School Counselor Hourly Pay in Nicholasville, KY: $30.91 (2026)
Quick Answer:Hourly pay for a school counselor working in Nicholasville, KY runs $30.91 at the median for 2026 — annualizing to $64,288 at a standard 2,080-hour year. Figures projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 21-1012). Weighted against Nicholasville's regional price level (BEA RPP 89.3, 11% below national), each hour of work buys what $34.61 nationally would. A 24-hour part-time schedule grosses $38,577 per year.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
In 2026, school counselor hourly pay in Nicholasville, KY, is expected to average $30.91, closely aligning with the national hourly median of $30.93. This rate presents a significant opportunity for part-time counselors, who may work three days a week, totaling around 24 hours per week. For those in various educational environments—such as elementary guidance lessons, middle school counseling groups, high school one-on-one sessions, and college resource rooms—the pay reflects the importance of their support. The hourly pay ranges from $21.89 at the entry-level, ascending to $47.47 for top earners, illustrating a path for career advancement and specialization within the field, taken from estimates derived from annual salary projections. Counselors in Nicholasville can occupy a critical role in promoting students' mental well-being amidst a high school counselor-to-student ratio that often surpasses the recommended ASCA guidelines.
About the Nicholasville Market
Salary estimated from Kentucky average ($58,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
School Counselor Hourly Wage Breakdown
| Percentile | Hourly Rate | Per 8hr Shift |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $21.89 | $175.12 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $24.50 | $196.02 |
| Median (P50) | $30.91 | $247.29 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $38.60 | $308.76 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $47.47 | $379.79 |
Estimated Annual Income by Work Schedule in Nicholasville
Based on $30.91/hr median hourly rate · 2026 est.
At $30.91/hr, a school counselor working full-time (40 hr/wk) in Nicholasville, KY can expect to earn approximately $64,295 per year (2026 est.). Part-time hygienists working 24 hours per week would earn around $37,093. With a cost-of-living index of 89.30 (below the national average), these earnings stretch further in Nicholasville.
Hourly Rate Calculator
Schedule Comparison in Nicholasville
| Schedule | Weekly | Monthly | Annual |
|---|---|---|---|
| Full-Time (40 hrs) | $1,236.44 | $5,358 | $64,295 |
| Part-Time (24 hrs) | $741.86 | $3,215 | $38,577 |
| Per Diem (16 hrs) | $494.58 | $2,143 | $25,718 |
Compare SC, LSC Wages With Similar Roles
| Role | Median Hourly |
|---|---|
| School Counselor (Nicholasville) | $30.91 |
| 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 Nicholasville, KY earn a median of $64,288 per year (2026 est.), which is 0.07% lower than the national median of $64,335 and 1.50% below the Kentucky state average of $65,267.
School Counselor Hourly Pay vs. Cost of Living
Working 24h/week at $30.91/hr = $38,577/year (purchasing power: $43,199).
Working 40h/week (full-time) = $64,295/year (purchasing power: $71,999).
CoL index: 89.3 (100 = national average). Your dollars stretch further here.
2019 BLS Actual
$26.86/hr
2025 BLS Actual
$30.29/hr
2026 Current Est.
$30.91/hr
2019–2027 Growth
+17.5%
Hourly Rate Trajectory for School Counselors in Nicholasville (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 2.05% projection.
| Year | Hourly Rate | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $26.86/hr | Actual |
| 2020 | $27.37/hr | Actual |
| 2021 | $28.49/hr | Actual |
| 2022 | $28.32/hr | Actual |
| 2023 | $29.06/hr | Actual |
| 2024 | $24.52/hr | Actual |
| 2025 | $30.29/hr | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $30.91/hr | Estimated |
| 2027 | $31.54/hr | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, the median hourly rate for school counselors in Nicholasville grew 12.8% from $26.86/hr (2019) to $30.29/hr (2025). At a 2.05% projected growth rate, hourly pay is expected to reach $31.54/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 Nicholasville 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 Nicholasville
Financial considerations change drastically for school counselors who embrace part-time roles. With a part-time 3-day workweek, a counselor in Nicholasville can anticipate earned income that differs significantly from full-time counterparts. While private consulting options for per-diem school counselor pay in Nicholasville can reach between $150 to $400 per hour, public school settings often maintain pay structures tied to established step-and-lane systems similar to K-12 teaching roles. Some professionals opt for the steadiness of school district employment, which usually offers benefits such as health insurance; others choose higher per diem rates in agency or private settings while forgoing those advantages. Additionally, employment within charter, parochial, or Department of Defense Education Activity schools could yield varying hourly pay based on funding and job expectations. Negotiating contracts with clarity about the value of services provided is essential for counselors looking to maximize their hourly earnings in a fluctuating market.
More salary data for Nicholasville, KY:
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 Nicholasville. 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 Nicholasville 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