School Counselor Hourly Pay in Minot, ND: $33.84 (2026)
Quick Answer:Hourly pay for a school counselor working in Minot, ND runs $33.84 at the median for 2026 — annualizing to $70,396 at a standard 2,080-hour year. Figures projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 21-1012). Weighted against Minot's regional price level (BEA RPP 87.0, 13% below national), each hour of work buys what $38.88 nationally would. A 24-hour part-time schedule grosses $42,232 per year.
Official BLS data · View source
In Minot, North Dakota, the school counselor hourly pay stands at a median of $33.84, which is notably higher than the national hourly median of $30.93. This competitive hourly rate provides a solid foundation for both part-time and per-diem workers who engage in crucial roles across various educational settings, including elementary classrooms, middle school small group counseling, and high school individual counseling offices. With an hourly range spanning from $23.03 for entry-level positions to $38.16 for more experienced counselors, this data, based on 2025 BLS OEWS data projected to 2026, reflects the demand for qualified professionals in the Wake of heightened mental health needs in schools.
School Counselor Hourly Wage Breakdown
| Percentile | Hourly Rate | Per 8hr Shift |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $23.03 | $184.26 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $27.27 | $218.14 |
| Median (P50) | $33.84 | $270.72 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $38.16 | $305.25 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $38.16 | $305.25 |
Estimated Annual Income by Work Schedule in Minot
Based on $33.84/hr median hourly rate · 2026 est.
At $33.84/hr, a school counselor working full-time (40 hr/wk) in Minot, ND can expect to earn approximately $70,387 per year (2026 est.). Part-time hygienists working 24 hours per week would earn around $40,608. With a cost-of-living index of 87.03 (below the national average), these earnings stretch further in Minot.
Hourly Rate Calculator
Schedule Comparison in Minot
| Schedule | Weekly | Monthly | Annual |
|---|---|---|---|
| Full-Time (40 hrs) | $1,353.59 | $5,866 | $70,387 |
| Part-Time (24 hrs) | $812.15 | $3,519 | $42,232 |
| Per Diem (16 hrs) | $541.44 | $2,346 | $28,155 |
Compare SC, LSC Wages With Similar Roles
| Role | Median Hourly |
|---|---|
| School Counselor (Minot) | $33.84 |
| 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 Minot, ND earn a median of $70,396 per year (2026 est.), which is 9.42% higher than the national median of $64,335 and 21.40% above the North Dakota state average of $57,987.
School Counselor Hourly Pay vs. Cost of Living
Working 24h/week at $33.84/hr = $42,232/year (purchasing power: $48,527).
Working 40h/week (full-time) = $70,387/year (purchasing power: $80,878).
CoL index: 87.028 (100 = national average). Your dollars stretch further here.
2019 BLS Actual
$29.40/hr
2025 BLS Actual
$33.16/hr
2026 Current Est.
$33.84/hr
2019–2027 Growth
+17.5%
Hourly Rate Trajectory for School Counselors in Minot (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 2.05% projection.
| Year | Hourly Rate | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $29.40/hr | Actual |
| 2020 | $29.96/hr | Actual |
| 2021 | $31.19/hr | Actual |
| 2022 | $31.00/hr | Actual |
| 2023 | $31.81/hr | Actual |
| 2024 | $34.83/hr | Actual |
| 2025 | $33.16/hr | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $33.84/hr | Estimated |
| 2027 | $34.53/hr | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, the median hourly rate for school counselors in Minot grew 12.8% from $29.40/hr (2019) to $33.16/hr (2025). At a 2.05% projected growth rate, hourly pay is expected to reach $34.53/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 Minot 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 Minot
For those considering part-time work as school counselors, the financial implications are significant. A counselor working three days a week, around 24 hours, could earn approximately $42,384 annually, a figure that highlights the viability of part-time roles within the school system. In contrast, agencies in Minot offering per-diem school counselor pay typically charge much higher rates, often ranging from $150 to $400 per hour for private consultations, particularly in high-cost-of-living areas. Thus, while some may opt for traditional employment with the K-12 pay structure—which typically aligns with the step-and-lane salary system seen in teaching roles—others may pursue private or alternative counseling opportunities that offer flexibility and potentially higher pay, albeit with fewer benefits. It is crucial for counselors to negotiate effectively, especially considering the trade-offs between hourly rates and the security of health insurance often provided in full-time district positions.
More salary data for Minot, ND:
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the hourly rate for school counselors in Minot in 2026?
How much do part-time school counselors make in Minot?
Are school counselors in Minot paid hourly or salary?
How much does a full-time school counselor make per year in Minot?
Do school counselors earn more per hour working part-time in Minot?
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 Minot. 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, 2-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