School Counselor Hourly Pay in St. Charles, MO: $26.99 (2026)
Quick Answer:Hourly pay for a school counselor working in St. Charles, MO runs $26.99 at the median for 2026 — annualizing to $56,147 at a standard 2,080-hour year. Figures projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 21-1012). Weighted against St. Charles's regional price level (BEA RPP 89.6, 10% below national), each hour of work buys what $30.13 nationally would. A 24-hour part-time schedule grosses $33,686 per year.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
In St. Charles, Missouri, school counselors earn a median hourly pay of $26.99, which is approximately 12.73% lower than the national hourly median of $30.93. This rate indicates competitive compensation for professionals operating within local educational settings such as elementary and high schools or college counseling offices. For part-time school counselors working three days a week, this hourly wage translates to significant income considerations given the demanding schedules they manage, whether leading classroom guidance lessons or engaging in middle school group counseling. The hourly pay range varies from $18.84 at entry-level positions to $41.84 for experienced counselors, illustrating potential financial growth as counselors advance in their careers. These hourly rates are derived from annual salary data and reflect the local demand and funding allocations for mental health support in schools.
About the St. Charles 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) | $18.84 | $150.71 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $21.27 | $170.14 |
| Median (P50) | $26.99 | $215.94 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $34.44 | $275.53 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $41.84 | $334.72 |
Estimated Annual Income by Work Schedule in St. Charles
Based on $26.99/hr median hourly rate · 2026 est.
At $26.99/hr, a school counselor working full-time (40 hr/wk) in St. Charles, MO can expect to earn approximately $56,144 per year (2026 est.). Part-time hygienists working 24 hours per week would earn around $32,391. With a cost-of-living index of 89.60 (below the national average), these earnings stretch further in St. Charles.
Hourly Rate Calculator
Schedule Comparison in St. Charles
| Schedule | Weekly | Monthly | Annual |
|---|---|---|---|
| Full-Time (40 hrs) | $1,079.69 | $4,679 | $56,144 |
| Part-Time (24 hrs) | $647.81 | $2,807 | $33,686 |
| Per Diem (16 hrs) | $431.88 | $1,871 | $22,458 |
Compare SC, LSC Wages With Similar Roles
| Role | Median Hourly |
|---|---|
| School Counselor (St. Charles) | $26.99 |
| 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 St. Charles, MO earn a median of $56,147 per year (2026 est.), which is 12.73% lower than the national median of $64,335 and 1.10% above the Missouri state average of $55,536.
School Counselor Hourly Pay vs. Cost of Living
Working 24h/week at $26.99/hr = $33,686/year (purchasing power: $37,596).
Working 40h/week (full-time) = $56,144/year (purchasing power: $62,661).
CoL index: 89.6 (100 = national average). Your dollars stretch further here.
2019 BLS Actual
$23.45/hr
2025 BLS Actual
$26.45/hr
2026 Current Est.
$26.99/hr
2019–2027 Growth
+17.5%
Hourly Rate Trajectory for School Counselors in St. Charles (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 2.05% projection.
| Year | Hourly Rate | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $23.45/hr | Actual |
| 2020 | $23.90/hr | Actual |
| 2021 | $24.88/hr | Actual |
| 2022 | $24.73/hr | Actual |
| 2023 | $25.37/hr | Actual |
| 2024 | $26.14/hr | Actual |
| 2025 | $26.45/hr | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $26.99/hr | Estimated |
| 2027 | $27.55/hr | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, the median hourly rate for school counselors in St. Charles grew 12.8% from $23.45/hr (2019) to $26.45/hr (2025). At a 2.05% projected growth rate, hourly pay is expected to reach $27.55/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 St. Charles 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 St. Charles
The financial potential for part-time school counselors in St. Charles can be enticing, especially when considering a three-day workweek. Earning $26.99 per hour, a counselor working 24 hours a week would generate roughly $33,372 annually. In contrast, full-time counselors can earn more, and most expect a consistent paycheck derived from their full-time commitments. Furthermore, per diem school counselor pay in St. Charles reveals a stark difference; many private counselors charge between $150 to $400 per hour for specialized services. This rate can substantially increase earnings, especially for those willing to provide college admissions consulting or summer counseling, which can add an additional $5,000 to $15,000 to annual earnings. Additionally, hourly rates can differ significantly depending on employer type: K-12 public schools, charter schools, and private institutions vary in compensation structures. Many counselors balance the lower hourly pay of public schools with the benefits of health insurance, while others may prefer higher hourly rates without benefits. For those negotiating hourly pay in St. Charles, understanding the local market and being well-prepared can help secure a more favorable wage.
More salary data for St. Charles, 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 St. Charles. 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 St. Charles 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