School Counselor Hourly Pay in Hastings, MN: $29.59 (2026)
Quick Answer:Hourly pay for a school counselor working in Hastings, MN runs $29.59 at the median for 2026 — annualizing to $61,552 at a standard 2,080-hour year. Figures projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 21-1012). Weighted against Hastings's regional price level (BEA RPP 98.5, 1% below national), each hour of work buys what $30.05 nationally would. A 24-hour part-time schedule grosses $36,934 per year.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
In Hastings, Minnesota, the school counselor hourly pay stands at a median of $29.59, slightly below the national median of $30.93. This hourly rate provides a comfortable living for those working part-time, such as counselors who may spend three days a week in schools, allowing them to support various educational needs including elementary classroom guidance, middle school small group counseling, and high school individual counseling. The hourly range for school counselors in 2026 spans from $21.57 at the 10th percentile to $45.03 at the 90th percentile, reflecting the diverse experience and responsibilities within this role. Such variability opens the door for newly qualified school counselors and seasoned professionals alike, enabling them to engage in meaningful work while accommodating different lifestyle preferences.
About the Hastings 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) | $21.57 | $172.59 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $23.76 | $190.06 |
| Median (P50) | $29.59 | $236.76 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $36.92 | $295.37 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $45.03 | $360.28 |
Estimated Annual Income by Work Schedule in Hastings
Based on $29.59/hr median hourly rate · 2026 est.
At $29.59/hr, a school counselor working full-time (40 hr/wk) in Hastings, MN can expect to earn approximately $61,557 per year (2026 est.). Part-time hygienists working 24 hours per week would earn around $35,513. With a cost-of-living index of 98.50 (below the national average), these earnings stretch further in Hastings.
Hourly Rate Calculator
Schedule Comparison in Hastings
| Schedule | Weekly | Monthly | Annual |
|---|---|---|---|
| Full-Time (40 hrs) | $1,183.78 | $5,130 | $61,557 |
| Part-Time (24 hrs) | $710.27 | $3,078 | $36,934 |
| Per Diem (16 hrs) | $473.51 | $2,052 | $24,623 |
Compare SC, LSC Wages With Similar Roles
| Role | Median Hourly |
|---|---|
| School Counselor (Hastings) | $29.59 |
| 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 Hastings, MN earn a median of $61,552 per year (2026 est.), which is 4.33% lower than the national median of $64,335 and 4.70% below the Minnesota state average of $64,588.
School Counselor Hourly Pay vs. Cost of Living
Working 24h/week at $29.59/hr = $36,934/year (purchasing power: $37,496).
Working 40h/week (full-time) = $61,557/year (purchasing power: $62,494).
CoL index: 98.5 (100 = national average). Your dollars stretch further here.
2019 BLS Actual
$25.71/hr
2025 BLS Actual
$29.00/hr
2026 Current Est.
$29.59/hr
2019–2027 Growth
+17.5%
Hourly Rate Trajectory for School Counselors in Hastings (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 2.05% projection.
| Year | Hourly Rate | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $25.71/hr | Actual |
| 2020 | $26.20/hr | Actual |
| 2021 | $27.28/hr | Actual |
| 2022 | $27.11/hr | Actual |
| 2023 | $27.82/hr | Actual |
| 2024 | $31.58/hr | Actual |
| 2025 | $29.00/hr | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $29.59/hr | Estimated |
| 2027 | $30.20/hr | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, the median hourly rate for school counselors in Hastings grew 12.8% from $25.71/hr (2019) to $29.00/hr (2025). At a 2.05% projected growth rate, hourly pay is expected to reach $30.20/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 Hastings 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 Hastings
From an analytical perspective, part-time school counselors, working a typical schedule of 24 hours per week, could potentially earn about $36,600 annually. This contrasts sharply with full-time colleagues, whose earnings are substantially higher, reflecting the trade-offs individuals in this profession face. Per diem school counselors often see a broader range of compensation, with private college counselors in higher cost-of-living markets charging anywhere from $150 to $400 per hour for specialized services. In Hastings, there are also differences in hourly pay depending on employer types, as K-12 public school districts, charter schools, and private institutions may offer different packages. Those accepting lower hourly pay in exchange for benefits like health insurance may find the trade worthwhile, especially in a post-COVID environment where mental health funding is increasing. Negotiating pay rates is crucial, and leveraging local knowledge about typical compensation in Hastings and aligning with step-and-lane structures prevalent in K-12 education may enhance opportunities for school counselors seeking a fair wage.
More salary data for Hastings, 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 Hastings. 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 Hastings 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