School Counselor Hourly Pay in Upper Arlington, OH: $27.79 (2026)
Quick Answer:Hourly pay for a school counselor working in Upper Arlington, OH runs $27.79 at the median for 2026 — annualizing to $57,804 at a standard 2,080-hour year. Figures projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 21-1012). Weighted against Upper Arlington's regional price level (BEA RPP 90.7, 9% below national), each hour of work buys what $30.64 nationally would. A 24-hour part-time schedule grosses $34,680 per year.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
In Upper Arlington, OH, the projected school counselor hourly rate for 2026 stands at $27.79. This figure is notably lower than the national median of $30.93 per hour, indicating a competitive yet challenging compensation landscape for counselors in the area. For those considering part-time roles, like working three days a week, earnings can total around $1,199.52 before taxes, assuming a 24-hour weekly schedule. The pay scale for counselors varies significantly, with typical entry-level positions starting at approximately $20.22 per hour, while experienced professionals can earn up to $43.08 per hour, reflecting a broad spectrum of opportunities within elementary guidance lessons, middle school group counseling, high school support roles, and college advisory positions. Hourly figures are derived from annual estimates, providing a useful benchmark for potential job seekers in the field.
About the Upper Arlington 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) | $20.22 | $161.73 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $22.42 | $179.36 |
| Median (P50) | $27.79 | $222.31 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $35.57 | $284.60 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $43.08 | $344.60 |
Estimated Annual Income by Work Schedule in Upper Arlington
Based on $27.79/hr median hourly rate · 2026 est.
At $27.79/hr, a school counselor working full-time (40 hr/wk) in Upper Arlington, OH can expect to earn approximately $57,799 per year (2026 est.). Part-time hygienists working 24 hours per week would earn around $33,346. With a cost-of-living index of 90.70 (below the national average), these earnings stretch further in Upper Arlington.
Hourly Rate Calculator
Schedule Comparison in Upper Arlington
| Schedule | Weekly | Monthly | Annual |
|---|---|---|---|
| Full-Time (40 hrs) | $1,111.53 | $4,817 | $57,799 |
| Part-Time (24 hrs) | $666.92 | $2,890 | $34,680 |
| Per Diem (16 hrs) | $444.61 | $1,927 | $23,120 |
Compare SC, LSC Wages With Similar Roles
| Role | Median Hourly |
|---|---|
| School Counselor (Upper Arlington) | $27.79 |
| 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 Upper Arlington, OH earn a median of $57,804 per year (2026 est.), which is 10.15% lower than the national median of $64,335 and 5.20% below the Ohio state average of $60,975.
School Counselor Hourly Pay vs. Cost of Living
Working 24h/week at $27.79/hr = $34,680/year (purchasing power: $38,236).
Working 40h/week (full-time) = $57,799/year (purchasing power: $63,726).
CoL index: 90.7 (100 = national average). Your dollars stretch further here.
2019 BLS Actual
$24.14/hr
2025 BLS Actual
$27.23/hr
2026 Current Est.
$27.79/hr
2019–2027 Growth
+17.5%
Hourly Rate Trajectory for School Counselors in Upper Arlington (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 2.05% projection.
| Year | Hourly Rate | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $24.14/hr | Actual |
| 2020 | $24.60/hr | Actual |
| 2021 | $25.61/hr | Actual |
| 2022 | $25.46/hr | Actual |
| 2023 | $26.12/hr | Actual |
| 2024 | $26.45/hr | Actual |
| 2025 | $27.23/hr | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $27.79/hr | Estimated |
| 2027 | $28.36/hr | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, the median hourly rate for school counselors in Upper Arlington grew 12.8% from $24.14/hr (2019) to $27.23/hr (2025). At a 2.05% projected growth rate, hourly pay is expected to reach $28.36/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 Upper Arlington 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 Upper Arlington
Analyzing the part-time earning potential for a school counselor based in Upper Arlington reveals an interesting contrast with full-time roles. While a full-time counselor might secure a steady annual income, part-timers working 24 hours a week would realistically see about $62,000 annually, which can become less appealing compared to the full-time yield. For those interested in per-diem positions, the pay can vastly exceed local expectations; private college counselors may command between $150 and $400 per hour for specialized consulting work. This variability also extends across different types of employers, such as K-12 public and charter schools versus private institutions. While accepting a lower hourly pay might be common for school counselors who prioritize benefits like health insurance, others may seek higher short-term pay to offset this. When negotiating in Upper Arlington’s educational environment, it's vital to consider both financial needs and long-term career stability, especially in a space where mental health support is increasingly prioritized post-COVID.
More salary data for Upper Arlington, 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 Upper Arlington. 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 Upper Arlington 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