School Counselor Hourly Pay in Richfield, MN: $29.92 (2026)
Quick Answer:Hourly pay for a school counselor working in Richfield, MN runs $29.92 at the median for 2026 — annualizing to $62,229 at a standard 2,080-hour year. Figures projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 21-1012). Weighted against Richfield's regional price level (BEA RPP 98.5, 1% below national), each hour of work buys what $30.38 nationally would. A 24-hour part-time schedule grosses $37,341 per year.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
In Richfield, Minnesota, the projected school counselor hourly rate for 2026 is set at $29.92, which is slightly below the national median of $30.93. This rate indicates a structured pay scale that aligns closely with school funding, which is increasingly influenced by mental health initiatives and counselor scalability, especially in the post-COVID climate. For part-time counselors working three days a week, this translates into meaningful earning potential through various roles such as providing guidance in elementary school classrooms, facilitating small group counseling in middle schools, or offering individualized support in high school settings. The hourly pay for school counselors in Richfield ranges from $22.46 for entry-level positions to $46.37 for those at the top of the earnings scale, reflecting both experience and the critical need for mental health support in educational environments.
About the Richfield 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) | $22.46 | $179.69 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $24.73 | $197.81 |
| Median (P50) | $29.92 | $239.37 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $37.19 | $297.50 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $46.37 | $370.97 |
Estimated Annual Income by Work Schedule in Richfield
Based on $29.92/hr median hourly rate · 2026 est.
At $29.92/hr, a school counselor working full-time (40 hr/wk) in Richfield, MN can expect to earn approximately $62,236 per year (2026 est.). Part-time hygienists working 24 hours per week would earn around $35,905. With a cost-of-living index of 98.50 (below the national average), these earnings stretch further in Richfield.
Hourly Rate Calculator
Schedule Comparison in Richfield
| Schedule | Weekly | Monthly | Annual |
|---|---|---|---|
| Full-Time (40 hrs) | $1,196.84 | $5,186 | $62,236 |
| Part-Time (24 hrs) | $718.11 | $3,112 | $37,341 |
| Per Diem (16 hrs) | $478.74 | $2,075 | $24,894 |
Compare SC, LSC Wages With Similar Roles
| Role | Median Hourly |
|---|---|
| School Counselor (Richfield) | $29.92 |
| 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 Richfield, MN earn a median of $62,229 per year (2026 est.), which is 3.27% lower than the national median of $64,335 and 3.70% below the Minnesota state average of $64,620.
School Counselor Hourly Pay vs. Cost of Living
Working 24h/week at $29.92/hr = $37,341/year (purchasing power: $37,910).
Working 40h/week (full-time) = $62,236/year (purchasing power: $63,184).
CoL index: 98.5 (100 = national average). Your dollars stretch further here.
2019 BLS Actual
$26.00/hr
2025 BLS Actual
$29.32/hr
2026 Current Est.
$29.92/hr
2019–2027 Growth
+17.5%
Hourly Rate Trajectory for School Counselors in Richfield (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 2.05% projection.
| Year | Hourly Rate | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $26.00/hr | Actual |
| 2020 | $26.49/hr | Actual |
| 2021 | $27.58/hr | Actual |
| 2022 | $27.41/hr | Actual |
| 2023 | $28.13/hr | Actual |
| 2024 | $31.93/hr | Actual |
| 2025 | $29.32/hr | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $29.92/hr | Estimated |
| 2027 | $30.53/hr | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, the median hourly rate for school counselors in Richfield grew 12.8% from $26.00/hr (2019) to $29.32/hr (2025). At a 2.05% projected growth rate, hourly pay is expected to reach $30.53/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 Richfield 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 Richfield
Exploring the earning potential for part-time positions, a school counselor working 24 hours per week would make approximately $46,054 annually, compared to a full-time role that would yield roughly $62,229. Many professionals in Richfield choose to work per diem, particularly in private colleges where rates can vary significantly, often between $150 and $400 per hour. Jobs at K-12 public school districts, charter schools, and private institutions typically follow a step-and-lane pay structure similar to teachers, offering stable employment with predictably lower hourly wages. Those who accept lower hourly rates may do so for benefits like health insurance, while others opt for higher per diem or agency rates without the security of benefits. Counselors should consider the nuances in employer types and negotiate effectively to ensure their hourly pay reflects their expertise and local market demand while also addressing their personal needs for income stability versus flexibility.
More salary data for Richfield, 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 Richfield. 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 Richfield 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