School Counselor Hourly Pay in Wentzville, MO: $25.45 (2026)
Quick Answer:Hourly pay for a school counselor working in Wentzville, MO runs $25.45 at the median for 2026 — annualizing to $52,944 at a standard 2,080-hour year. Figures projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 21-1012). Weighted against Wentzville's regional price level (BEA RPP 89.6, 10% below national), each hour of work buys what $28.41 nationally would. A 24-hour part-time schedule grosses $31,763 per year.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
For school counselors in Wentzville, Missouri, the projected hourly pay for 2026 is $25.45, which is notably lower than the national median of $30.93. This discrepancy can impact various employment scenarios, particularly for those engaging in part-time positions or per-diem work. Schedules for school counselors often vary, with many working part-time, such as three days a week, where they can expect earnings that allow for a modest living while still making meaningful contributions in settings like elementary classrooms or high school counseling offices. The hourly compensation spans from $18.80 at entry-level positions to $39.45 for top earners in the field. It’s important to keep in mind that these hourly rates are derived from annual salary data and reflect the varying demand for roles, especially in areas facing high student-counselor ratios.
About the Wentzville 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) | $18.80 | $150.38 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $20.15 | $161.24 |
| Median (P50) | $25.45 | $203.61 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $32.30 | $258.39 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $39.45 | $315.62 |
Estimated Annual Income by Work Schedule in Wentzville
Based on $25.45/hr median hourly rate · 2026 est.
At $25.45/hr, a school counselor working full-time (40 hr/wk) in Wentzville, MO can expect to earn approximately $52,939 per year (2026 est.). Part-time hygienists working 24 hours per week would earn around $30,542. With a cost-of-living index of 89.60 (below the national average), these earnings stretch further in Wentzville.
Hourly Rate Calculator
Schedule Comparison in Wentzville
| Schedule | Weekly | Monthly | Annual |
|---|---|---|---|
| Full-Time (40 hrs) | $1,018.05 | $4,412 | $52,939 |
| Part-Time (24 hrs) | $610.83 | $2,647 | $31,763 |
| Per Diem (16 hrs) | $407.22 | $1,765 | $21,175 |
Compare SC, LSC Wages With Similar Roles
| Role | Median Hourly |
|---|---|
| School Counselor (Wentzville) | $25.45 |
| 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 Wentzville, MO earn a median of $52,944 per year (2026 est.), which is 17.71% lower than the national median of $64,335 and 4.60% below the Missouri state average of $55,496.
School Counselor Hourly Pay vs. Cost of Living
Working 24h/week at $25.45/hr = $31,763/year (purchasing power: $35,450).
Working 40h/week (full-time) = $52,939/year (purchasing power: $59,083).
CoL index: 89.6 (100 = national average). Your dollars stretch further here.
2019 BLS Actual
$22.11/hr
2025 BLS Actual
$24.94/hr
2026 Current Est.
$25.45/hr
2019–2027 Growth
+17.5%
Hourly Rate Trajectory for School Counselors in Wentzville (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 2.05% projection.
| Year | Hourly Rate | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $22.11/hr | Actual |
| 2020 | $22.53/hr | Actual |
| 2021 | $23.46/hr | Actual |
| 2022 | $23.32/hr | Actual |
| 2023 | $23.92/hr | Actual |
| 2024 | $24.64/hr | Actual |
| 2025 | $24.94/hr | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $25.45/hr | Estimated |
| 2027 | $25.97/hr | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, the median hourly rate for school counselors in Wentzville grew 12.8% from $22.11/hr (2019) to $24.94/hr (2025). At a 2.05% projected growth rate, hourly pay is expected to reach $25.97/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 Wentzville 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 Wentzville
Taking a closer look at part-time opportunities, a school counselor working approximately 24 hours a week could see take-home earnings that provide a decent lifestyle, yet these figures still fall short compared to full-time positions. Additionally, the per-diem pay rate for school counselors can vary widely; while some local roles pay around $25.45, counselors providing private services, particularly in higher-cost living areas, may charge between $150-$400 per hour for specialized college admissions consulting. In Wentzville, the earning potential can differ significantly based on the type of employer, such as public school districts, charter schools, or private institutions. This dynamic opens a conversation about the trade-offs between higher hourly rates without benefits versus stable positions with health insurance. School counselors looking to optimize their earnings may find negotiating contracts or seeking roles in specific educational settings beneficial to their financial and professional goals.
More salary data for Wentzville, MO:
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the hourly rate for school counselors in Wentzville in 2026?
How much do part-time school counselors make in Wentzville?
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How much does a full-time school counselor make per year in Wentzville?
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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 Wentzville. 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 Wentzville 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