School Counselor Hourly Pay in Burlington, VT: $30.26 (2026)
Quick Answer:Hourly pay for a school counselor working in Burlington, VT runs $30.26 at the median for 2026 — annualizing to $62,926 at a standard 2,080-hour year. Figures projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 21-1012). Weighted against Burlington's regional price level (BEA RPP 100.9, 1% above national), each hour of work buys what $29.97 nationally would. A 24-hour part-time schedule grosses $37,762 per year.
Official BLS data · View source
In Burlington, Vermont, the school counselor hourly pay stands at $30.26, slightly below the national hourly median of $30.93. This rate has important implications for part-time and per-diem professionals working in various educational settings, including elementary schools, middle schools, and high school counseling offices, as well as college resource rooms. For school counselors working three days a week, this translates to a flexible but stable income, allowing them to balance their professional responsibilities with personal commitments. Entry-level counselors can expect to earn around $24.79 per hour, while those at the top end of the scale may command as much as $48.26, reflecting the differences in experience, specialization, and the specific requirements of their roles. All figures originate from the official Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) data, providing a reliable foundation for understanding the salary landscape in this field.
School Counselor Hourly Wage Breakdown
| Percentile | Hourly Rate | Per 8hr Shift |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $24.79 | $198.30 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $25.85 | $206.79 |
| Median (P50) | $30.26 | $242.06 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $38.16 | $305.25 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $48.26 | $386.08 |
Estimated Annual Income by Work Schedule in Burlington
Based on $30.26/hr median hourly rate · 2026 est.
At $30.26/hr, a school counselor working full-time (40 hr/wk) in Burlington, VT can expect to earn approximately $62,936 per year (2026 est.). Part-time hygienists working 24 hours per week would earn around $36,309. With a cost-of-living index of 100.95 (above the national average), these earnings may be offset by higher expenses in Burlington.
Hourly Rate Calculator
Schedule Comparison in Burlington
| Schedule | Weekly | Monthly | Annual |
|---|---|---|---|
| Full-Time (40 hrs) | $1,210.31 | $5,245 | $62,936 |
| Part-Time (24 hrs) | $726.19 | $3,147 | $37,762 |
| Per Diem (16 hrs) | $484.13 | $2,098 | $25,175 |
Compare SC, LSC Wages With Similar Roles
| Role | Median Hourly |
|---|---|
| School Counselor (Burlington) | $30.26 |
| 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 Burlington, VT earn a median of $62,926 per year (2026 est.), which is 2.19% lower than the national median of $64,335 and 3.60% below the Vermont state average of $65,276.
School Counselor Hourly Pay vs. Cost of Living
Working 24h/week at $30.26/hr = $37,762/year (purchasing power: $37,407).
Working 40h/week (full-time) = $62,936/year (purchasing power: $62,345).
CoL index: 100.949 (100 = national average).
2019 BLS Actual
$20.93/hr
2025 BLS Actual
$29.65/hr
2026 Current Est.
$30.26/hr
2019–2027 Growth
+47.5%
Hourly Rate Trajectory for School Counselors in Burlington (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 2.05% projection.
| Year | Hourly Rate | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $20.93/hr | Actual |
| 2020 | $26.48/hr | Actual |
| 2021 | $28.87/hr | Actual |
| 2022 | $30.57/hr | Actual |
| 2023 | $27.80/hr | Actual |
| 2024 | $30.47/hr | Actual |
| 2025 | $29.65/hr | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $30.26/hr | Estimated |
| 2027 | $30.88/hr | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, the median hourly rate for school counselors in Burlington grew 41.7% from $20.93/hr (2019) to $29.65/hr (2025). At a 2.05% projected growth rate, hourly pay is expected to reach $30.88/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 Burlington 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 Burlington
For school counselors in Burlington, part-time positions can lead to substantial annual earnings while still allowing for work-life balance. A counselor working 24 hours per week could expect to take home around $37,000 annually, significantly less than their full-time counterparts but still adequate for many. Per diem school counselor pay in Burlington can dramatically vary, especially when considering the higher rates charged by private college counselors—who may bill $150-$400 per hour for specialized consulting. The salary structure also varies across different employment types, with K-12 public schools generally following a step-and-lane model similar to that of teachers, while charter and private institutions offer distinct compensation packages that may not include benefits. As mental health support funding has expanded post-COVID, many counselors might face decisions about accepting lower hourly rates in exchange for health benefits or choosing to work in less traditional settings for potentially higher pay. For those negotiating their rates, highlighting specialized skills or experience and staying informed on local salary benchmarks can make all the difference.
More salary data for Burlington, VT:
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 Burlington. 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