School Counselor Hourly Pay in Rochester, NY: $29.18 (2026)
Quick Answer:Hourly pay for a school counselor working in Rochester, NY runs $29.18 at the median for 2026 — annualizing to $60,676 at a standard 2,080-hour year. Figures projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 21-1012). Weighted against Rochester's regional price level (BEA RPP 97.0, 3% below national), each hour of work buys what $30.07 nationally would. A 24-hour part-time schedule grosses $36,412 per year.
Official BLS data · View source
In Rochester, NY, the school counselor hourly pay stands at $29.18, which is slightly below the national median of $30.93. This figure is particularly relevant for those working part-time or on a per-diem basis, offering insight into the financial landscape of counseling roles in educational settings. Counselors often engage in diverse environments, such as conducting guidance lessons in elementary schools, facilitating small group counseling in middle schools, or providing individual support in high schools. The hourly pay range for school counselors varies significantly, from $21.28 at the lower end for entry-level positions to $41.84 for those at the top of the pay scale, reflecting their experience and specific roles. These figures are based on 2025 BLS OEWS data, projected to 2026.
School Counselor Hourly Wage Breakdown
| Percentile | Hourly Rate | Per 8hr Shift |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $21.28 | $170.22 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $24.76 | $198.06 |
| Median (P50) | $29.18 | $233.41 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $35.39 | $283.13 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $41.84 | $334.72 |
Estimated Annual Income by Work Schedule in Rochester
Based on $29.18/hr median hourly rate · 2026 est.
At $29.18/hr, a school counselor working full-time (40 hr/wk) in Rochester, NY can expect to earn approximately $60,686 per year (2026 est.). Part-time hygienists working 24 hours per week would earn around $35,011. With a cost-of-living index of 97.03 (below the national average), these earnings stretch further in Rochester.
Hourly Rate Calculator
Schedule Comparison in Rochester
| Schedule | Weekly | Monthly | Annual |
|---|---|---|---|
| Full-Time (40 hrs) | $1,167.04 | $5,057 | $60,686 |
| Part-Time (24 hrs) | $700.23 | $3,034 | $36,412 |
| Per Diem (16 hrs) | $466.82 | $2,023 | $24,275 |
Compare SC, LSC Wages With Similar Roles
| Role | Median Hourly |
|---|---|
| School Counselor (Rochester) | $29.18 |
| 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 Rochester, NY earn a median of $60,676 per year (2026 est.), which is 5.69% lower than the national median of $64,335 and 2.30% below the New York state average of $62,104.
School Counselor Hourly Pay vs. Cost of Living
Working 24h/week at $29.18/hr = $36,412/year (purchasing power: $37,524).
Working 40h/week (full-time) = $60,686/year (purchasing power: $62,541).
CoL index: 97.035 (100 = national average). Your dollars stretch further here.
2019 BLS Actual
$24.06/hr
2025 BLS Actual
$28.59/hr
2026 Current Est.
$29.18/hr
2019–2027 Growth
+23.7%
Hourly Rate Trajectory for School Counselors in Rochester (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 2.05% projection.
| Year | Hourly Rate | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $24.06/hr | Actual |
| 2020 | $24.40/hr | Actual |
| 2021 | $23.77/hr | Actual |
| 2022 | $25.14/hr | Actual |
| 2023 | $28.02/hr | Actual |
| 2024 | $28.90/hr | Actual |
| 2025 | $28.59/hr | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $29.18/hr | Estimated |
| 2027 | $29.77/hr | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, the median hourly rate for school counselors in Rochester grew 18.8% from $24.06/hr (2019) to $28.59/hr (2025). At a 2.05% projected growth rate, hourly pay is expected to reach $29.77/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 Rochester 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 Rochester
For school counselors working part-time in Rochester, a schedule of three days a week—equating to about 24 hours—would yield an annual income significantly lower than a full-time position, providing about $36,000 in take-home pay before taxes and benefits. In contrast, per-diem work often allows for flexibility and can lead to higher earnings, especially as private college counselors can command rates between $150 to $400 per hour in high-cost markets. The potential for extended summer counseling work can add between $5,000 to $15,000 to these earnings. The hourly rates school counselors receive often vary depending on their employers; public school districts, private schools, and post-secondary institutions can offer different compensation structures influenced by factors like funding and student ratios. While some may choose positions with lower hourly rates for benefits like health insurance, others pursue higher pay without such perks. Negotiating pay can hinge on emphasizing experience and specialization, especially within K-12 systems in Rochester, where the demand for counselors has increased due to recent mental health funding initiatives.
More salary data for Rochester, NY:
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 Rochester. 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