School Counselor Hourly Pay in Cleveland, OH: $29.64 (2026)
Quick Answer:Hourly pay for a school counselor working in Cleveland, OH runs $29.64 at the median for 2026 — annualizing to $61,626 at a standard 2,080-hour year. Figures projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 21-1012). Weighted against Cleveland's regional price level (BEA RPP 93.9, 6% below national), each hour of work buys what $31.55 nationally would. A 24-hour part-time schedule grosses $36,985 per year.
Official BLS data · View source
In Cleveland, Ohio, the school counselor hourly pay is projected to be $29.64 in 2026, a figure that falls slightly below the national hourly median of $30.93. This rate reflects the embedded support school counselors provide in various educational environments, including elementary classrooms, middle school group settings, high school individual counseling offices, and college counseling resource rooms. Part-time or per-diem counselors can find this hourly rate appealing, especially within Cleveland’s diverse educational landscape. The hourly pay range spans from $19.53 for entry-level positions to $48.74 for the highest earners, offering opportunities across different tiers of experience and responsibility.
School Counselor Hourly Wage Breakdown
| Percentile | Hourly Rate | Per 8hr Shift |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $19.53 | $156.26 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $23.07 | $184.59 |
| Median (P50) | $29.64 | $237.08 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $38.57 | $308.60 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $48.74 | $389.91 |
Estimated Annual Income by Work Schedule in Cleveland
Based on $29.64/hr median hourly rate · 2026 est.
At $29.64/hr, a school counselor working full-time (40 hr/wk) in Cleveland, OH can expect to earn approximately $61,641 per year (2026 est.). Part-time hygienists working 24 hours per week would earn around $35,562. With a cost-of-living index of 93.92 (below the national average), these earnings stretch further in Cleveland.
Hourly Rate Calculator
Schedule Comparison in Cleveland
| Schedule | Weekly | Monthly | Annual |
|---|---|---|---|
| Full-Time (40 hrs) | $1,185.41 | $5,137 | $61,641 |
| Part-Time (24 hrs) | $711.25 | $3,082 | $36,985 |
| Per Diem (16 hrs) | $474.17 | $2,055 | $24,657 |
Compare SC, LSC Wages With Similar Roles
| Role | Median Hourly |
|---|---|
| School Counselor (Cleveland) | $29.64 |
| 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 Cleveland, OH earn a median of $61,626 per year (2026 est.), which is 4.21% lower than the national median of $64,335 and 1.00% above the Ohio state average of $61,016.
School Counselor Hourly Pay vs. Cost of Living
Working 24h/week at $29.64/hr = $36,985/year (purchasing power: $39,378).
Working 40h/week (full-time) = $61,641/year (purchasing power: $65,630).
CoL index: 93.923 (100 = national average). Your dollars stretch further here.
2019 BLS Actual
$24.75/hr
2025 BLS Actual
$29.04/hr
2026 Current Est.
$29.64/hr
2019–2027 Growth
+22.2%
Hourly Rate Trajectory for School Counselors in Cleveland (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 2.05% projection.
| Year | Hourly Rate | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $24.75/hr | Actual |
| 2020 | $25.59/hr | Actual |
| 2021 | $29.74/hr | Actual |
| 2022 | $35.88/hr | Actual |
| 2023 | $32.13/hr | Actual |
| 2024 | $31.49/hr | Actual |
| 2025 | $29.04/hr | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $29.64/hr | Estimated |
| 2027 | $30.24/hr | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, the median hourly rate for school counselors in Cleveland grew 17.3% from $24.75/hr (2019) to $29.04/hr (2025). At a 2.05% projected growth rate, hourly pay is expected to reach $30.24/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 Cleveland 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 Cleveland
For those working part-time, such as a school counselor employed three days a week, the financial outcome can vary significantly compared to their full-time counterparts. A part-time counselor, working 24 hours a week, might take home an annual income considerably lower than what full-time professionals earn, particularly when considering benefits like health insurance. In this profession, per diem school counselor pay in Cleveland can be even more lucrative; freelance consultants in private college settings might charge between $150 and $400 per hour, making a stark contrast to school district hourly rates. The variety of employer types—including K-12 public, private, charter, and Department of Defense schools—means that hourly rates can differ based on the institution’s budget and operational structure. School counselors should understand this variability when negotiating pay; seeking compensation that balances hourly rates against potential benefits is crucial in achieving long-term career satisfaction while navigating Cleveland’s unique job market.
More salary data for Cleveland, 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 Cleveland. 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