School Counselor Hourly Pay in Salina, KS: $26.67 (2026)
Quick Answer:Hourly pay for a school counselor working in Salina, KS runs $26.67 at the median for 2026 — annualizing to $55,456 at a standard 2,080-hour year. Figures projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 21-1012). Weighted against Salina's regional price level (BEA RPP 90.9, 9% below national), each hour of work buys what $29.34 nationally would. A 24-hour part-time schedule grosses $33,279 per year.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
In Salina, KS, school counselor hourly pay for 2026 is set at a median rate of $26.67. This figure is notably lower than the national median of $30.93, reflecting regional economic conditions. For school counselors working part-time, such as three days a week, this hourly rate signifies a still respectable income, particularly when working in diverse environments such as elementary school guidance lessons or high school individual counseling offices. The hourly pay range for school counselors in Salina stretches from $20.33 at the entry level to $41.04 for those at the 90th percentile, accommodating a variety of experience levels and roles in the educational system. It's essential to consider that these hourly rates are derived from annual salary data, but the implications for budgeting and lifestyle are tangible for professionals in the field.
About the Salina 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) | $20.33 | $162.63 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $22.18 | $177.40 |
| Median (P50) | $26.67 | $213.33 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $33.29 | $266.31 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $41.04 | $328.36 |
Estimated Annual Income by Work Schedule in Salina
Based on $26.67/hr median hourly rate · 2026 est.
At $26.67/hr, a school counselor working full-time (40 hr/wk) in Salina, KS can expect to earn approximately $55,465 per year (2026 est.). Part-time hygienists working 24 hours per week would earn around $31,999. With a cost-of-living index of 90.90 (below the national average), these earnings stretch further in Salina.
Hourly Rate Calculator
Schedule Comparison in Salina
| Schedule | Weekly | Monthly | Annual |
|---|---|---|---|
| Full-Time (40 hrs) | $1,066.63 | $4,622 | $55,465 |
| Part-Time (24 hrs) | $639.98 | $2,773 | $33,279 |
| Per Diem (16 hrs) | $426.65 | $1,849 | $22,186 |
Compare SC, LSC Wages With Similar Roles
| Role | Median Hourly |
|---|---|
| School Counselor (Salina) | $26.67 |
| 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 Salina, KS earn a median of $55,456 per year (2026 est.), which is 13.80% lower than the national median of $64,335 and 3.20% below the Kansas state average of $57,289.
School Counselor Hourly Pay vs. Cost of Living
Working 24h/week at $26.67/hr = $33,279/year (purchasing power: $36,610).
Working 40h/week (full-time) = $55,465/year (purchasing power: $61,017).
CoL index: 90.9 (100 = national average). Your dollars stretch further here.
2019 BLS Actual
$23.17/hr
2025 BLS Actual
$26.13/hr
2026 Current Est.
$26.67/hr
2019–2027 Growth
+17.5%
Hourly Rate Trajectory for School Counselors in Salina (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 2.05% projection.
| Year | Hourly Rate | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $23.17/hr | Actual |
| 2020 | $23.61/hr | Actual |
| 2021 | $24.58/hr | Actual |
| 2022 | $24.43/hr | Actual |
| 2023 | $25.07/hr | Actual |
| 2024 | $25.37/hr | Actual |
| 2025 | $26.13/hr | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $26.67/hr | Estimated |
| 2027 | $27.21/hr | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, the median hourly rate for school counselors in Salina grew 12.8% from $23.17/hr (2019) to $26.13/hr (2025). At a 2.05% projected growth rate, hourly pay is expected to reach $27.21/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 Salina 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 Salina
Focusing on part-time earning potential, a counselor working just three days a week might expect to earn around $33,600 annually based on the hourly rate, which is significantly less than a full-time role. In the realm of per-diem opportunities, it’s worth noting that private college counselors in higher-cost living areas can charge rates that fluctuate between $150 and $400 per hour for specialized services, further illustrating the diversity in pay structures across different educational settings. In Salina, the types of employers significantly influence hourly compensation, with K-12 public school districts generally offering more structured pay scales compared to charter or private schools. Some counselors might opt for lower hourly wages in exchange for stable health insurance benefits, making the decision quite complex. Negotiating tips include emphasizing relevant experience and specialized training such as CACREP accreditation and awareness of mental health funding opportunities post-COVID, which are increasingly valued in today's educational climate.
More salary data for Salina, 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 Salina. 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 Salina 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