School Counselor Hourly Pay in Cottage Grove, MN: $30.66 (2026)
Quick Answer:Hourly pay for a school counselor working in Cottage Grove, MN runs $30.66 at the median for 2026 — annualizing to $63,763 at a standard 2,080-hour year. Figures projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 21-1012). Weighted against Cottage Grove's regional price level (BEA RPP 98.5, 1% below national), each hour of work buys what $31.12 nationally would. A 24-hour part-time schedule grosses $38,258 per year.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
In Cottage Grove, MN, the projected school counselor hourly pay stands at $30.66 for 2026, which is slightly below the national median hourly rate of $30.93. This figure reflects the earnings potential for school counselors across various educational settings, including elementary and middle schools, high school counseling offices, and even college resource rooms. Part-time school counselors working three days a week—approximately 24 hours—can expect to earn a stable income, but those engaging in per-diem roles may find opportunities that significantly vary; for instance, private college counselors in high-cost-of-living markets often charge between $150 and $400 per hour for specialized consulting services. In Cottage Grove, the hourly wage range spans from $21.85 for entry-level positions to $47.29 for top earners, illustrating the potential for growth and specialization within this profession.
About the Cottage Grove Market
Salary estimated from Minnesota average ($70,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
School Counselor Hourly Wage Breakdown
| Percentile | Hourly Rate | Per 8hr Shift |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $21.85 | $174.79 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $24.38 | $195.04 |
| Median (P50) | $30.66 | $245.25 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $38.33 | $306.64 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $47.29 | $378.32 |
Estimated Annual Income by Work Schedule in Cottage Grove
Based on $30.66/hr median hourly rate · 2026 est.
At $30.66/hr, a school counselor working full-time (40 hr/wk) in Cottage Grove, MN can expect to earn approximately $63,764 per year (2026 est.). Part-time hygienists working 24 hours per week would earn around $36,787. With a cost-of-living index of 98.50 (below the national average), these earnings stretch further in Cottage Grove.
Hourly Rate Calculator
Schedule Comparison in Cottage Grove
| Schedule | Weekly | Monthly | Annual |
|---|---|---|---|
| Full-Time (40 hrs) | $1,226.23 | $5,314 | $63,764 |
| Part-Time (24 hrs) | $735.74 | $3,188 | $38,258 |
| Per Diem (16 hrs) | $490.49 | $2,125 | $25,506 |
Compare SC, LSC Wages With Similar Roles
| Role | Median Hourly |
|---|---|
| School Counselor (Cottage Grove) | $30.66 |
| 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 Cottage Grove, MN earn a median of $63,763 per year (2026 est.), which is 0.89% lower than the national median of $64,335 and 1.30% below the Minnesota state average of $64,603.
School Counselor Hourly Pay vs. Cost of Living
Working 24h/week at $30.66/hr = $38,258/year (purchasing power: $38,841).
Working 40h/week (full-time) = $63,764/year (purchasing power: $64,735).
CoL index: 98.5 (100 = national average). Your dollars stretch further here.
2019 BLS Actual
$26.64/hr
2025 BLS Actual
$30.04/hr
2026 Current Est.
$30.66/hr
2019–2027 Growth
+17.5%
Hourly Rate Trajectory for School Counselors in Cottage Grove (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 2.05% projection.
| Year | Hourly Rate | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $26.64/hr | Actual |
| 2020 | $27.14/hr | Actual |
| 2021 | $28.26/hr | Actual |
| 2022 | $28.08/hr | Actual |
| 2023 | $28.82/hr | Actual |
| 2024 | $32.72/hr | Actual |
| 2025 | $30.04/hr | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $30.66/hr | Estimated |
| 2027 | $31.28/hr | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, the median hourly rate for school counselors in Cottage Grove grew 12.8% from $26.64/hr (2019) to $30.04/hr (2025). At a 2.05% projected growth rate, hourly pay is expected to reach $31.28/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 Cottage Grove 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 Cottage Grove
For school counselors opting for part-time work, actual earnings can diverge significantly from full-time roles. A part-time counselor working 24 hours weekly might earn less than $40,000 annually, depending on their agreements. Conversely, those who take on per diem work, particularly in private or charter schools, can complement their income with additional positions, particularly during summer months or crisis response initiatives. The dynamics of hour-based pay reflect the nature of school counselor roles that vary across employer types, from public K-12 districts to private institutions, influencing hourly compensation based on the institution's budget and student population needs. Furthermore, counselors must weigh benefits against hourly pay; some may prioritize lower hourly rates for the job security and comprehensive health insurance that full-time positions offer. Understanding the compensation structure and nuances in Cottage Grove provides valuable context for prospective counselors negotiating their pay in a profession characterized by varying demands and rewards.
More salary data for Cottage Grove, MN:
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 Cottage Grove. 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 Cottage Grove 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