School Counselor Hourly Pay in Delaware, OH: $28.96 (2026)
Quick Answer:Hourly pay for a school counselor working in Delaware, OH runs $28.96 at the median for 2026 — annualizing to $60,233 at a standard 2,080-hour year. Figures projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 21-1012). Weighted against Delaware's regional price level (BEA RPP 90.7, 9% below national), each hour of work buys what $31.93 nationally would. A 24-hour part-time schedule grosses $36,144 per year.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
In 2026, school counselors in Delaware, OH, are projected to earn a median hourly rate of $28.96, which falls below the national median of $30.93. This difference indicates that those considering part-time positions, such as working three days a week, may need to balance their schedules carefully to ensure their finances align with living costs. Hourly rates in the field range from $20.67 for entry-level positions to $44.63 for top earners, translating to versatile roles in different educational settings. School counselors frequently operate in environments such as elementary classrooms, middle school group counseling sessions, high school individual meetings, and counseling resource rooms in colleges, where pay can vary widely based on institution type and employer. As these figures derive from annual data, potential school counselors can gain insight into per diem arrangements or temporary gigs that might be increasingly appealing in light of current job market dynamics.
About the Delaware Market
Salary estimated from Ohio average ($64,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
School Counselor Hourly Wage Breakdown
| Percentile | Hourly Rate | Per 8hr Shift |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $20.67 | $165.32 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $24.17 | $193.32 |
| Median (P50) | $28.96 | $231.69 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $36.28 | $290.23 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $44.63 | $357.01 |
Estimated Annual Income by Work Schedule in Delaware
Based on $28.96/hr median hourly rate · 2026 est.
At $28.96/hr, a school counselor working full-time (40 hr/wk) in Delaware, OH can expect to earn approximately $60,241 per year (2026 est.). Part-time hygienists working 24 hours per week would earn around $34,754. With a cost-of-living index of 90.70 (below the national average), these earnings stretch further in Delaware.
Hourly Rate Calculator
Schedule Comparison in Delaware
| Schedule | Weekly | Monthly | Annual |
|---|---|---|---|
| Full-Time (40 hrs) | $1,158.47 | $5,020 | $60,241 |
| Part-Time (24 hrs) | $695.08 | $3,012 | $36,144 |
| Per Diem (16 hrs) | $463.39 | $2,008 | $24,096 |
Compare SC, LSC Wages With Similar Roles
| Role | Median Hourly |
|---|---|
| School Counselor (Delaware) | $28.96 |
| 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 Delaware, OH earn a median of $60,233 per year (2026 est.), which is 6.38% lower than the national median of $64,335 and 1.20% below the Ohio state average of $60,965.
School Counselor Hourly Pay vs. Cost of Living
Working 24h/week at $28.96/hr = $36,144/year (purchasing power: $39,850).
Working 40h/week (full-time) = $60,241/year (purchasing power: $66,417).
CoL index: 90.7 (100 = national average). Your dollars stretch further here.
2019 BLS Actual
$25.16/hr
2025 BLS Actual
$28.38/hr
2026 Current Est.
$28.96/hr
2019–2027 Growth
+17.5%
Hourly Rate Trajectory for School Counselors in Delaware (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 2.05% projection.
| Year | Hourly Rate | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $25.16/hr | Actual |
| 2020 | $25.64/hr | Actual |
| 2021 | $26.69/hr | Actual |
| 2022 | $26.53/hr | Actual |
| 2023 | $27.22/hr | Actual |
| 2024 | $27.56/hr | Actual |
| 2025 | $28.38/hr | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $28.96/hr | Estimated |
| 2027 | $29.56/hr | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, the median hourly rate for school counselors in Delaware grew 12.8% from $25.16/hr (2019) to $28.38/hr (2025). At a 2.05% projected growth rate, hourly pay is expected to reach $29.56/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 Delaware 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 Delaware
For those working part-time as school counselors, the financial landscape can shift significantly. A counselor working a typical three-day week, amounting to around 24 hours, can expect to bring home approximately $37,569 annually in comparison to full-time colleagues. Per diem opportunities can also prove lucrative; private college counselors in high-cost markets often charge between $150 and $400 an hour for consulting, highlighting the disparity in pay across sectors. Additionally, roles can differ considerably by employer type, with K-12 public schools, charter institutions, private schools, and even DoDEA schools offering varying compensation structures. While some might opt for lower hourly rates in exchange for health benefits, others are drawn to higher pay without the security of benefit packages. Negotiating hourly pay becomes crucial in Delaware, especially for those seeking stability amidst fluctuating funding and the national trend of increasing counselor roles fostered by mental health initiatives post-COVID.
More salary data for Delaware, OH:
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the hourly rate for school counselors in Delaware in 2026?
How much do part-time school counselors make in Delaware?
Are school counselors in Delaware paid hourly or salary?
How much does a full-time school counselor make per year in Delaware?
Do school counselors earn more per hour working part-time in Delaware?
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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 Delaware. Part-time and full-time income estimates assume consistent weekly hours and do not account for overtime, benefits, or seasonal variation.
Data Sources & Methodology
Salary data for Delaware is estimated from official BLS state-level occupational wage data (2025), adjusted for regional cost-of-living differences using BEA RPP (Regional Price Parities).
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