School Counselor Hourly Pay in Lee's Summit, MO: $26.46 (2026)
Quick Answer:Hourly pay for a school counselor working in Lee's Summit, MO runs $26.46 at the median for 2026 — annualizing to $55,038 at a standard 2,080-hour year. Figures projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 21-1012). Weighted against Lee's Summit's regional price level (BEA RPP 89.6, 10% below national), each hour of work buys what $29.53 nationally would. A 24-hour part-time schedule grosses $33,024 per year.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
In Lee's Summit, MO, school counselor hourly pay is projected to reach a median of $26.46 in 2026, notably lower than the national average of $30.93 per hour. This disparity reflects the region's cost of living index, which stands at 89.6, indicating that local salaries may not fully align with national standards. For part-time school counselors, working a schedule of three days a week can yield a predictable income, especially in typical environments such as elementary/middle school counseling and high school resource rooms. Depending on experience and placement, entry-level positions start around $18.51 hourly, while the top earners can command as much as $41.01 per hour. These figures highlight a range of earning potential reflective of both the local job market and the demand for counseling services in Lee's Summit.
About the Lee's Summit 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) | $18.51 | $148.09 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $20.96 | $167.69 |
| Median (P50) | $26.46 | $211.69 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $33.87 | $270.96 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $41.01 | $328.11 |
Estimated Annual Income by Work Schedule in Lee's Summit
Based on $26.46/hr median hourly rate · 2026 est.
At $26.46/hr, a school counselor working full-time (40 hr/wk) in Lee's Summit, MO can expect to earn approximately $55,040 per year (2026 est.). Part-time hygienists working 24 hours per week would earn around $31,754. With a cost-of-living index of 89.60 (below the national average), these earnings stretch further in Lee's Summit.
Hourly Rate Calculator
Schedule Comparison in Lee's Summit
| Schedule | Weekly | Monthly | Annual |
|---|---|---|---|
| Full-Time (40 hrs) | $1,058.46 | $4,587 | $55,040 |
| Part-Time (24 hrs) | $635.08 | $2,752 | $33,024 |
| Per Diem (16 hrs) | $423.39 | $1,835 | $22,016 |
Compare SC, LSC Wages With Similar Roles
| Role | Median Hourly |
|---|---|
| School Counselor (Lee's Summit) | $26.46 |
| 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 Lee's Summit, MO earn a median of $55,038 per year (2026 est.), which is 14.45% lower than the national median of $64,335 and 0.90% below the Missouri state average of $55,537.
School Counselor Hourly Pay vs. Cost of Living
Working 24h/week at $26.46/hr = $33,024/year (purchasing power: $36,857).
Working 40h/week (full-time) = $55,040/year (purchasing power: $61,429).
CoL index: 89.6 (100 = national average). Your dollars stretch further here.
2019 BLS Actual
$22.99/hr
2025 BLS Actual
$25.93/hr
2026 Current Est.
$26.46/hr
2019–2027 Growth
+17.5%
Hourly Rate Trajectory for School Counselors in Lee's Summit (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 2.05% projection.
| Year | Hourly Rate | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $22.99/hr | Actual |
| 2020 | $23.43/hr | Actual |
| 2021 | $24.39/hr | Actual |
| 2022 | $24.24/hr | Actual |
| 2023 | $24.87/hr | Actual |
| 2024 | $25.62/hr | Actual |
| 2025 | $25.93/hr | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $26.46/hr | Estimated |
| 2027 | $27.00/hr | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, the median hourly rate for school counselors in Lee's Summit grew 12.8% from $22.99/hr (2019) to $25.93/hr (2025). At a 2.05% projected growth rate, hourly pay is expected to reach $27.00/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 Lee's Summit 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 Lee's Summit
Within the context of part-time employment, a school counselor working just three days a week may expect to take home approximately $20,000 annually, which can be significantly lower than their full-time counterparts. This disparity is further influenced by the role of per-diem work; specialized private college counselors in high-cost areas can charge rates ranging from $150 to $400 per hour for admissions consulting, far exceeding typical school salaries. Moreover, hourly rates can fluctuate depending on the school type, notably lower for K-12 public institutions compared to charter or private schools, where compensation might include benefits considered by many as highly desirable. School counselors should weigh these trade-offs carefully when assessing job offers, particularly in Lee's Summit, where negotiating for a higher rate may be necessary to replace potential benefits. Seeking accredited positions through ASCA or similar has proven beneficial, especially within districts that prioritize mental health funding expansion post-COVID.
More salary data for Lee's Summit, 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 Lee's Summit. 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 Lee's Summit 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