School Counselor Hourly Pay in West Des Moines, IA: $27.33 (2026)
Quick Answer:Hourly pay for a school counselor working in West Des Moines, IA runs $27.33 at the median for 2026 — annualizing to $56,841 at a standard 2,080-hour year. Figures projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 21-1012). Weighted against West Des Moines's regional price level (BEA RPP 90.4, 10% below national), each hour of work buys what $30.23 nationally would. A 24-hour part-time schedule grosses $34,107 per year.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
In 2026, the school counselor hourly pay in West Des Moines, Iowa, is projected to be $27.33, which is significantly lower than the national hourly median of $30.93. This difference indicates that, while school counseling offers a stable career path, those considering part-time positions or per-diem work should be aware of the financial implications. For example, a part-time counselor working three days a week might find their income carefully balanced against the responsibilities they take on, navigating various educational environments including elementary schools, middle school counseling groups, and high school counseling offices. The hourly range for counselors in West Des Moines spans from $19.76 for entry-level positions to $42.36 for top earners, reflecting the variability in experience and local demand for these roles, particularly as schools adapt post-COVID with increased funding for mental health resources.
About the West Des Moines 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) | $19.76 | $158.06 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $21.45 | $171.61 |
| Median (P50) | $27.33 | $218.63 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $34.98 | $279.86 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $42.36 | $338.89 |
Estimated Annual Income by Work Schedule in West Des Moines
Based on $27.33/hr median hourly rate · 2026 est.
At $27.33/hr, a school counselor working full-time (40 hr/wk) in West Des Moines, IA can expect to earn approximately $56,844 per year (2026 est.). Part-time hygienists working 24 hours per week would earn around $32,795. With a cost-of-living index of 90.40 (below the national average), these earnings stretch further in West Des Moines.
Hourly Rate Calculator
Schedule Comparison in West Des Moines
| Schedule | Weekly | Monthly | Annual |
|---|---|---|---|
| Full-Time (40 hrs) | $1,093.16 | $4,737 | $56,844 |
| Part-Time (24 hrs) | $655.90 | $2,842 | $34,107 |
| Per Diem (16 hrs) | $437.26 | $1,895 | $22,738 |
Compare SC, LSC Wages With Similar Roles
| Role | Median Hourly |
|---|---|
| School Counselor (West Des Moines) | $27.33 |
| 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 West Des Moines, IA earn a median of $56,841 per year (2026 est.), which is 11.65% lower than the national median of $64,335.
School Counselor Hourly Pay vs. Cost of Living
Working 24h/week at $27.33/hr = $34,107/year (purchasing power: $37,729).
Working 40h/week (full-time) = $56,844/year (purchasing power: $62,881).
CoL index: 90.4 (100 = national average). Your dollars stretch further here.
2019 BLS Actual
$23.75/hr
2025 BLS Actual
$26.78/hr
2026 Current Est.
$27.33/hr
2019–2027 Growth
+17.5%
Hourly Rate Trajectory for School Counselors in West Des Moines (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 2.05% projection.
| Year | Hourly Rate | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $23.75/hr | Actual |
| 2020 | $24.19/hr | Actual |
| 2021 | $25.19/hr | Actual |
| 2022 | $25.04/hr | Actual |
| 2023 | $25.69/hr | Actual |
| 2024 | $26.33/hr | Actual |
| 2025 | $26.78/hr | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $27.33/hr | Estimated |
| 2027 | $27.89/hr | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, the median hourly rate for school counselors in West Des Moines grew 12.8% from $23.75/hr (2019) to $26.78/hr (2025). At a 2.05% projected growth rate, hourly pay is expected to reach $27.89/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 West 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 West Des Moines
Analyzing the compensation further reveals that a part-time counselor working 24 hours a week could see a noticeable difference in annual take-home compared to full-time peers. With the high demand for school counselors due to recommended ratios and expanded post-COVID mental health funding, many opt for full-time positions to secure benefits like health insurance, even if that means accepting a lower hourly rate. For those interested in per diem roles, especially in private college counseling, the potential for earnings rises significantly—some professionals report charging between $150 and $400 per hour in high-cost living markets. This highlights a nuanced landscape where K-12 public school district roles typically offer stable compensation structured under a step-and-lane system similar to teachers, while opportunities in private and specialized schools allow for varied pay. Negotiating hourly rates becomes essential for those entering this field, and knowing the regional market will empower counselors to make informed decisions about their career paths in West Des Moines, IA.
More salary data for West Des Moines, IA:
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the hourly rate for school counselors in West Des Moines in 2026?
How much do part-time school counselors make in West Des Moines?
Are school counselors in West Des Moines paid hourly or salary?
How much does a full-time school counselor make per year in West Des Moines?
Do school counselors earn more per hour working part-time in West Des Moines?
Related Pages
Compare Salaries
Career Resources
Nearby Cities in Iowa
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 West 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
Salary data for West Des Moines 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