School Counselor Hourly Pay in Fitchburg, WI: $29.52 (2026)
Quick Answer:Hourly pay for a school counselor working in Fitchburg, WI runs $29.52 at the median for 2026 — annualizing to $61,406 at a standard 2,080-hour year. Figures projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 21-1012). Weighted against Fitchburg's regional price level (BEA RPP 93.4, 7% below national), each hour of work buys what $31.61 nationally would. A 24-hour part-time schedule grosses $36,845 per year.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
In Fitchburg, Wisconsin, the calculated school counselor hourly pay for 2026 is $29.52, which positions it slightly below the national median of $30.93. This rate can influence the decisions of those considering part-time roles, such as working three days a week, as well as per-diem opportunities in various educational settings. For instance, school counselors are often found in elementary classroom guidance lessons, coordinating middle school small group counseling, or managing high school individual counseling offices. The hourly earnings range from $21.41 for entry-level positions to $45.76 for the top earners, reflecting the vital role these professionals play in addressing students' needs. While these figures are based on annual salary data projections, they provide valuable insights into potential earnings for school counselors in the area.
About the Fitchburg Market
Salary estimated from Wisconsin average ($64,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
School Counselor Hourly Wage Breakdown
| Percentile | Hourly Rate | Per 8hr Shift |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $21.41 | $171.28 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $23.75 | $189.98 |
| Median (P50) | $29.52 | $236.18 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $37.79 | $302.31 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $45.76 | $366.07 |
Estimated Annual Income by Work Schedule in Fitchburg
Based on $29.52/hr median hourly rate · 2026 est.
At $29.52/hr, a school counselor working full-time (40 hr/wk) in Fitchburg, WI can expect to earn approximately $61,408 per year (2026 est.). Part-time hygienists working 24 hours per week would earn around $35,428. With a cost-of-living index of 93.40 (below the national average), these earnings stretch further in Fitchburg.
Hourly Rate Calculator
Schedule Comparison in Fitchburg
| Schedule | Weekly | Monthly | Annual |
|---|---|---|---|
| Full-Time (40 hrs) | $1,180.92 | $5,117 | $61,408 |
| Part-Time (24 hrs) | $708.55 | $3,070 | $36,845 |
| Per Diem (16 hrs) | $472.37 | $2,047 | $24,563 |
Compare SC, LSC Wages With Similar Roles
| Role | Median Hourly |
|---|---|
| School Counselor (Fitchburg) | $29.52 |
| 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 Fitchburg, WI earn a median of $61,406 per year (2026 est.), which is 4.55% lower than the national median of $64,335 and 0.60% below the Wisconsin state average of $61,776.
School Counselor Hourly Pay vs. Cost of Living
Working 24h/week at $29.52/hr = $36,845/year (purchasing power: $39,448).
Working 40h/week (full-time) = $61,408/year (purchasing power: $65,747).
CoL index: 93.4 (100 = national average). Your dollars stretch further here.
2019 BLS Actual
$25.65/hr
2025 BLS Actual
$28.93/hr
2026 Current Est.
$29.52/hr
2019–2027 Growth
+17.5%
Hourly Rate Trajectory for School Counselors in Fitchburg (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 2.05% projection.
| Year | Hourly Rate | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $25.65/hr | Actual |
| 2020 | $26.14/hr | Actual |
| 2021 | $27.21/hr | Actual |
| 2022 | $27.05/hr | Actual |
| 2023 | $27.75/hr | Actual |
| 2024 | $28.57/hr | Actual |
| 2025 | $28.93/hr | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $29.52/hr | Estimated |
| 2027 | $30.13/hr | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, the median hourly rate for school counselors in Fitchburg grew 12.8% from $25.65/hr (2019) to $28.93/hr (2025). At a 2.05% projected growth rate, hourly pay is expected to reach $30.13/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 Fitchburg 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 Fitchburg
A part-time school counselor working three days a week might expect to take home a significantly lower amount annually compared to full-time counterparts. With the average of 24 hours worked per week, the annual income from this schedule would hover around $36,764, which can be quite limiting. For a per-diem school counselor, the earning reality varies drastically; while substitute roles may be scarce, private college counselors often charge between $150 and $400 per hour for direct-pay services, particularly in high-cost areas. In Fitchburg, the hourly rates can significantly differ by employer type, with K-12 public school districts offering more consistent structures compared to private or parochial schools. Many counselors may opt for lower hourly pay due to the benefits package provided by public schools, which can include health insurance. Effective negotiation tips for local hourly workers involve emphasizing unique qualifications and experience while also understanding the market trends dictated by the ASCA recommendations and recent mental health funding expansions in the wake of COVID-19.
More salary data for Fitchburg, WI:
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 Fitchburg. 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 Fitchburg 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