School Counselor Hourly Pay in Urbandale, IA: $26.11 (2026)
Quick Answer:Hourly pay for a school counselor working in Urbandale, IA runs $26.11 at the median for 2026 — annualizing to $54,322 at a standard 2,080-hour year. Figures projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 21-1012). Weighted against Urbandale's regional price level (BEA RPP 90.4, 10% below national), each hour of work buys what $28.89 nationally would. A 24-hour part-time schedule grosses $32,591 per year.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
In Urbandale, IA, school counselor hourly pay is projected to be $26.11 in 2026, which is notably below the national median of $30.93. This figure is crucial for professionals pursuing part-time work, as a school counselor working three days a week typically engages in various settings, such as leading elementary classroom guidance lessons or facilitating middle school small group counseling. For those in this profession, the hourly rate can range from $19.35 at entry-level positions to as much as $40.48 for seasoned counselors. These estimates reflect compensation derived from the annual salary data and illustrate how the hourly structure impacts both those working full-time and those looking for flexible arrangements in a variety of educational environments.
About the Urbandale 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) | $19.35 | $154.79 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $21.33 | $170.63 |
| Median (P50) | $26.11 | $208.92 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $33.22 | $265.74 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $40.48 | $323.87 |
Estimated Annual Income by Work Schedule in Urbandale
Based on $26.11/hr median hourly rate · 2026 est.
At $26.11/hr, a school counselor working full-time (40 hr/wk) in Urbandale, IA can expect to earn approximately $54,318 per year (2026 est.). Part-time hygienists working 24 hours per week would earn around $31,338. With a cost-of-living index of 90.40 (below the national average), these earnings stretch further in Urbandale.
Hourly Rate Calculator
Schedule Comparison in Urbandale
| Schedule | Weekly | Monthly | Annual |
|---|---|---|---|
| Full-Time (40 hrs) | $1,044.58 | $4,527 | $54,318 |
| Part-Time (24 hrs) | $626.75 | $2,716 | $32,591 |
| Per Diem (16 hrs) | $417.83 | $1,811 | $21,727 |
Compare SC, LSC Wages With Similar Roles
| Role | Median Hourly |
|---|---|
| School Counselor (Urbandale) | $26.11 |
| 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 Urbandale, IA earn a median of $54,322 per year (2026 est.), which is 15.56% lower than the national median of $64,335 and 4.50% below the Iowa state average of $56,882.
School Counselor Hourly Pay vs. Cost of Living
Working 24h/week at $26.11/hr = $32,591/year (purchasing power: $36,052).
Working 40h/week (full-time) = $54,318/year (purchasing power: $60,087).
CoL index: 90.4 (100 = national average). Your dollars stretch further here.
2019 BLS Actual
$22.69/hr
2025 BLS Actual
$25.59/hr
2026 Current Est.
$26.11/hr
2019–2027 Growth
+17.5%
Hourly Rate Trajectory for School Counselors in Urbandale (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 2.05% projection.
| Year | Hourly Rate | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $22.69/hr | Actual |
| 2020 | $23.12/hr | Actual |
| 2021 | $24.07/hr | Actual |
| 2022 | $23.92/hr | Actual |
| 2023 | $24.55/hr | Actual |
| 2024 | $25.75/hr | Actual |
| 2025 | $25.59/hr | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $26.11/hr | Estimated |
| 2027 | $26.65/hr | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, the median hourly rate for school counselors in Urbandale grew 12.8% from $22.69/hr (2019) to $25.59/hr (2025). At a 2.05% projected growth rate, hourly pay is expected to reach $26.65/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 Urbandale 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 Urbandale
Analyzing the financial dynamics of school counselors reveals significant earning potential for part-timers. A counselor working 24 hours a week could earn about $32,550 annually, a fraction of what a full-time counselor might make when accounting for benefits, which adds a layer of consideration. The journey of per diem school counselors can also be lucrative; while coverage for substitutes in Urbandale is rare, private college counselors may charge between $150 and $400 per hour, especially in high-cost-of-living regions. Various employers, including K-12 public districts, private schools, and post-secondary institutions, have differing pay scales, and the ultimate hourly rate often balances the allure of higher pay against benefits like health insurance. Counselors should be prepared to negotiate their terms, considering local demand, certificate credentials, and role expectations under the evolving landscape of funding in school mental health services.
More salary data for Urbandale, 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 Urbandale. 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 Urbandale 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