School Counselor Hourly Pay in Olathe, KS: $27.65 (2026)
Quick Answer:Hourly pay for a school counselor working in Olathe, KS runs $27.65 at the median for 2026 — annualizing to $57,507 at a standard 2,080-hour year. Figures projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 21-1012). Weighted against Olathe's regional price level (BEA RPP 90.9, 9% below national), each hour of work buys what $30.41 nationally would. A 24-hour part-time schedule grosses $34,501 per year.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
In Olathe, Kansas, the projected school counselor hourly pay for 2026 is set at $27.65, which falls short of the national median of $30.93 per hour. This rate can significantly impact those working part-time, such as counselors committed to a 3-day work week, where they could expect to earn a gross income around $21,000 annually, assuming a schedule of 24 hours per week. For per-diem positions, typical in various educational settings like elementary classrooms or high school counseling offices, counselors in Olathe may charge agency rates that reflect the demand for specialized services, although those opportunities are less frequent compared to full-time roles. The hourly pay range in the city varies widely, beginning at $19.87 for entry-level positions and reaching up to $42.85 for experienced professionals, a range that reflects the varying levels of responsibility and experience in the field.
About the Olathe 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) | $19.87 | $158.95 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $22.30 | $178.38 |
| Median (P50) | $27.65 | $221.16 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $35.26 | $282.07 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $42.85 | $342.81 |
Estimated Annual Income by Work Schedule in Olathe
Based on $27.65/hr median hourly rate · 2026 est.
At $27.65/hr, a school counselor working full-time (40 hr/wk) in Olathe, KS can expect to earn approximately $57,502 per year (2026 est.). Part-time hygienists working 24 hours per week would earn around $33,174. With a cost-of-living index of 90.90 (below the national average), these earnings stretch further in Olathe.
Hourly Rate Calculator
Schedule Comparison in Olathe
| Schedule | Weekly | Monthly | Annual |
|---|---|---|---|
| Full-Time (40 hrs) | $1,105.81 | $4,792 | $57,502 |
| Part-Time (24 hrs) | $663.49 | $2,875 | $34,501 |
| Per Diem (16 hrs) | $442.33 | $1,917 | $23,001 |
Compare SC, LSC Wages With Similar Roles
| Role | Median Hourly |
|---|---|
| School Counselor (Olathe) | $27.65 |
| 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 Olathe, KS earn a median of $57,507 per year (2026 est.), which is 10.61% lower than the national median of $64,335 and 0.30% above the Kansas state average of $57,335.
School Counselor Hourly Pay vs. Cost of Living
Working 24h/week at $27.65/hr = $34,501/year (purchasing power: $37,955).
Working 40h/week (full-time) = $57,502/year (purchasing power: $63,259).
CoL index: 90.9 (100 = national average). Your dollars stretch further here.
2019 BLS Actual
$24.02/hr
2025 BLS Actual
$27.09/hr
2026 Current Est.
$27.65/hr
2019–2027 Growth
+17.5%
Hourly Rate Trajectory for School Counselors in Olathe (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 2.05% projection.
| Year | Hourly Rate | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $24.02/hr | Actual |
| 2020 | $24.47/hr | Actual |
| 2021 | $25.48/hr | Actual |
| 2022 | $25.33/hr | Actual |
| 2023 | $25.99/hr | Actual |
| 2024 | $26.31/hr | Actual |
| 2025 | $27.09/hr | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $27.65/hr | Estimated |
| 2027 | $28.21/hr | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, the median hourly rate for school counselors in Olathe grew 12.8% from $24.02/hr (2019) to $27.09/hr (2025). At a 2.05% projected growth rate, hourly pay is expected to reach $28.21/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 Olathe 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 Olathe
Considering the different employment opportunities available in Olathe, part-time counselors earning $27.65 hourly could find their financial situation vastly different from full-time colleagues, especially with a full-time position expected to yield around $57,507 annually. In the realm of per-diem roles, private sector counselors can charge significantly higher, with rates between $150 and $400 per hour depending on specialization, especially in high-cost markets. Additionally, summer counseling jobs can provide an extra $5,000 to $15,000, forming a substantial boost to overall earnings. Variations in school counselor hourly rates are also evident across employer types, with K-12 public schools typically offering lower rates compared to charter schools or private institutions that may provide more competitive packages and benefits. For counselors looking to increase their pay, negotiating for benefits versus hourly wages merits consideration as many prefer the stability that comes with health insurance, particularly in today’s job market shaped by post-COVID mental health initiatives.
More salary data for Olathe, KS:
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 Olathe. 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 Olathe 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