School Counselor Hourly Pay in Grand Forks, ND: $28.35 (2026)
Quick Answer:Hourly pay for a school counselor working in Grand Forks, ND runs $28.35 at the median for 2026 — annualizing to $58,966 at a standard 2,080-hour year. Figures projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 21-1012). Weighted against Grand Forks's regional price level (BEA RPP 86.7, 13% below national), each hour of work buys what $32.71 nationally would. A 24-hour part-time schedule grosses $35,380 per year.
Official BLS data · View source
In Grand Forks, North Dakota, school counselors earn a median hourly rate of $28.35, which is somewhat below the national median of $30.93 per hour. For professionals in this field, this rate impacts part-time roles significantly, as a school counselor working three days a week would earn substantially less than their full-time counterparts. Working in various settings, including elementary school guidance offices, middle school counseling groups, and high school individual support, counselors can find themselves with diverse responsibilities that justify their hourly rates. The hourly range here extends from approximately $22.67 at entry-level positions to about $37.73 for those in top-tier roles, reflecting the variation in experience and responsibilities within the school system. These estimates are grounded in 2025 BLS OEWS data, projected to 2026.
School Counselor Hourly Wage Breakdown
| Percentile | Hourly Rate | Per 8hr Shift |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $22.67 | $181.32 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $22.67 | $181.32 |
| Median (P50) | $28.35 | $226.80 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $28.46 | $227.69 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $37.73 | $301.82 |
Estimated Annual Income by Work Schedule in Grand Forks
Based on $28.35/hr median hourly rate · 2026 est.
At $28.35/hr, a school counselor working full-time (40 hr/wk) in Grand Forks, ND can expect to earn approximately $58,967 per year (2026 est.). Part-time hygienists working 24 hours per week would earn around $34,019. With a cost-of-living index of 86.66 (below the national average), these earnings stretch further in Grand Forks.
Hourly Rate Calculator
Schedule Comparison in Grand Forks
| Schedule | Weekly | Monthly | Annual |
|---|---|---|---|
| Full-Time (40 hrs) | $1,133.98 | $4,914 | $58,967 |
| Part-Time (24 hrs) | $680.39 | $2,948 | $35,380 |
| Per Diem (16 hrs) | $453.59 | $1,966 | $23,587 |
Compare SC, LSC Wages With Similar Roles
| Role | Median Hourly |
|---|---|
| School Counselor (Grand Forks) | $28.35 |
| 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 Grand Forks, ND earn a median of $58,966 per year (2026 est.), which is 8.35% lower than the national median of $64,335 and 1.70% above the North Dakota state average of $57,980.
School Counselor Hourly Pay vs. Cost of Living
Working 24h/week at $28.35/hr = $35,380/year (purchasing power: $40,825).
Working 40h/week (full-time) = $58,967/year (purchasing power: $68,042).
CoL index: 86.663 (100 = national average). Your dollars stretch further here.
2019 BLS Actual
$29.99/hr
2025 BLS Actual
$27.78/hr
2026 Current Est.
$28.35/hr
2019–2027 Growth
+-3.5%
Hourly Rate Trajectory for School Counselors in Grand Forks (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 2.05% projection.
| Year | Hourly Rate | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $29.99/hr | Actual |
| 2020 | $31.42/hr | Actual |
| 2021 | $29.57/hr | Actual |
| 2022 | $23.49/hr | Actual |
| 2023 | $25.25/hr | Actual |
| 2024 | $26.27/hr | Actual |
| 2025 | $27.78/hr | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $28.35/hr | Estimated |
| 2027 | $28.93/hr | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, the median hourly rate for school counselors in Grand Forks grew -7.4% from $29.99/hr (2019) to $27.78/hr (2025). At a 2.05% projected growth rate, hourly pay is expected to reach $28.93/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 Grand Forks 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 Grand Forks
Part-time school counselors in Grand Forks who work a typical schedule of 24 hours per week might take home significantly less annually than their full-time counterparts, limiting their earning potential compared to those in more stable, full-time positions. Furthermore, the opportunity to work as a per-diem school counselor offers a unique avenue for increased earnings, particularly in the context of local high-cost private college counseling, where hourly rates can soar to between $150 and $400. In Grand Forks, variations in hourly pay also emerge based on the type of employer, ranging from K-12 public school districts to private and charter schools, where compensation packages differ. While opting for positions with lower hourly rates may provide access to health benefits, those inclined to freelance or seek higher hourly wages without such perks need to consider their financial goals carefully. Counselors should be prepared to negotiate thoroughly, leveraging their specific skills and experiences during discussions, especially within the competitive context of mental health expansion and school counselor-to-student ratios prescribed by ASCA.
More salary data for Grand Forks, ND:
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the hourly rate for school counselors in Grand Forks in 2026?
How much do part-time school counselors make in Grand Forks?
Are school counselors in Grand Forks paid hourly or salary?
How much does a full-time school counselor make per year in Grand Forks?
Do school counselors earn more per hour working part-time in Grand Forks?
Related Pages
Compare Salaries
Career Resources
Nearby Cities in North Dakota
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 Grand Forks. 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