School Counselor Hourly Pay in Northfield, MN: $29.66 (2026)
Quick Answer:Hourly pay for a school counselor working in Northfield, MN runs $29.66 at the median for 2026 — annualizing to $61,684 at a standard 2,080-hour year. Figures projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 21-1012). Weighted against Northfield's regional price level (BEA RPP 98.5, 1% below national), each hour of work buys what $30.11 nationally would. A 24-hour part-time schedule grosses $37,010 per year.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
In 2026, the school counselor hourly pay in Northfield, Minnesota, is projected to be $29.66, slightly lower than the national hourly median of $30.93. This rate shapes the financial landscape significantly, especially for part-time and per-diem counselors working in various educational settings like elementary classrooms, middle school counseling groups, and high school individual counseling offices. With an hourly range from $21.73 for entry-level positions up to $45.25 for seasoned professionals, the earnings potential reflects both expertise and experience. For school counselors engaged in crisis response or college counseling, these hourly rates translate into real income, allowing even part-time workers to make substantial contributions to their households while helping students navigate important life challenges.
About the Northfield 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) | $21.73 | $173.81 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $23.89 | $191.12 |
| Median (P50) | $29.66 | $237.25 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $37.07 | $296.60 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $45.25 | $361.99 |
Estimated Annual Income by Work Schedule in Northfield
Based on $29.66/hr median hourly rate · 2026 est.
At $29.66/hr, a school counselor working full-time (40 hr/wk) in Northfield, MN can expect to earn approximately $61,684 per year (2026 est.). Part-time hygienists working 24 hours per week would earn around $35,587. With a cost-of-living index of 98.50 (below the national average), these earnings stretch further in Northfield.
Hourly Rate Calculator
Schedule Comparison in Northfield
| Schedule | Weekly | Monthly | Annual |
|---|---|---|---|
| Full-Time (40 hrs) | $1,186.23 | $5,140 | $61,684 |
| Part-Time (24 hrs) | $711.74 | $3,084 | $37,010 |
| Per Diem (16 hrs) | $474.49 | $2,056 | $24,674 |
Compare SC, LSC Wages With Similar Roles
| Role | Median Hourly |
|---|---|
| School Counselor (Northfield) | $29.66 |
| 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 Northfield, MN earn a median of $61,684 per year (2026 est.), which is 4.12% lower than the national median of $64,335 and 4.50% below the Minnesota state average of $64,591.
School Counselor Hourly Pay vs. Cost of Living
Working 24h/week at $29.66/hr = $37,010/year (purchasing power: $37,574).
Working 40h/week (full-time) = $61,684/year (purchasing power: $62,623).
CoL index: 98.5 (100 = national average). Your dollars stretch further here.
2019 BLS Actual
$25.77/hr
2025 BLS Actual
$29.06/hr
2026 Current Est.
$29.66/hr
2019–2027 Growth
+17.5%
Hourly Rate Trajectory for School Counselors in Northfield (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 2.05% projection.
| Year | Hourly Rate | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $25.77/hr | Actual |
| 2020 | $26.25/hr | Actual |
| 2021 | $27.33/hr | Actual |
| 2022 | $27.17/hr | Actual |
| 2023 | $27.88/hr | Actual |
| 2024 | $31.65/hr | Actual |
| 2025 | $29.06/hr | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $29.66/hr | Estimated |
| 2027 | $30.26/hr | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, the median hourly rate for school counselors in Northfield grew 12.8% from $25.77/hr (2019) to $29.06/hr (2025). At a 2.05% projected growth rate, hourly pay is expected to reach $30.26/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 Northfield 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 Northfield
Exploring the part-time earning potential reveals a stark contrast between school counselors working three days a week and their full-time counterparts. A counselor working 24 hours per week can expect an approximate annual take-home of around $46,000, significantly less than their full-time peers due to fewer hours logged. Per diem school counselor pay in Northfield can also vary widely, especially in private college settings, where consulting fees range from $150 to $400 per hour, reflecting the demand for specialized services. Working in K-12 public school districts often involves health insurance benefits, which is a trade-off for the lower hourly rate; in contrast, some counselors may prefer the freedom of higher pay without benefits. Understanding the nuances of hourly compensation, particularly in Northfield's unique educational environment, can aid school counselors in making informed career decisions and negotiating their worth effectively.
More salary data for Northfield, 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 Northfield. 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 Northfield 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