School Counselor Hourly Pay in Sandusky, OH: $31.73 (2026)
Quick Answer:Hourly pay for a school counselor working in Sandusky, OH runs $31.73 at the median for 2026 — annualizing to $65,996 at a standard 2,080-hour year. Figures projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 21-1012). Weighted against Sandusky's regional price level (BEA RPP 89.3, 11% below national), each hour of work buys what $35.54 nationally would. A 24-hour part-time schedule grosses $39,596 per year.
Official BLS data · View source
In Sandusky, Ohio, a school counselor can expect to earn a median hourly pay of $31.73, which is slightly above the national median of $30.93. This rate presents a reasonable income for part-time workers, such as those who consult for three days a week, allowing them to balance personal commitments with their professional responsibilities in various education settings. School counselors typically operate in elementary schools giving guidance lessons, middle schools providing small group counseling, high schools managing individual counselor offices, or post-secondary institutions offering career guidance. The hourly wage ranges from $19.21 for entry-level positions to $48.89 for top earners, indicating a dynamic pay scale that reflects both experience and expertise in the field. This information is based on 2025 BLS OEWS data, projected to 2026.
School Counselor Hourly Wage Breakdown
| Percentile | Hourly Rate | Per 8hr Shift |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $19.21 | $153.65 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $23.04 | $184.34 |
| Median (P50) | $31.73 | $253.82 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $39.90 | $319.21 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $48.89 | $391.14 |
Estimated Annual Income by Work Schedule in Sandusky
Based on $31.73/hr median hourly rate · 2026 est.
At $31.73/hr, a school counselor working full-time (40 hr/wk) in Sandusky, OH can expect to earn approximately $65,993 per year (2026 est.). Part-time hygienists working 24 hours per week would earn around $38,073. With a cost-of-living index of 89.28 (below the national average), these earnings stretch further in Sandusky.
Hourly Rate Calculator
Schedule Comparison in Sandusky
| Schedule | Weekly | Monthly | Annual |
|---|---|---|---|
| Full-Time (40 hrs) | $1,269.09 | $5,499 | $65,993 |
| Part-Time (24 hrs) | $761.46 | $3,300 | $39,596 |
| Per Diem (16 hrs) | $507.64 | $2,200 | $26,397 |
Compare SC, LSC Wages With Similar Roles
| Role | Median Hourly |
|---|---|
| School Counselor (Sandusky) | $31.73 |
| 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 Sandusky, OH earn a median of $65,996 per year (2026 est.), which is 2.58% higher than the national median of $64,335 and 8.20% above the Ohio state average of $60,994.
School Counselor Hourly Pay vs. Cost of Living
Working 24h/week at $31.73/hr = $39,596/year (purchasing power: $44,350).
Working 40h/week (full-time) = $65,993/year (purchasing power: $73,916).
CoL index: 89.281 (100 = national average). Your dollars stretch further here.
2019 BLS Actual
$27.57/hr
2025 BLS Actual
$31.09/hr
2026 Current Est.
$31.73/hr
2019–2027 Growth
+17.5%
Hourly Rate Trajectory for School Counselors in Sandusky (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 2.05% projection.
| Year | Hourly Rate | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $27.57/hr | Actual |
| 2020 | $28.09/hr | Actual |
| 2021 | $29.24/hr | Actual |
| 2022 | $29.07/hr | Actual |
| 2023 | $29.82/hr | Actual |
| 2024 | $35.29/hr | Actual |
| 2025 | $31.09/hr | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $31.73/hr | Estimated |
| 2027 | $32.38/hr | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, the median hourly rate for school counselors in Sandusky grew 12.8% from $27.57/hr (2019) to $31.09/hr (2025). At a 2.05% projected growth rate, hourly pay is expected to reach $32.38/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 Sandusky 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 Sandusky
For part-time school counselors in Sandusky working 24 hours a week, the annual earnings can translate to approximately $39,800, while full-time counterparts have the ability to earn significantly higher, benefiting from structured salary schedules following the K-12 step-and-lane pay model. The reality of per-diem work presents another financial avenue, particularly in private sectors where college counselors might charge anywhere from $150 to $400 an hour, notably in higher cost-of-living markets. Moreover, roles at various educational institutions—from K-12 public schools to charter and private schools, and even exclusive agencies—may offer varying pay scales and benefits, such as health insurance versus higher hourly rates without benefits. Given recent expansions in mental health funding post-COVID, many counselors find themselves in negotiation situations where understanding both hourly compensation and available benefits can be crucial for long-term financial planning. It's advisable for counselors in Sandusky to research employer reputation and negotiate based on the total compensation package rather than just the hourly rate.
More salary data for Sandusky, 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 Sandusky. 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