School Counselor Hourly Pay in Lima, OH: $28.76 (2026)
Quick Answer:Hourly pay for a school counselor working in Lima, OH runs $28.76 at the median for 2026 — annualizing to $59,795 at a standard 2,080-hour year. Figures projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 21-1012). Weighted against Lima's regional price level (BEA RPP 89.7, 10% below national), each hour of work buys what $32.07 nationally would. A 24-hour part-time schedule grosses $35,890 per year.
Official BLS data · View source
In Lima, Ohio, the projected median school counselor hourly pay stands at $28.76, which is slightly below the national median of $30.93. This hourly wage creates opportunities for both part-time and per-diem workers in settings such as elementary guidance lessons, middle school group counseling sessions, high school individual counseling offices, and crisis response coordination. The hourly range for school counselors in Lima extends from $18.68 for entry-level positions to $45.54 for experienced professionals. These figures are based on 2025 BLS OEWS data, projected to 2026, providing a reliable benchmark for those considering a career in this field.
School Counselor Hourly Wage Breakdown
| Percentile | Hourly Rate | Per 8hr Shift |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $18.68 | $149.40 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $22.46 | $179.69 |
| Median (P50) | $28.76 | $230.06 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $38.01 | $304.11 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $45.54 | $364.36 |
Estimated Annual Income by Work Schedule in Lima
Based on $28.76/hr median hourly rate · 2026 est.
At $28.76/hr, a school counselor working full-time (40 hr/wk) in Lima, OH can expect to earn approximately $59,816 per year (2026 est.). Part-time hygienists working 24 hours per week would earn around $34,509. With a cost-of-living index of 89.67 (below the national average), these earnings stretch further in Lima.
Hourly Rate Calculator
Schedule Comparison in Lima
| Schedule | Weekly | Monthly | Annual |
|---|---|---|---|
| Full-Time (40 hrs) | $1,150.31 | $4,985 | $59,816 |
| Part-Time (24 hrs) | $690.18 | $2,991 | $35,890 |
| Per Diem (16 hrs) | $460.12 | $1,994 | $23,926 |
Compare SC, LSC Wages With Similar Roles
| Role | Median Hourly |
|---|---|
| School Counselor (Lima) | $28.76 |
| 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 Lima, OH earn a median of $59,795 per year (2026 est.), which is 7.06% lower than the national median of $64,335 and 2.00% below the Ohio state average of $61,015.
School Counselor Hourly Pay vs. Cost of Living
Working 24h/week at $28.76/hr = $35,890/year (purchasing power: $40,025).
Working 40h/week (full-time) = $59,816/year (purchasing power: $66,708).
CoL index: 89.669 (100 = national average). Your dollars stretch further here.
2019 BLS Actual
$32.83/hr
2025 BLS Actual
$28.18/hr
2026 Current Est.
$28.76/hr
2019–2027 Growth
+-10.6%
Hourly Rate Trajectory for School Counselors in Lima (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 2.05% projection.
| Year | Hourly Rate | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $32.83/hr | Actual |
| 2020 | $27.78/hr | Actual |
| 2021 | $29.39/hr | Actual |
| 2022 | $31.63/hr | Actual |
| 2023 | $29.49/hr | Actual |
| 2024 | $32.66/hr | Actual |
| 2025 | $28.18/hr | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $28.76/hr | Estimated |
| 2027 | $29.35/hr | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, the median hourly rate for school counselors in Lima grew -14.2% from $32.83/hr (2019) to $28.18/hr (2025). At a 2.05% projected growth rate, hourly pay is expected to reach $29.35/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 Lima 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 Lima
Analyzing the financial outlook, a school counselor working 24 hours a week over three days can expect to take home significantly less annually than their full-time counterparts. For example, per-diem or agency roles offer a different pay structure, with some private college counselors charging between $150 and $400 per hour for direct consulting, presenting an alternative income opportunity in higher cost-of-living areas. In Lima, hourly rates may vary depending on the employer type, including K-12 public schools, charter networks, and private institutions. While some counselors opt for lower-paying positions with health benefits, others may prefer higher hourly wages without benefits. Counselors should also consider negotiating pay rates based on their respective districts, as the step-and-lane pay structure commonly used in K-12 can influence hourly compensation. Understanding these dynamics can guide prospective school counselors in making informed career and financial decisions.
More salary data for Lima, 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 Lima. 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