School Counselor Hourly Pay in Des Moines, IA: $27.69 (2026)
Quick Answer:Hourly pay for a school counselor working in Des Moines, IA runs $27.69 at the median for 2026 — annualizing to $57,585 at a standard 2,080-hour year. Figures projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 21-1012). Weighted against Des Moines's regional price level (BEA RPP 91.7, 8% below national), each hour of work buys what $30.19 nationally would. A 24-hour part-time schedule grosses $34,552 per year.
Official BLS data · View source
In Des Moines, Iowa, school counselors earn a median hourly rate of $27.69, which is significantly lower than the national median of $30.93. This discrepancy can be essential for part-time counselors, who may work a 3-day week, as this rate influences their overall earnings. District-employed counselors typically work in settings such as elementary classrooms, middle school small-group sessions, and high school individual counseling offices. For those considering flexible, per-diem opportunities, it’s crucial to note that the hourly earnings can vary significantly, with experienced professionals earning between $23.13 to $37.95 depending on their qualifications and roles. Official Bureau of Labor Statistics data highlights the diverse earning potential across varying positions within the educational framework.
School Counselor Hourly Wage Breakdown
| Percentile | Hourly Rate | Per 8hr Shift |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $23.13 | $185.08 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $24.07 | $192.59 |
| Median (P50) | $27.69 | $221.49 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $35.89 | $287.13 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $37.95 | $303.62 |
Estimated Annual Income by Work Schedule in Des Moines
Based on $27.69/hr median hourly rate · 2026 est.
At $27.69/hr, a school counselor working full-time (40 hr/wk) in Des Moines, IA can expect to earn approximately $57,587 per year (2026 est.). Part-time hygienists working 24 hours per week would earn around $33,223. With a cost-of-living index of 91.70 (below the national average), these earnings stretch further in Des Moines.
Hourly Rate Calculator
Schedule Comparison in Des Moines
| Schedule | Weekly | Monthly | Annual |
|---|---|---|---|
| Full-Time (40 hrs) | $1,107.45 | $4,799 | $57,587 |
| Part-Time (24 hrs) | $664.47 | $2,879 | $34,552 |
| Per Diem (16 hrs) | $442.98 | $1,920 | $23,035 |
Compare SC, LSC Wages With Similar Roles
| Role | Median Hourly |
|---|---|
| School Counselor (Des Moines) | $27.69 |
| 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 Des Moines, IA earn a median of $57,585 per year (2026 est.), which is 10.49% lower than the national median of $64,335 and 1.30% above the Iowa state average of $56,846.
School Counselor Hourly Pay vs. Cost of Living
Working 24h/week at $27.69/hr = $34,552/year (purchasing power: $37,679).
Working 40h/week (full-time) = $57,587/year (purchasing power: $62,799).
CoL index: 91.701 (100 = national average). Your dollars stretch further here.
2019 BLS Actual
$29.72/hr
2025 BLS Actual
$27.13/hr
2026 Current Est.
$27.69/hr
2019–2027 Growth
+-4.9%
Hourly Rate Trajectory for School Counselors in Des Moines (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 2.05% projection.
| Year | Hourly Rate | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $29.72/hr | Actual |
| 2020 | $30.28/hr | Actual |
| 2021 | $29.56/hr | Actual |
| 2022 | $29.87/hr | Actual |
| 2023 | $30.78/hr | Actual |
| 2024 | $28.85/hr | Actual |
| 2025 | $27.13/hr | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $27.69/hr | Estimated |
| 2027 | $28.25/hr | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, the median hourly rate for school counselors in Des Moines grew -8.7% from $29.72/hr (2019) to $27.13/hr (2025). At a 2.05% projected growth rate, hourly pay is expected to reach $28.25/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 Des Moines 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 Des Moines
Understanding the earning capability for part-time school counselors is crucial for budgeting and financial planning. Working three days a week at 24 hours annually translates to approximately $33,000 per year, considerably less than their full-time counterparts making around $57,585. Meanwhile, the per-diem school counselor pay in Des Moines often demonstrates substantial variances, particularly in specialized roles for private college counseling, where the hourly charge can range from $150 to $400 in high-cost living areas. Furthermore, counselors may opt for more stable roles within public school settings, earning less per hour but benefiting from health insurance and retirement plans—elements that attract many professionals despite potential compensation trade-offs. Keeping abreast of local job markets enables applicants to negotiate better, as understanding various employment types such as K-12 public schools, private institutions, and potential summer counseling roles can pave the way for informed decisions in this competitive field.
More salary data for Des Moines, 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 Des Moines. 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