School Counselor Hourly Pay in North Liberty, IA: $25.78 (2026)
Quick Answer:Hourly pay for a school counselor working in North Liberty, IA runs $25.78 at the median for 2026 — annualizing to $53,617 at a standard 2,080-hour year. Figures projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 21-1012). Weighted against North Liberty's regional price level (BEA RPP 90.4, 10% below national), each hour of work buys what $28.52 nationally would. A 24-hour part-time schedule grosses $32,171 per year.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
In 2026, the projected hourly median pay for school counselors in North Liberty, Iowa, is estimated to be $25.78, significantly lower than the national median of $30.93. This discrepancy reflects the regional cost of living, which is below the national average. For part-time school counselors working approximately three days a week, this hourly rate translates to varying monthly and annual outcomes based on their specific schedules. In typical educational settings, such as elementary classrooms, middle school small groups, or high school counseling offices, they may earn between $18.34 and $39.95 per hour depending on experience and role. The hourly rate serves as a crucial metric for school counselors, as it establishes the foundational pay structure within which both entry-level professionals and seasoned counselors negotiating for top-tier salaries must operate.
About the North Liberty 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) | $18.34 | $146.71 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $21.96 | $175.69 |
| Median (P50) | $25.78 | $206.22 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $32.80 | $262.39 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $39.95 | $319.62 |
Estimated Annual Income by Work Schedule in North Liberty
Based on $25.78/hr median hourly rate · 2026 est.
At $25.78/hr, a school counselor working full-time (40 hr/wk) in North Liberty, IA can expect to earn approximately $53,618 per year (2026 est.). Part-time hygienists working 24 hours per week would earn around $30,933. With a cost-of-living index of 90.40 (below the national average), these earnings stretch further in North Liberty.
Hourly Rate Calculator
Schedule Comparison in North Liberty
| Schedule | Weekly | Monthly | Annual |
|---|---|---|---|
| Full-Time (40 hrs) | $1,031.11 | $4,468 | $53,618 |
| Part-Time (24 hrs) | $618.67 | $2,681 | $32,171 |
| Per Diem (16 hrs) | $412.45 | $1,787 | $21,447 |
Compare SC, LSC Wages With Similar Roles
| Role | Median Hourly |
|---|---|
| School Counselor (North Liberty) | $25.78 |
| 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 North Liberty, IA earn a median of $53,617 per year (2026 est.), which is 16.66% lower than the national median of $64,335 and 5.70% below the Iowa state average of $56,858.
School Counselor Hourly Pay vs. Cost of Living
Working 24h/week at $25.78/hr = $32,171/year (purchasing power: $35,587).
Working 40h/week (full-time) = $53,618/year (purchasing power: $59,312).
CoL index: 90.4 (100 = national average). Your dollars stretch further here.
2019 BLS Actual
$22.40/hr
2025 BLS Actual
$25.26/hr
2026 Current Est.
$25.78/hr
2019–2027 Growth
+17.5%
Hourly Rate Trajectory for School Counselors in North Liberty (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 2.05% projection.
| Year | Hourly Rate | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $22.40/hr | Actual |
| 2020 | $22.82/hr | Actual |
| 2021 | $23.76/hr | Actual |
| 2022 | $23.61/hr | Actual |
| 2023 | $24.23/hr | Actual |
| 2024 | $25.41/hr | Actual |
| 2025 | $25.26/hr | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $25.78/hr | Estimated |
| 2027 | $26.31/hr | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, the median hourly rate for school counselors in North Liberty grew 12.8% from $22.40/hr (2019) to $25.26/hr (2025). At a 2.05% projected growth rate, hourly pay is expected to reach $26.31/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 North Liberty 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 North Liberty
The part-time earning potential for a school counselor working 24 hours a week would yield an annual income of approximately $31,132, which is significantly less than full-time roles that can reach upper salary ranges. Those pursuing per diem or temporary positions may find attractive private opportunities, with some college counselors charging between $150 and $400 per hour for specialized consulting services. School counselors in North Liberty can expect differing hourly rates depending on whether they work in public K-12 districts, charter schools, or private institutions, with some roles offering health insurance in exchange for slightly lower pay. This balance often requires counselors to consider the overall compensation package when negotiating their hourly rates. Additionally, counselors should be prepared to articulate their value to employers, particularly in a post-COVID environment where mental health support is increasingly prioritized and funding for such positions is expanding.
More salary data for North Liberty, 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 North Liberty. 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 North Liberty 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