School Counselor Hourly Pay in Marion, IA: $26.88 (2026)
Quick Answer:Hourly pay for a school counselor working in Marion, IA runs $26.88 at the median for 2026 — annualizing to $55,906 at a standard 2,080-hour year. Figures projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 21-1012). Weighted against Marion's regional price level (BEA RPP 90.4, 10% below national), each hour of work buys what $29.73 nationally would. A 24-hour part-time schedule grosses $33,546 per year.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
In Marion, IA, the projected school counselor hourly pay for 2026 stands at $26.88. This figure places local counselors below the national median hourly rate of $30.93, suggesting a unique economic landscape for counseling professionals in the area. For those working part-time, such as on a three-day-a-week schedule, this means a substantial amount could still be earned while balancing other commitments. Furthermore, the hourly rate reflects a broader range from $18.96 at the entry-level to $41.66 for the highest earners. Positions in various educational settings, including elementary classroom guidance lessons, middle school small group counseling, and high school individual counseling offices, adhere to this pay structure, making it crucial for school counselors in Marion to consider both their working hours and the total compensation available through their districts.
About the Marion 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) | $18.96 | $151.69 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $21.25 | $169.97 |
| Median (P50) | $26.88 | $215.04 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $34.08 | $272.68 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $41.66 | $333.25 |
Estimated Annual Income by Work Schedule in Marion
Based on $26.88/hr median hourly rate · 2026 est.
At $26.88/hr, a school counselor working full-time (40 hr/wk) in Marion, IA can expect to earn approximately $55,910 per year (2026 est.). Part-time hygienists working 24 hours per week would earn around $32,256. With a cost-of-living index of 90.40 (below the national average), these earnings stretch further in Marion.
Hourly Rate Calculator
Schedule Comparison in Marion
| Schedule | Weekly | Monthly | Annual |
|---|---|---|---|
| Full-Time (40 hrs) | $1,075.20 | $4,659 | $55,910 |
| Part-Time (24 hrs) | $645.12 | $2,796 | $33,546 |
| Per Diem (16 hrs) | $430.08 | $1,864 | $22,364 |
Compare SC, LSC Wages With Similar Roles
| Role | Median Hourly |
|---|---|
| School Counselor (Marion) | $26.88 |
| 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 Marion, IA earn a median of $55,906 per year (2026 est.), which is 13.10% lower than the national median of $64,335 and 1.70% below the Iowa state average of $56,873.
School Counselor Hourly Pay vs. Cost of Living
Working 24h/week at $26.88/hr = $33,546/year (purchasing power: $37,109).
Working 40h/week (full-time) = $55,910/year (purchasing power: $61,848).
CoL index: 90.4 (100 = national average). Your dollars stretch further here.
2019 BLS Actual
$23.36/hr
2025 BLS Actual
$26.34/hr
2026 Current Est.
$26.88/hr
2019–2027 Growth
+17.5%
Hourly Rate Trajectory for School Counselors in Marion (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 2.05% projection.
| Year | Hourly Rate | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $23.36/hr | Actual |
| 2020 | $23.80/hr | Actual |
| 2021 | $24.78/hr | Actual |
| 2022 | $24.62/hr | Actual |
| 2023 | $25.27/hr | Actual |
| 2024 | $26.50/hr | Actual |
| 2025 | $26.34/hr | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $26.88/hr | Estimated |
| 2027 | $27.43/hr | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, the median hourly rate for school counselors in Marion grew 12.8% from $23.36/hr (2019) to $26.34/hr (2025). At a 2.05% projected growth rate, hourly pay is expected to reach $27.43/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 Marion 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 Marion
Shifting focus to the part-time earning potential, a school counselor working 24 hours weekly might bring home a salary approximating $33,663 annually, which is considerably less than what a full-time counterpart generates. The per diem model, although not common for covering K-12 settings, presents lucrative opportunities; private college counselors in regions with high costs of living can charge between $150 and $400 per hour. Some school counselors also augment their income through extended school year programs, potentially adding $5,000 to $15,000 to their base pay. In Marion, the type of employer significantly impacts hourly rates; public school districts typically follow a structured pay scale like the one used for teachers, while charter and private schools may offer differing compensation. It's essential for professionals to weigh the benefits of health insurance against hourly pay; accepting a lower hourly rate in exchange for consistent benefits might appeal to many. Effective negotiation strategies are vital in this context, particularly for those seeking to increase their school counselor hourly rate in Marion.
More salary data for Marion, 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 Marion. 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 Marion 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