School Counselor Hourly Pay in St. Louis, MO: $28.92 (2026)
Quick Answer:Hourly pay for a school counselor working in St. Louis, MO runs $28.92 at the median for 2026 — annualizing to $60,166 at a standard 2,080-hour year. Figures projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 21-1012). Weighted against St. Louis's regional price level (BEA RPP 95.1, 5% below national), each hour of work buys what $30.41 nationally would. A 24-hour part-time schedule grosses $36,093 per year.
Official BLS data · View source
In St. Louis, Missouri, the anticipated school counselor hourly pay is set at $28.92, which is slightly lower than the national hourly median of $30.93. This rate reflects the financial dynamics faced by school counselors working in various settings, such as elementary schools providing guidance lessons, middle schools engaging in small group counseling, and high schools conducting individual counseling sessions. Counselors who might work on a part-time basis, such as three days per week, can find this rate particularly relevant, as it dictates their earnings for the time spent in schools or crisis response team coordination spaces. The hourly earnings can range significantly from $21.83 at the entry-level to approximately $44.00 for those at the peak of their careers, demonstrating that experience and employed setting greatly affect compensation. These figures are sourced from the 2025 BLS OEWS data projected to 2026.
School Counselor Hourly Wage Breakdown
| Percentile | Hourly Rate | Per 8hr Shift |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $21.83 | $174.63 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $23.45 | $187.61 |
| Median (P50) | $28.92 | $231.37 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $36.00 | $288.03 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $44.00 | $352.03 |
Estimated Annual Income by Work Schedule in St. Louis
Based on $28.92/hr median hourly rate · 2026 est.
At $28.92/hr, a school counselor working full-time (40 hr/wk) in St. Louis, MO can expect to earn approximately $60,156 per year (2026 est.). Part-time hygienists working 24 hours per week would earn around $34,705. With a cost-of-living index of 95.09 (below the national average), these earnings stretch further in St. Louis.
Hourly Rate Calculator
Schedule Comparison in St. Louis
| Schedule | Weekly | Monthly | Annual |
|---|---|---|---|
| Full-Time (40 hrs) | $1,156.84 | $5,013 | $60,156 |
| Part-Time (24 hrs) | $694.10 | $3,008 | $36,093 |
| Per Diem (16 hrs) | $462.74 | $2,005 | $24,062 |
Compare SC, LSC Wages With Similar Roles
| Role | Median Hourly |
|---|---|
| School Counselor (St. Louis) | $28.92 |
| 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. Louis, MO earn a median of $60,166 per year (2026 est.), which is 6.48% lower than the national median of $64,335 and 8.40% above the Missouri state average of $55,503.
School Counselor Hourly Pay vs. Cost of Living
Working 24h/week at $28.92/hr = $36,093/year (purchasing power: $37,958).
Working 40h/week (full-time) = $60,156/year (purchasing power: $63,263).
CoL index: 95.088 (100 = national average). Your dollars stretch further here.
2019 BLS Actual
$23.26/hr
2025 BLS Actual
$28.34/hr
2026 Current Est.
$28.92/hr
2019–2027 Growth
+26.9%
Hourly Rate Trajectory for School Counselors in St. Louis (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 2.05% projection.
| Year | Hourly Rate | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $23.26/hr | Actual |
| 2020 | $24.53/hr | Actual |
| 2021 | $23.09/hr | Actual |
| 2022 | $24.18/hr | Actual |
| 2023 | $24.67/hr | Actual |
| 2024 | $27.38/hr | Actual |
| 2025 | $28.34/hr | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $28.92/hr | Estimated |
| 2027 | $29.51/hr | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, the median hourly rate for school counselors in St. Louis grew 21.8% from $23.26/hr (2019) to $28.34/hr (2025). At a 2.05% projected growth rate, hourly pay is expected to reach $29.51/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. Louis 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. Louis
Focusing on part-time career potential, a school counselor in St. Louis working 24 hours a week could expect to bring home around $36,312 annually, which offers a stark comparison to full-time earnings. Per diem school counselor pay in St. Louis can vary widely, as some private college counselors navigate their worth with rates charged between $150 to $400 per hour in high-cost-of-living markets. Furthermore, opportunities like extended school year summer counseling can add significant income, potentially increasing earnings by $5,000 to $15,000. It's crucial to note that hourly rates may differ substantially depending on the type of employer; K-12 public school districts, charter schools, and private institutions each hold different compensation structures. While some school counselors prioritize hourly rate over benefits, others may opt for slightly lower pay that includes health insurance and retirement plans. Understanding local market dynamics can aid both new and seasoned counselors in negotiating their pay effectively in St. Louis.
More salary data for St. Louis, 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. Louis. Part-time and full-time income estimates assume consistent weekly hours and do not account for overtime, benefits, or seasonal variation.
Data Sources & Methodology
Source: BLS, OEWS, 7-year dataset (–). Per-city data from annual BLS metropolitan area surveys.
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