School Counselor Hourly Pay in Derby, KS: $27.17 (2026)
Quick Answer:Hourly pay for a school counselor working in Derby, KS runs $27.17 at the median for 2026 — annualizing to $56,514 at a standard 2,080-hour year. Figures projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 21-1012). Weighted against Derby's regional price level (BEA RPP 90.9, 9% below national), each hour of work buys what $29.89 nationally would. A 24-hour part-time schedule grosses $33,903 per year.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
Among the many professions in Derby, Kansas, school counselors can expect to earn a median hourly rate of $27.17 in 2026, a figure that falls below the national median of $30.93. This hourly rate provides a foundation for understanding the financial avenues available to those in the profession, particularly for part-time workers who may be employed three days a week. In typical settings such as elementary classroom guidance lessons, middle school small group counseling, high school individual counseling offices, and college counseling resource rooms, counselors can find themselves working flexible hours that align with school schedules. Entry-level positions may start around $19.33 per hour, while experienced professionals can earn up to $42.12. These figures are estimated from annual salary data and reflect the variation in roles and responsibilities that school counselors undertake in their day-to-day activities.
About the Derby Market
Salary estimated from Kansas average ($60,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
School Counselor Hourly Wage Breakdown
| Percentile | Hourly Rate | Per 8hr Shift |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $19.33 | $154.63 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $21.57 | $172.59 |
| Median (P50) | $27.17 | $217.33 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $34.53 | $276.27 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $42.12 | $336.93 |
Estimated Annual Income by Work Schedule in Derby
Based on $27.17/hr median hourly rate · 2026 est.
At $27.17/hr, a school counselor working full-time (40 hr/wk) in Derby, KS can expect to earn approximately $56,505 per year (2026 est.). Part-time hygienists working 24 hours per week would earn around $32,599. With a cost-of-living index of 90.90 (below the national average), these earnings stretch further in Derby.
Hourly Rate Calculator
Schedule Comparison in Derby
| Schedule | Weekly | Monthly | Annual |
|---|---|---|---|
| Full-Time (40 hrs) | $1,086.63 | $4,709 | $56,505 |
| Part-Time (24 hrs) | $651.98 | $2,825 | $33,903 |
| Per Diem (16 hrs) | $434.65 | $1,883 | $22,602 |
Compare SC, LSC Wages With Similar Roles
| Role | Median Hourly |
|---|---|
| School Counselor (Derby) | $27.17 |
| 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 Derby, KS earn a median of $56,514 per year (2026 est.), which is 12.16% lower than the national median of $64,335 and 1.40% below the Kansas state average of $57,317.
School Counselor Hourly Pay vs. Cost of Living
Working 24h/week at $27.17/hr = $33,903/year (purchasing power: $37,297).
Working 40h/week (full-time) = $56,505/year (purchasing power: $62,161).
CoL index: 90.9 (100 = national average). Your dollars stretch further here.
2019 BLS Actual
$23.60/hr
2025 BLS Actual
$26.62/hr
2026 Current Est.
$27.17/hr
2019–2027 Growth
+17.5%
Hourly Rate Trajectory for School Counselors in Derby (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 2.05% projection.
| Year | Hourly Rate | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $23.60/hr | Actual |
| 2020 | $24.05/hr | Actual |
| 2021 | $25.04/hr | Actual |
| 2022 | $24.89/hr | Actual |
| 2023 | $25.54/hr | Actual |
| 2024 | $25.86/hr | Actual |
| 2025 | $26.62/hr | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $27.17/hr | Estimated |
| 2027 | $27.72/hr | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, the median hourly rate for school counselors in Derby grew 12.8% from $23.60/hr (2019) to $26.62/hr (2025). At a 2.05% projected growth rate, hourly pay is expected to reach $27.72/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 Derby 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 Derby
Exploring the earning potential for a part-time school counselor in Derby reveals substantial differences when compared to full-time colleagues. Working a typical schedule of three days a week (approximately 24 hours), a part-time counselor's annual take-home might hover around $33,042, significantly less than their full-time counterparts. Those seeking per-diem opportunities face a contrasting scenario, as private college counselors in high-cost-of-living markets can charge between $150-$400 per hour for direct consulting services, which significantly boosts income. Within Derby's educational landscape, hourly rates vary by employer, with public school districts, charter schools, and private institutions offering different compensation based on funding and health benefit structures. Some counselors may choose lower hourly rates for the security of health insurance, while others may prioritize higher pay without benefits. Negotiating hourly pay can be critical; expressing clear value and leveraging local cost-of-living considerations may yield better results when approaching potential employers in this growing sector.
More salary data for Derby, KS:
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the hourly rate for school counselors in Derby in 2026?
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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 Derby. 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 Derby 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