School Counselor Hourly Pay in Akron, OH: $29.49 (2026)
Quick Answer:Hourly pay for a school counselor working in Akron, OH runs $29.49 at the median for 2026 — annualizing to $61,335 at a standard 2,080-hour year. Figures projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 21-1012). Weighted against Akron's regional price level (BEA RPP 93.4, 7% below national), each hour of work buys what $31.59 nationally would. A 24-hour part-time schedule grosses $36,807 per year.
Official BLS data · View source
In Akron, Ohio, the school counselor hourly pay reaches a median of $29.49, slightly trailing the national hourly median of $30.93. This pay structure supports various work arrangements, making it feasible for part-time counselors to engage in fulfilling roles across different educational settings. Whether it’s guiding elementary students through classroom lessons, facilitating small group sessions in middle schools, or providing individual counseling in high schools, counselors benefit from flexible scheduling. For entry-level positions, the hourly pay can start at around $21.76, while those at the higher end of the spectrum can earn up to $47.53. These figures, derived from estimates based on 2025 BLS OEWS data, illustrate the range of opportunities available to counselors in Akron.
School Counselor Hourly Wage Breakdown
| Percentile | Hourly Rate | Per 8hr Shift |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $21.76 | $174.06 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $23.41 | $187.28 |
| Median (P50) | $29.49 | $235.94 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $42.70 | $341.58 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $47.53 | $380.28 |
Estimated Annual Income by Work Schedule in Akron
Based on $29.49/hr median hourly rate · 2026 est.
At $29.49/hr, a school counselor working full-time (40 hr/wk) in Akron, OH can expect to earn approximately $61,344 per year (2026 est.). Part-time hygienists working 24 hours per week would earn around $35,391. With a cost-of-living index of 93.37 (below the national average), these earnings stretch further in Akron.
Hourly Rate Calculator
Schedule Comparison in Akron
| Schedule | Weekly | Monthly | Annual |
|---|---|---|---|
| Full-Time (40 hrs) | $1,179.70 | $5,112 | $61,344 |
| Part-Time (24 hrs) | $707.82 | $3,067 | $36,807 |
| Per Diem (16 hrs) | $471.88 | $2,045 | $24,538 |
Compare SC, LSC Wages With Similar Roles
| Role | Median Hourly |
|---|---|
| School Counselor (Akron) | $29.49 |
| 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 Akron, OH earn a median of $61,335 per year (2026 est.), which is 4.66% lower than the national median of $64,335 and 0.60% above the Ohio state average of $60,969.
School Counselor Hourly Pay vs. Cost of Living
Working 24h/week at $29.49/hr = $36,807/year (purchasing power: $39,420).
Working 40h/week (full-time) = $61,344/year (purchasing power: $65,700).
CoL index: 93.37 (100 = national average). Your dollars stretch further here.
2019 BLS Actual
$24.84/hr
2025 BLS Actual
$28.90/hr
2026 Current Est.
$29.49/hr
2019–2027 Growth
+21.2%
Hourly Rate Trajectory for School Counselors in Akron (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 2.05% projection.
| Year | Hourly Rate | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $24.84/hr | Actual |
| 2020 | $25.59/hr | Actual |
| 2021 | $24.03/hr | Actual |
| 2022 | $31.01/hr | Actual |
| 2023 | $28.71/hr | Actual |
| 2024 | $30.64/hr | Actual |
| 2025 | $28.90/hr | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $29.49/hr | Estimated |
| 2027 | $30.10/hr | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, the median hourly rate for school counselors in Akron grew 16.3% from $24.84/hr (2019) to $28.90/hr (2025). At a 2.05% projected growth rate, hourly pay is expected to reach $30.10/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 Akron 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 Akron
When considering part-time work, a school counselor operating three days a week could expect to take home about $36,602 annually, a sum that may not significantly reflect their full earning potential compared to full-time colleagues. Additionally, per-diem pay for school counselors can vary dramatically, as private college counselors charge between $150 to $400 per hour for specialized services, such as college admissions consulting. In Akron, salary rates can also differ depending on the employer type; K-12 public schools often follow the step-and-lane salary structure familiar to teachers, while charter schools and private institutions might offer distinctive pay regimes. Counselors may choose positions that offer lower hourly rates combined with comprehensive benefits, such as health insurance, to ensure financial security. For those negotiating hourly pay in Akron, highlighting relevant certifications, such as ASCA and CACREP accreditation, can enhance their bargaining power in a competitive job market focused on mental health after the COVID expansion.
More salary data for Akron, OH:
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 Akron. 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