School Counselor Hourly Pay in Fargo, ND: $25.46 (2026)
Quick Answer:Hourly pay for a school counselor working in Fargo, ND runs $25.46 at the median for 2026 — annualizing to $52,965 at a standard 2,080-hour year. Figures projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 21-1012). Weighted against Fargo's regional price level (BEA RPP 90.9, 9% below national), each hour of work buys what $28.02 nationally would. A 24-hour part-time schedule grosses $31,776 per year.
Official BLS data · View source
In Fargo, North Dakota, school counselors earn a median hourly rate of $25.46, significantly lower than the national median of $30.93. This disparity means that many school counselors in the area might be more limited in their earning potential, especially those opting for part-time positions, which typically involve working three days a week in various educational settings. The hourly range for these counselors spans from $23.00 at the lower end to $41.98 for the most experienced professionals, reflecting a broad spectrum of experience and responsibility. This official BLS hourly data highlights the financial considerations faced by school counselors, whether they're providing classroom guidance in elementary schools, facilitating small group counseling in middle schools, or offering individualized support in high school settings.
School Counselor Hourly Wage Breakdown
| Percentile | Hourly Rate | Per 8hr Shift |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $23.00 | $184.02 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $23.92 | $191.36 |
| Median (P50) | $25.46 | $203.69 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $32.81 | $262.47 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $41.98 | $335.87 |
Estimated Annual Income by Work Schedule in Fargo
Based on $25.46/hr median hourly rate · 2026 est.
At $25.46/hr, a school counselor working full-time (40 hr/wk) in Fargo, ND can expect to earn approximately $52,960 per year (2026 est.). Part-time hygienists working 24 hours per week would earn around $30,554. With a cost-of-living index of 90.87 (below the national average), these earnings stretch further in Fargo.
Hourly Rate Calculator
Schedule Comparison in Fargo
| Schedule | Weekly | Monthly | Annual |
|---|---|---|---|
| Full-Time (40 hrs) | $1,018.46 | $4,413 | $52,960 |
| Part-Time (24 hrs) | $611.08 | $2,648 | $31,776 |
| Per Diem (16 hrs) | $407.38 | $1,765 | $21,184 |
Compare SC, LSC Wages With Similar Roles
| Role | Median Hourly |
|---|---|
| School Counselor (Fargo) | $25.46 |
| 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 Fargo, ND earn a median of $52,965 per year (2026 est.), which is 17.67% lower than the national median of $64,335 and 8.70% below the North Dakota state average of $58,012.
School Counselor Hourly Pay vs. Cost of Living
Working 24h/week at $25.46/hr = $31,776/year (purchasing power: $34,968).
Working 40h/week (full-time) = $52,960/year (purchasing power: $58,280).
CoL index: 90.871 (100 = national average). Your dollars stretch further here.
2019 BLS Actual
$27.48/hr
2025 BLS Actual
$24.95/hr
2026 Current Est.
$25.46/hr
2019–2027 Growth
+-5.4%
Hourly Rate Trajectory for School Counselors in Fargo (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 2.05% projection.
| Year | Hourly Rate | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $27.48/hr | Actual |
| 2020 | $26.67/hr | Actual |
| 2021 | $27.49/hr | Actual |
| 2022 | $27.91/hr | Actual |
| 2023 | $27.78/hr | Actual |
| 2024 | $27.38/hr | Actual |
| 2025 | $24.95/hr | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $25.46/hr | Estimated |
| 2027 | $25.98/hr | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, the median hourly rate for school counselors in Fargo grew -9.2% from $27.48/hr (2019) to $24.95/hr (2025). At a 2.05% projected growth rate, hourly pay is expected to reach $25.98/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 Fargo 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 Fargo
Part-time school counselors working a typical 24-hour week could expect to take home around $31,018 annually, providing a modest lifestyle in Fargo, though significantly less than a full-time counterpart. For those seeking flexibility, per diem roles in counseling work, especially in private college admissions, can yield much higher earnings, with rates ranging from $150 to $400 per hour depending on expertise and market demand. Additionally, summer counseling positions can augment a base salary by $5,000 to $15,000, offering an appealing option for those looking to earn additional income. Hourly rates can vary greatly based on the type of institution; K-12 public schools often adhere to a step-and-lane salary structure similar to teachers, while post-secondary roles may offer higher compensation without benefits. School counselors in Fargo should weigh the trade-offs between lower hourly rates with health benefits and higher hourly wages without such perks, ensuring they negotiate effectively for their specific needs.
More salary data for Fargo, ND:
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 Fargo. 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