School Counselor Hourly Pay in Kirkwood, MO: $26.47 (2026)
Quick Answer:Hourly pay for a school counselor working in Kirkwood, MO runs $26.47 at the median for 2026 — annualizing to $55,068 at a standard 2,080-hour year. Figures projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 21-1012). Weighted against Kirkwood's regional price level (BEA RPP 89.6, 10% below national), each hour of work buys what $29.54 nationally would. A 24-hour part-time schedule grosses $33,037 per year.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
Kirkwood, Missouri offers a median school counselor hourly pay of $26.47, which is notably lower than the national median of $30.93. This hourly rate poses a unique situation for part-time counselors, such as those working three days a week, and for per-diem workers engaging in various educational environments, including elementary classroom guidance lessons, middle school counseling groups, and high school individual sessions. With an hourly range starting at $19.09 for entry-level positions and reaching up to $41.03 for experienced professionals, the pay structure reflects interpretations of annual salary data. Budget constraints in many districts often play a role in anchoring salaries, as school counselors navigate these financial landscapes while working to meet the needs of both students and educational institutions in Kirkwood.
About the Kirkwood Market
Salary estimated from Missouri average ($60,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
School Counselor Hourly Wage Breakdown
| Percentile | Hourly Rate | Per 8hr Shift |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $19.09 | $152.75 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $21.22 | $169.73 |
| Median (P50) | $26.47 | $211.77 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $33.83 | $270.64 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $41.03 | $328.27 |
Estimated Annual Income by Work Schedule in Kirkwood
Based on $26.47/hr median hourly rate · 2026 est.
At $26.47/hr, a school counselor working full-time (40 hr/wk) in Kirkwood, MO can expect to earn approximately $55,061 per year (2026 est.). Part-time hygienists working 24 hours per week would earn around $31,766. With a cost-of-living index of 89.60 (below the national average), these earnings stretch further in Kirkwood.
Hourly Rate Calculator
Schedule Comparison in Kirkwood
| Schedule | Weekly | Monthly | Annual |
|---|---|---|---|
| Full-Time (40 hrs) | $1,058.87 | $4,588 | $55,061 |
| Part-Time (24 hrs) | $635.32 | $2,753 | $33,037 |
| Per Diem (16 hrs) | $423.55 | $1,835 | $22,025 |
Compare SC, LSC Wages With Similar Roles
| Role | Median Hourly |
|---|---|
| School Counselor (Kirkwood) | $26.47 |
| 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 Kirkwood, MO earn a median of $55,068 per year (2026 est.), which is 14.40% lower than the national median of $64,335 and 0.80% below the Missouri state average of $55,512.
School Counselor Hourly Pay vs. Cost of Living
Working 24h/week at $26.47/hr = $33,037/year (purchasing power: $36,871).
Working 40h/week (full-time) = $55,061/year (purchasing power: $61,452).
CoL index: 89.6 (100 = national average). Your dollars stretch further here.
2019 BLS Actual
$23.00/hr
2025 BLS Actual
$25.94/hr
2026 Current Est.
$26.47/hr
2019–2027 Growth
+17.5%
Hourly Rate Trajectory for School Counselors in Kirkwood (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 2.05% projection.
| Year | Hourly Rate | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $23.00/hr | Actual |
| 2020 | $23.44/hr | Actual |
| 2021 | $24.40/hr | Actual |
| 2022 | $24.25/hr | Actual |
| 2023 | $24.88/hr | Actual |
| 2024 | $25.63/hr | Actual |
| 2025 | $25.94/hr | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $26.47/hr | Estimated |
| 2027 | $27.01/hr | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, the median hourly rate for school counselors in Kirkwood grew 12.8% from $23.00/hr (2019) to $25.94/hr (2025). At a 2.05% projected growth rate, hourly pay is expected to reach $27.01/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 Kirkwood 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 Kirkwood
In terms of actual earnings, a school counselor working part-time for 24 hours a week could take home approximately $33,000 annually, compared to full-time salaries that align with hours above 40 each week. The per diem model presents another intriguing dynamic, where private college counselors in high-cost areas effortlessly charge anywhere from $150 to $400 per hour. Additionally, roles in summer counseling can further enhance earnings, sometimes adding between $5,000 and $15,000 to base salaries. Salary variations are also prominent across different employer types in Kirkwood, including K-12 public schools, charter schools, and post-secondary institutions, all of which may have differing pay structures influenced by the traditional step-and-lane models. Many counselors weigh the associated benefits of stability and insurance against the allure of higher hourly rates offered in more flexible roles. When negotiating locally, it's important to emphasize the value of experience and certifications, particularly given the emphasis on the ASCA guidelines that advocate for a more favorable counselor-to-student ratio in the wake of increased mental health funding following the COVID-19 pandemic.
More salary data for Kirkwood, MO:
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 Kirkwood. 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 Kirkwood 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