week, this hourly rate translates to a substantial income primarily drawn from settings like elementary classroom guidance lessons, middle school small group counseling, and high school individual counseling offices. Entry-level counselors earn at the lower end of the hourly range, starting from $18.48, while those with extensive experience and specialized roles can command rates upwards of $40.91, highlighting diverse earning potential depending on experience and responsibilities.
About the Council Bluffs 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) | $18.48 | $147.85 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $20.93 | $167.44 |
| Median (P50) | $26.40 | $211.20 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $33.79 | $270.31 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $40.91 | $327.29 |
Estimated Annual Income by Work Schedule in Council Bluffs
Based on $26.40/hr median hourly rate · 2026 est.
At $26.40/hr, a school counselor working full-time (40 hr/wk) in Council Bluffs, IA can expect to earn approximately $54,913 per year (2026 est.). Part-time hygienists working 24 hours per week would earn around $31,680. With a cost-of-living index of 90.40 (below the national average), these earnings stretch further in Council Bluffs.
Hourly Rate Calculator
Schedule Comparison in Council Bluffs
| Schedule | Weekly | Monthly | Annual |
|---|---|---|---|
| Full-Time (40 hrs) | $1,056.01 | $4,576 | $54,913 |
| Part-Time (24 hrs) | $633.61 | $2,746 | $32,948 |
| Per Diem (16 hrs) | $422.41 | $1,830 | $21,965 |
Compare SC, LSC Wages With Similar Roles
| Role | Median Hourly |
|---|---|
| School Counselor (Council Bluffs) | $26.40 |
| 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 Council Bluffs, IA earn a median of $54,906 per year (2026 est.), which is 14.66% lower than the national median of $64,335 and 3.40% below the Iowa state average of $56,838.
School Counselor Hourly Pay vs. Cost of Living
Working 24h/week at $26.40/hr = $32,948/year (purchasing power: $36,446).
Working 40h/week (full-time) = $54,913/year (purchasing power: $60,744).
CoL index: 90.4 (100 = national average). Your dollars stretch further here.
2019 BLS Actual
$22.94/hr
2025 BLS Actual
$25.87/hr
2026 Current Est.
$26.40/hr
2019–2027 Growth
+17.5%
Hourly Rate Trajectory for School Counselors in Council Bluffs (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 2.05% projection.
| Year | Hourly Rate | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $22.94/hr | Actual |
| 2020 | $23.37/hr | Actual |
| 2021 | $24.33/hr | Actual |
| 2022 | $24.19/hr | Actual |
| 2023 | $24.82/hr | Actual |
| 2024 | $26.02/hr | Actual |
| 2025 | $25.87/hr | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $26.40/hr | Estimated |
| 2027 | $26.94/hr | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, the median hourly rate for school counselors in Council Bluffs grew 12.8% from $22.94/hr (2019) to $25.87/hr (2025). At a 2.05% projected growth rate, hourly pay is expected to reach $26.94/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 Council Bluffs 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 Council Bluffs
Evaluating the earning potential of a school counselor working three days a week reveals a different financial picture compared to full-time counterparts. Working an average of 24 hours weekly, the annual take-home pay for a part-time counselor is considerably less than that of a full-time position. The per diem landscape also varies greatly, with private college counselors in higher-cost markets charging between $150 to $400 per hour for specialized consulting. In Council Bluffs, the type of employer significantly affects hourly pay; K-12 public schools typically follow a structured pay system, while charter schools or private institutions may offer more flexibility in negotiation. Those accepting lower hourly rates might benefit from health insurance, which is often a trade-off for job stability and benefits. For those looking to negotiate, emphasizing qualifications and understanding the local market's unique needs can be valuable strategies to secure favorable compensation.
More salary data for Council Bluffs, 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 Council Bluffs. 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 Council Bluffs 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