School Counselor Hourly Pay in Duluth, MN: $28.50 (2026)
Quick Answer:Hourly pay for a school counselor working in Duluth, MN runs $28.50 at the median for 2026 — annualizing to $59,285 at a standard 2,080-hour year. Figures projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 21-1012). Weighted against Duluth's regional price level (BEA RPP 88.8, 11% below national), each hour of work buys what $32.11 nationally would. A 24-hour part-time schedule grosses $35,571 per year.
Official BLS data · View source
In Duluth, MN, school counselors earn a median hourly rate of $28.50, slightly below the national median of $30.93. This compensation can significantly influence part-time employment opportunities. For those working three days a week, such as engaged in elementary classroom guidance or high school individual counseling, the hourly rate translates to a workable income that supports their lifestyle while allowing flexibility. The hourly pay can range from $21.76 at entry-level positions to about $40.67 for the most experienced professionals, providing a solid framework for career growth. These figures, derived from 2025 BLS OEWS data projected to 2026, reflect the local economic environment and the value placed on mental health support within educational settings.
School Counselor Hourly Wage Breakdown
| Percentile | Hourly Rate | Per 8hr Shift |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $21.76 | $174.06 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $23.27 | $186.14 |
| Median (P50) | $28.50 | $228.02 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $34.63 | $277.00 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $40.67 | $325.34 |
Estimated Annual Income by Work Schedule in Duluth
Based on $28.50/hr median hourly rate · 2026 est.
At $28.50/hr, a school counselor working full-time (40 hr/wk) in Duluth, MN can expect to earn approximately $59,285 per year (2026 est.). Part-time hygienists working 24 hours per week would earn around $34,203. With a cost-of-living index of 88.77 (below the national average), these earnings stretch further in Duluth.
Hourly Rate Calculator
Schedule Comparison in Duluth
| Schedule | Weekly | Monthly | Annual |
|---|---|---|---|
| Full-Time (40 hrs) | $1,140.10 | $4,940 | $59,285 |
| Part-Time (24 hrs) | $684.06 | $2,964 | $35,571 |
| Per Diem (16 hrs) | $456.04 | $1,976 | $23,714 |
Compare SC, LSC Wages With Similar Roles
| Role | Median Hourly |
|---|---|
| School Counselor (Duluth) | $28.50 |
| 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 Duluth, MN earn a median of $59,285 per year (2026 est.), which is 7.85% lower than the national median of $64,335 and 8.20% below the Minnesota state average of $64,581.
School Counselor Hourly Pay vs. Cost of Living
Working 24h/week at $28.50/hr = $35,571/year (purchasing power: $40,072).
Working 40h/week (full-time) = $59,285/year (purchasing power: $66,787).
CoL index: 88.768 (100 = national average). Your dollars stretch further here.
2019 BLS Actual
$26.87/hr
2025 BLS Actual
$27.93/hr
2026 Current Est.
$28.50/hr
2019–2027 Growth
+8.3%
Hourly Rate Trajectory for School Counselors in Duluth (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 2.05% projection.
| Year | Hourly Rate | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $26.87/hr | Actual |
| 2020 | $27.17/hr | Actual |
| 2021 | $28.87/hr | Actual |
| 2022 | $28.00/hr | Actual |
| 2023 | $27.52/hr | Actual |
| 2024 | $28.32/hr | Actual |
| 2025 | $27.93/hr | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $28.50/hr | Estimated |
| 2027 | $29.09/hr | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, the median hourly rate for school counselors in Duluth grew 3.9% from $26.87/hr (2019) to $27.93/hr (2025). At a 2.05% projected growth rate, hourly pay is expected to reach $29.09/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 Duluth 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 Duluth
Considering the part-time opportunities, a school counselor working 24 hours a week in Duluth could take home around $37,392 annually, which is notably lower than what a full-time counselor could earn. However, this positioning allows for various paths, such as per-diem work, where professionals might see rates that range from $150 to $400 per hour in higher cost of living markets like college admissions consulting. The dynamics also differ across employer types; K-12 public schools generally offer structured pay linked to the step-and-lane model, while private institutions or per diem positions can offer higher hourly incomes for those willing to forgo benefits. Many counselors must balance the lower pay with the stability and insurance benefits offered by full-time positions, navigating a complex decision-making process regarding job satisfaction and financial needs in Duluth's evolving educational landscape.
More salary data for Duluth, 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 Duluth. 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