School Counselor Hourly Pay in Winona, MN: $29.43 (2026)
Quick Answer:Hourly pay for a school counselor working in Winona, MN runs $29.43 at the median for 2026 — annualizing to $61,226 at a standard 2,080-hour year. Figures projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 21-1012). Weighted against Winona's regional price level (BEA RPP 98.5, 1% below national), each hour of work buys what $29.88 nationally would. A 24-hour part-time schedule grosses $36,730 per year.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
In Winona, Minnesota, the school counselor hourly pay is projected to reach a median of $29.43 in 2026, which is slightly below the national median of $30.93. This hourly rate offers a solid foundation for part-time and per-diem workers in various educational settings, including elementary classroom guidance, middle school group counseling, high school individual sessions, and college counseling. For those working three days a week or fewer, earning around $29.43 an hour can translate to a flexible work-life balance while still providing valuable services to students. The hourly range for counselors in this region spans from approximately $21.44 at entry-level positions to about $45.63 for top earners, showcasing the breadth of pay for differing levels of experience and responsibility, albeit these figures are estimated based on annual salary projections.
About the Winona 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) | $21.44 | $171.53 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $23.75 | $189.98 |
| Median (P50) | $29.43 | $235.45 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $37.14 | $297.09 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $45.63 | $365.01 |
Estimated Annual Income by Work Schedule in Winona
Based on $29.43/hr median hourly rate · 2026 est.
At $29.43/hr, a school counselor working full-time (40 hr/wk) in Winona, MN can expect to earn approximately $61,217 per year (2026 est.). Part-time hygienists working 24 hours per week would earn around $35,317. With a cost-of-living index of 98.50 (below the national average), these earnings stretch further in Winona.
Hourly Rate Calculator
Schedule Comparison in Winona
| Schedule | Weekly | Monthly | Annual |
|---|---|---|---|
| Full-Time (40 hrs) | $1,177.25 | $5,101 | $61,217 |
| Part-Time (24 hrs) | $706.35 | $3,061 | $36,730 |
| Per Diem (16 hrs) | $470.90 | $2,041 | $24,487 |
Compare SC, LSC Wages With Similar Roles
| Role | Median Hourly |
|---|---|
| School Counselor (Winona) | $29.43 |
| 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 Winona, MN earn a median of $61,226 per year (2026 est.), which is 4.83% lower than the national median of $64,335 and 5.20% below the Minnesota state average of $64,584.
School Counselor Hourly Pay vs. Cost of Living
Working 24h/week at $29.43/hr = $36,730/year (purchasing power: $37,290).
Working 40h/week (full-time) = $61,217/year (purchasing power: $62,149).
CoL index: 98.5 (100 = national average). Your dollars stretch further here.
2019 BLS Actual
$25.57/hr
2025 BLS Actual
$28.84/hr
2026 Current Est.
$29.43/hr
2019–2027 Growth
+17.5%
Hourly Rate Trajectory for School Counselors in Winona (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 2.05% projection.
| Year | Hourly Rate | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $25.57/hr | Actual |
| 2020 | $26.06/hr | Actual |
| 2021 | $27.13/hr | Actual |
| 2022 | $26.96/hr | Actual |
| 2023 | $27.67/hr | Actual |
| 2024 | $31.41/hr | Actual |
| 2025 | $28.84/hr | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $29.43/hr | Estimated |
| 2027 | $30.03/hr | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, the median hourly rate for school counselors in Winona grew 12.8% from $25.57/hr (2019) to $28.84/hr (2025). At a 2.05% projected growth rate, hourly pay is expected to reach $30.03/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 Winona 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 Winona
For a school counselor working in Winona on a part-time basis, the potential annual take-home pay is significantly lower compared to full-time colleagues, especially if working a typical 24-hour week. With part-time placements becoming more common, the reality may entail adjusting to a lower income while navigating financial commitments. Several per-diem opportunities exist, though, particularly within private institutions where rates can soar to between $150 and $400 per hour for college admissions consulting. K-12 public school districts tend to follow a structured pay scale similar to teachers, often prioritizing benefits like health insurance over higher hourly wages. Understanding these nuances is crucial for professionals in the field, as negotiating for per diem or part-time roles might require flexibility in compensation package preferences, thereby acknowledging the diverse employer types in Winona, including charter schools and DoDEA schools.
More salary data for Winona, 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 Winona. 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 Winona 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