School Counselor Hourly Pay in Sedalia, MO: $25.63 (2026)
Quick Answer:Hourly pay for a school counselor working in Sedalia, MO runs $25.63 at the median for 2026 — annualizing to $53,311 at a standard 2,080-hour year. Figures projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 21-1012). Weighted against Sedalia's regional price level (BEA RPP 89.6, 10% below national), each hour of work buys what $28.61 nationally would. A 24-hour part-time schedule grosses $31,992 per year.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
In Sedalia, Missouri, the typical school counselor earns a median hourly rate of $25.63, which falls significantly below the national median of $30.93 per hour. This differential highlights the local economic factors affecting education salaries in the area, as well as the value placed on counseling roles in Sedalia's school systems. For part-time counselors working approximately three days a week, this translates to about $30,000 annually, a figure that might influence their decision to seek additional work, especially in various settings such as elementary classrooms, middle school group sessions, or high school individual counseling offices. The hourly pay ranges from $19.02 for entry-level positions to $38.50 for experienced professionals, reflecting the spectrum of expertise and responsibilities that school counselors undertake in Sedalia's educational landscape.
About the Sedalia 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) | $19.02 | $152.18 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $20.83 | $166.63 |
| Median (P50) | $25.63 | $205.08 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $31.67 | $253.33 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $38.50 | $308.03 |
Estimated Annual Income by Work Schedule in Sedalia
Based on $25.63/hr median hourly rate · 2026 est.
At $25.63/hr, a school counselor working full-time (40 hr/wk) in Sedalia, MO can expect to earn approximately $53,321 per year (2026 est.). Part-time hygienists working 24 hours per week would earn around $30,762. With a cost-of-living index of 89.60 (below the national average), these earnings stretch further in Sedalia.
Hourly Rate Calculator
Schedule Comparison in Sedalia
| Schedule | Weekly | Monthly | Annual |
|---|---|---|---|
| Full-Time (40 hrs) | $1,025.40 | $4,443 | $53,321 |
| Part-Time (24 hrs) | $615.24 | $2,666 | $31,992 |
| Per Diem (16 hrs) | $410.16 | $1,777 | $21,328 |
Compare SC, LSC Wages With Similar Roles
| Role | Median Hourly |
|---|---|
| School Counselor (Sedalia) | $25.63 |
| 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 Sedalia, MO earn a median of $53,311 per year (2026 est.), which is 17.14% lower than the national median of $64,335 and 4.00% below the Missouri state average of $55,532.
School Counselor Hourly Pay vs. Cost of Living
Working 24h/week at $25.63/hr = $31,992/year (purchasing power: $35,706).
Working 40h/week (full-time) = $53,321/year (purchasing power: $59,510).
CoL index: 89.6 (100 = national average). Your dollars stretch further here.
2019 BLS Actual
$22.27/hr
2025 BLS Actual
$25.12/hr
2026 Current Est.
$25.63/hr
2019–2027 Growth
+17.5%
Hourly Rate Trajectory for School Counselors in Sedalia (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 2.05% projection.
| Year | Hourly Rate | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $22.27/hr | Actual |
| 2020 | $22.70/hr | Actual |
| 2021 | $23.63/hr | Actual |
| 2022 | $23.48/hr | Actual |
| 2023 | $24.10/hr | Actual |
| 2024 | $24.82/hr | Actual |
| 2025 | $25.12/hr | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $25.63/hr | Estimated |
| 2027 | $26.16/hr | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, the median hourly rate for school counselors in Sedalia grew 12.8% from $22.27/hr (2019) to $25.12/hr (2025). At a 2.05% projected growth rate, hourly pay is expected to reach $26.16/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 Sedalia 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 Sedalia
When considering the earning potential for school counselors in Sedalia, it's useful to analyze the impact of part-time or per-diem work structures. For those who prefer a flexible schedule, working around 24 hours a week can result in just over $30,000 annually, starkly contrasting with the full-time salary trajectory under the local step-and-lane pay structures seen in many districts. Per diem school counselor pay in Sedalia also varies; while substitute roles in this field are rare, private college consultants typically charge between $150 to $400 per hour in high-cost markets, emphasizing a higher earning bracket not often available to public school counselors. This variation opens up important considerations about work-life balance and benefits packages; some counselors might accept lower hourly rates to secure health insurance and job security, something often lacking in per-diem positions. Those negotiating their hourly rate should understand these trade-offs and remain advocates for fair compensation reflective of their qualifications and the growing needs based on recent mental health funding increases.
More salary data for Sedalia, 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 Sedalia. 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 Sedalia 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