School Counselor Hourly Pay in Kearney, NE: $26.71 (2026)
Quick Answer:Hourly pay for a school counselor working in Kearney, NE runs $26.71 at the median for 2026 — annualizing to $55,554 at a standard 2,080-hour year. Figures projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 21-1012). Weighted against Kearney's regional price level (BEA RPP 91.5, 8% below national), each hour of work buys what $29.19 nationally would. A 24-hour part-time schedule grosses $33,330 per year.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
In Kearney, Nebraska, school counselors earn a median hourly pay of $26.71, which is notably lower than the national median of $30.93. This gap presents a unique landscape for those considering part-time or per-diеm work in this profession. For counselors working approximately three days a week, or around 24 hours, this translates to a monthly take-home that adjusts their financial planning. Additionally, the hourly range for school counselors in Kearney stretches from around $20.04 for entry-level positions to $41.40 for the most experienced professionals. These hourly rates are estimated from the expected annual salary data and reflect the demand for counseling services across various educational settings, such as elementary and high schools, as well as colleges.
About the Kearney Market
Salary estimated from Nebraska average ($60,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
School Counselor Hourly Wage Breakdown
| Percentile | Hourly Rate | Per 8hr Shift |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $20.04 | $160.34 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $22.06 | $176.51 |
| Median (P50) | $26.71 | $213.65 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $34.19 | $273.49 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $41.40 | $331.21 |
Estimated Annual Income by Work Schedule in Kearney
Based on $26.71/hr median hourly rate · 2026 est.
At $26.71/hr, a school counselor working full-time (40 hr/wk) in Kearney, NE can expect to earn approximately $55,549 per year (2026 est.). Part-time hygienists working 24 hours per week would earn around $32,048. With a cost-of-living index of 91.50 (below the national average), these earnings stretch further in Kearney.
Hourly Rate Calculator
Schedule Comparison in Kearney
| Schedule | Weekly | Monthly | Annual |
|---|---|---|---|
| Full-Time (40 hrs) | $1,068.26 | $4,629 | $55,549 |
| Part-Time (24 hrs) | $640.96 | $2,777 | $33,330 |
| Per Diem (16 hrs) | $427.30 | $1,852 | $22,220 |
Compare SC, LSC Wages With Similar Roles
| Role | Median Hourly |
|---|---|
| School Counselor (Kearney) | $26.71 |
| 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 Kearney, NE earn a median of $55,554 per year (2026 est.), which is 13.65% lower than the national median of $64,335 and 3.70% below the Nebraska state average of $57,688.
School Counselor Hourly Pay vs. Cost of Living
Working 24h/week at $26.71/hr = $33,330/year (purchasing power: $36,426).
Working 40h/week (full-time) = $55,549/year (purchasing power: $60,710).
CoL index: 91.5 (100 = national average). Your dollars stretch further here.
2019 BLS Actual
$23.20/hr
2025 BLS Actual
$26.17/hr
2026 Current Est.
$26.71/hr
2019–2027 Growth
+17.5%
Hourly Rate Trajectory for School Counselors in Kearney (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 2.05% projection.
| Year | Hourly Rate | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $23.20/hr | Actual |
| 2020 | $23.64/hr | Actual |
| 2021 | $24.62/hr | Actual |
| 2022 | $24.47/hr | Actual |
| 2023 | $25.10/hr | Actual |
| 2024 | $25.42/hr | Actual |
| 2025 | $26.17/hr | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $26.71/hr | Estimated |
| 2027 | $27.25/hr | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, the median hourly rate for school counselors in Kearney grew 12.8% from $23.20/hr (2019) to $26.17/hr (2025). At a 2.05% projected growth rate, hourly pay is expected to reach $27.25/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 Kearney 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 Kearney
Looking deeper into the earning potential for school counselors in Kearney reveals intriguing possibilities. Part-time school counselors working 24 hours per week would take home approximately $33,158 annually, a significant reduction compared to full-time colleagues. For those seeking more flexible options, the per diem reality invites an opportunity for supplemental income; private school counselors can command rates ranging from $150 to $400 per hour for specialized services during peak college admissions periods. Notably, the variety of employer types—public K-12 schools, charter networks, and post-secondary institutions—offers differing hourly wages and benefits, allowing counselors to weigh health insurance against higher pay without benefits. Practical negotiation tips for hourly workers include understanding the local compensation landscape and engaging in discussions about workload expectations and student-to-counselor ratios to enhance work-life balance and financial stability in the counseling profession.
More salary data for Kearney, NE:
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 Kearney. 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 Kearney 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