School Counselor Hourly Pay in Missoula, MT: $24.45 (2026)
Quick Answer:Hourly pay for a school counselor working in Missoula, MT runs $24.45 at the median for 2026 — annualizing to $50,865 at a standard 2,080-hour year. Figures projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 21-1012). Weighted against Missoula's regional price level (BEA RPP 96.4, 4% below national), each hour of work buys what $25.35 nationally would. A 24-hour part-time schedule grosses $30,515 per year.
Official BLS data · View source
In Missoula, MT, the projected median school counselor hourly rate for 2026 is set at $24.45, which positions it significantly below the national median hourly rate of $30.93. For school counselors working part-time, such as those on a three-day workweek, this translates to a compensation of about $24,000 annually, operating within the context of various settings including elementary classrooms, middle school small group counseling, and high school individual counseling offices. The hourly compensation ranges from $21.51 at the entry level to $39.47 for the more experienced, indicating a diverse earning potential based on experience and specialized roles. These figures, derived from the official Bureau of Labor Statistics data, reflect the unique challenges and opportunities within the profession amidst a backdrop of local economic dynamics.
School Counselor Hourly Wage Breakdown
| Percentile | Hourly Rate | Per 8hr Shift |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $21.51 | $172.10 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $22.74 | $181.89 |
| Median (P50) | $24.45 | $195.61 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $37.33 | $298.64 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $39.47 | $315.78 |
Estimated Annual Income by Work Schedule in Missoula
Based on $24.45/hr median hourly rate · 2026 est.
At $24.45/hr, a school counselor working full-time (40 hr/wk) in Missoula, MT can expect to earn approximately $50,858 per year (2026 est.). Part-time hygienists working 24 hours per week would earn around $29,341. With a cost-of-living index of 96.44 (below the national average), these earnings stretch further in Missoula.
Hourly Rate Calculator
Schedule Comparison in Missoula
| Schedule | Weekly | Monthly | Annual |
|---|---|---|---|
| Full-Time (40 hrs) | $978.05 | $4,238 | $50,858 |
| Part-Time (24 hrs) | $586.83 | $2,543 | $30,515 |
| Per Diem (16 hrs) | $391.22 | $1,695 | $20,343 |
Compare SC, LSC Wages With Similar Roles
| Role | Median Hourly |
|---|---|
| School Counselor (Missoula) | $24.45 |
| 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 Missoula, MT earn a median of $50,865 per year (2026 est.), which is 20.94% lower than the national median of $64,335 and 16.80% below the Montana state average of $61,136.
School Counselor Hourly Pay vs. Cost of Living
Working 24h/week at $24.45/hr = $30,515/year (purchasing power: $31,640).
Working 40h/week (full-time) = $50,858/year (purchasing power: $52,733).
CoL index: 96.445 (100 = national average). Your dollars stretch further here.
2019 BLS Actual
$21.89/hr
2025 BLS Actual
$23.96/hr
2026 Current Est.
$24.45/hr
2019–2027 Growth
+14.0%
Hourly Rate Trajectory for School Counselors in Missoula (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 2.05% projection.
| Year | Hourly Rate | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $21.89/hr | Actual |
| 2020 | $22.41/hr | Actual |
| 2021 | $22.42/hr | Actual |
| 2022 | $31.52/hr | Actual |
| 2023 | $32.13/hr | Actual |
| 2024 | $23.36/hr | Actual |
| 2025 | $23.96/hr | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $24.45/hr | Estimated |
| 2027 | $24.95/hr | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, the median hourly rate for school counselors in Missoula grew 9.5% from $21.89/hr (2019) to $23.96/hr (2025). At a 2.05% projected growth rate, hourly pay is expected to reach $24.95/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 Missoula 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 Missoula
For those considering part-time roles, a school counselor working a standard 24-hour week might see their annual take-home amount significantly less than if they were full-time, illustrating the trade-offs often present in K-12 education settings. Per diem school counselor pay in Missoula can vary, with private college counselors charging anywhere from $150 to $400 per hour for specialized services in high cost-of-living markets. Employment within different educational settings impacts compensation as well; counselors in public school districts may enjoy benefits such as health insurance that are less common among those in private or charter schools. Moreover, during the extended school year, many take on summer counseling roles which can further increase their earnings range by an additional $5,000 to $15,000. Negotiation tactics for hourly workers in Missoula should prioritize not just base pay but also the value of benefits when evaluating potential positions, balancing financial needs with job satisfaction.
More salary data for Missoula, MT:
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 Missoula. 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