School Counselor Hourly Pay in Johnston, IA: $25.37 (2026)
Quick Answer:Hourly pay for a school counselor working in Johnston, IA runs $25.37 at the median for 2026 — annualizing to $52,770 at a standard 2,080-hour year. Figures projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 21-1012). Weighted against Johnston's regional price level (BEA RPP 90.4, 10% below national), each hour of work buys what $28.06 nationally would. A 24-hour part-time schedule grosses $31,661 per year.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
In Johnston, IA, the school counselor hourly pay is projected to be $25.37 in 2026, significantly lower than the national median of $30.93. This discrepancy highlights the financial landscape for professionals in this field, particularly those considering part-time roles or per-diem positions. For instance, a school counselor working three days a week will find that their income is markedly less than a full-time colleague, which can impact their overall financial planning. Hourly rates in the area range from $19.52 for entry-level positions up to $39.32 for the top earners. Such figures illustrate how hourly pay scales vary, yet it's essential to understand that these estimates are derived from annual salary data.
About the Johnston 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) | $19.52 | $156.18 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $21.12 | $168.99 |
| Median (P50) | $25.37 | $202.96 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $32.39 | $259.13 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $39.32 | $314.56 |
Estimated Annual Income by Work Schedule in Johnston
Based on $25.37/hr median hourly rate · 2026 est.
At $25.37/hr, a school counselor working full-time (40 hr/wk) in Johnston, IA can expect to earn approximately $52,769 per year (2026 est.). Part-time hygienists working 24 hours per week would earn around $30,444. With a cost-of-living index of 90.40 (below the national average), these earnings stretch further in Johnston.
Hourly Rate Calculator
Schedule Comparison in Johnston
| Schedule | Weekly | Monthly | Annual |
|---|---|---|---|
| Full-Time (40 hrs) | $1,014.79 | $4,397 | $52,769 |
| Part-Time (24 hrs) | $608.87 | $2,638 | $31,661 |
| Per Diem (16 hrs) | $405.91 | $1,759 | $21,108 |
Compare SC, LSC Wages With Similar Roles
| Role | Median Hourly |
|---|---|
| School Counselor (Johnston) | $25.37 |
| 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 Johnston, IA earn a median of $52,770 per year (2026 est.), which is 17.98% lower than the national median of $64,335 and 7.20% below the Iowa state average of $56,864.
School Counselor Hourly Pay vs. Cost of Living
Working 24h/week at $25.37/hr = $31,661/year (purchasing power: $35,024).
Working 40h/week (full-time) = $52,769/year (purchasing power: $58,373).
CoL index: 90.4 (100 = national average). Your dollars stretch further here.
2019 BLS Actual
$22.04/hr
2025 BLS Actual
$24.86/hr
2026 Current Est.
$25.37/hr
2019–2027 Growth
+17.5%
Hourly Rate Trajectory for School Counselors in Johnston (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 2.05% projection.
| Year | Hourly Rate | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $22.04/hr | Actual |
| 2020 | $22.46/hr | Actual |
| 2021 | $23.38/hr | Actual |
| 2022 | $23.24/hr | Actual |
| 2023 | $23.85/hr | Actual |
| 2024 | $25.01/hr | Actual |
| 2025 | $24.86/hr | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $25.37/hr | Estimated |
| 2027 | $25.89/hr | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, the median hourly rate for school counselors in Johnston grew 12.8% from $22.04/hr (2019) to $24.86/hr (2025). At a 2.05% projected growth rate, hourly pay is expected to reach $25.89/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 Johnston 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 Johnston
When examining part-time counseling earnings in Johnston, working 24 hours a week translates to approximately $31,626 annually, which can be a significant difference from the full-time average salary of $52,770. The reality for per-diem school counselors is also worth noticing; while substitute coverage is rare in K-12 environments, the demand for private college counselors can push rates as high as $150-$400 per hour in high-cost-of-living markets. Among school settings, hourly rates can fluctuate depending on the employer type, such as public school districts versus charter schools or post-secondary institutions. Counselors must weigh the benefits of potentially lower hourly rates with health insurance and job security against higher pay in more flexible roles without benefits. Negotiation plays a key role, where understanding the local market dynamics in Johnston can be pivotal in securing a favorable rate, especially in light of expanding mental health funding post-COVID.
More salary data for Johnston, 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 Johnston. 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 Johnston 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