School Counselor Hourly Pay in Louisville/Jefferson County, KY: $35.05 (2026)
Quick Answer:Hourly pay for a school counselor working in Louisville/Jefferson County, KY runs $35.05 at the median for 2026 — annualizing to $72,917 at a standard 2,080-hour year. Figures projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 21-1012). Weighted against Louisville/Jefferson County's regional price level (BEA RPP 93.1, 7% below national), each hour of work buys what $37.66 nationally would. A 24-hour part-time schedule grosses $43,748 per year.
Official BLS data · View source
In Louisville/Jefferson County, KY, the school counselor hourly pay stands at a median of $35.05, placing it significantly higher than the national hourly median of $30.93. This competitive rate offers favorable opportunities for both part-time and per-diem workers who may engage in a variety of roles, including classroom guidance lessons in elementary schools, small group counseling in middle schools, or individual counseling sessions at the high school level. Entry-level counselors can expect to earn approximately $20.94 per hour, while top earners in this field can reach up to $55.91 per hour, according to estimates based on 2025 BLS data, projected to 2026. These figures reflect the official Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) data and highlight the financial viability of pursuing a career as a school counselor in the region.
School Counselor Hourly Wage Breakdown
| Percentile | Hourly Rate | Per 8hr Shift |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $20.94 | $167.53 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $25.06 | $200.51 |
| Median (P50) | $35.05 | $280.43 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $47.79 | $382.32 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $55.91 | $447.31 |
Estimated Annual Income by Work Schedule in Louisville/Jefferson County
Based on $35.05/hr median hourly rate · 2026 est.
At $35.05/hr, a school counselor working full-time (40 hr/wk) in Louisville/Jefferson County, KY can expect to earn approximately $72,913 per year (2026 est.). Part-time hygienists working 24 hours per week would earn around $42,065. With a cost-of-living index of 93.07 (below the national average), these earnings stretch further in Louisville/Jefferson County.
Hourly Rate Calculator
Schedule Comparison in Louisville/Jefferson County
| Schedule | Weekly | Monthly | Annual |
|---|---|---|---|
| Full-Time (40 hrs) | $1,402.17 | $6,076 | $72,913 |
| Part-Time (24 hrs) | $841.30 | $3,646 | $43,748 |
| Per Diem (16 hrs) | $560.87 | $2,430 | $29,165 |
Compare SC, LSC Wages With Similar Roles
| Role | Median Hourly |
|---|---|
| School Counselor (Louisville/Jefferson County) | $35.05 |
| 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 Louisville/Jefferson County, KY earn a median of $72,917 per year (2026 est.), which is 13.34% higher than the national median of $64,335 and 11.70% above the Kentucky state average of $65,279.
School Counselor Hourly Pay vs. Cost of Living
Working 24h/week at $35.05/hr = $43,748/year (purchasing power: $47,003).
Working 40h/week (full-time) = $72,913/year (purchasing power: $78,338).
CoL index: 93.074 (100 = national average). Your dollars stretch further here.
2019 BLS Actual
$30.60/hr
2025 BLS Actual
$34.35/hr
2026 Current Est.
$35.05/hr
2019–2027 Growth
+16.9%
Hourly Rate Trajectory for School Counselors in Louisville/Jefferson County (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 2.05% projection.
| Year | Hourly Rate | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $30.60/hr | Actual |
| 2020 | $27.43/hr | Actual |
| 2021 | $29.09/hr | Actual |
| 2022 | $29.31/hr | Actual |
| 2023 | $28.74/hr | Actual |
| 2024 | $33.89/hr | Actual |
| 2025 | $34.35/hr | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $35.05/hr | Estimated |
| 2027 | $35.77/hr | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, the median hourly rate for school counselors in Louisville/Jefferson County grew 12.3% from $30.60/hr (2019) to $34.35/hr (2025). At a 2.05% projected growth rate, hourly pay is expected to reach $35.77/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 Louisville/Jefferson County 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 Louisville/Jefferson County
Part-time school counselors working three days a week, which translates to about 24 hours, could earn significantly less annually compared to their full-time counterparts, making the hourly rate a crucial factor for financial management. Per-diem and agency counselors often command higher rates, with private college counselors charging anywhere from $150 to $400 per hour for specialized services. Extended school year programs can also offer an additional $5,000 to $15,000 to base salaries, enticing many to consider summer counseling roles. In Louisville/Jefferson County, pay structures vary across different types of employers, including K-12 public schools, charter schools, and private institutions, impacting overall earnings. Some counselors may opt for lower hourly rates in exchange for health benefits, while others might prioritize higher pay for freelance opportunities with no benefits. Counselors should strategically approach salary negotiations, highlighting the demand for mental health support in schools, especially following post-COVID funding expansions that have led to increased hiring.
More salary data for Louisville/Jefferson County, KY:
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the hourly rate for school counselors in Louisville/Jefferson County in 2026?
How much do part-time school counselors make in Louisville/Jefferson County?
Are school counselors in Louisville/Jefferson County paid hourly or salary?
How much does a full-time school counselor make per year in Louisville/Jefferson County?
Do school counselors earn more per hour working part-time in Louisville/Jefferson County?
Related Pages
Compare Salaries
Career Resources
Nearby Cities in Kentucky
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 Louisville/Jefferson County. Part-time and full-time income estimates assume consistent weekly hours and do not account for overtime, benefits, or seasonal variation.
Data Sources & Methodology
Source: BLS, OEWS, 7-year dataset (–). Per-city data from annual BLS metropolitan area surveys.
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