School Counselor Hourly Pay in La Crosse, WI: $29.21 (2026)
Quick Answer:Hourly pay for a school counselor working in La Crosse, WI runs $29.21 at the median for 2026 — annualizing to $60,735 at a standard 2,080-hour year. Figures projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 21-1012). Weighted against La Crosse's regional price level (BEA RPP 91.8, 8% below national), each hour of work buys what $31.83 nationally would. A 24-hour part-time schedule grosses $36,450 per year.
Official BLS data · View source
In La Crosse, Wisconsin, the school counselor hourly pay is projected to reach a median of $29.21 by 2026, which is slightly below the national median of $30.93. This hourly rate provides valuable earnings for part-time counselors, especially those working three days a week. In typical settings such as elementary classrooms, middle schools, and high school counseling offices, part-time counselors can expect a flexible work schedule while still making significant contributions to students' mental health and academic guidance. The hourly pay ranges from $22.48 for entry-level positions to $37.51 for those at the top of their field, showcasing a diverse earning potential depending on experience and specific work environments. This data stems from the latest available official Bureau of Labor Statistics information, reflecting the unique circumstances of the La Crosse area.
School Counselor Hourly Wage Breakdown
| Percentile | Hourly Rate | Per 8hr Shift |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $22.48 | $179.85 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $23.40 | $187.20 |
| Median (P50) | $29.21 | $233.65 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $34.16 | $273.25 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $37.51 | $300.11 |
Estimated Annual Income by Work Schedule in La Crosse
Based on $29.21/hr median hourly rate · 2026 est.
At $29.21/hr, a school counselor working full-time (40 hr/wk) in La Crosse, WI can expect to earn approximately $60,750 per year (2026 est.). Part-time hygienists working 24 hours per week would earn around $35,048. With a cost-of-living index of 91.77 (below the national average), these earnings stretch further in La Crosse.
Hourly Rate Calculator
Schedule Comparison in La Crosse
| Schedule | Weekly | Monthly | Annual |
|---|---|---|---|
| Full-Time (40 hrs) | $1,168.27 | $5,062 | $60,750 |
| Part-Time (24 hrs) | $700.96 | $3,037 | $36,450 |
| Per Diem (16 hrs) | $467.31 | $2,025 | $24,300 |
Compare SC, LSC Wages With Similar Roles
| Role | Median Hourly |
|---|---|
| School Counselor (La Crosse) | $29.21 |
| 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 La Crosse, WI earn a median of $60,735 per year (2026 est.), which is 5.60% lower than the national median of $64,335 and 1.70% below the Wisconsin state average of $61,785.
School Counselor Hourly Pay vs. Cost of Living
Working 24h/week at $29.21/hr = $36,450/year (purchasing power: $39,719).
Working 40h/week (full-time) = $60,750/year (purchasing power: $66,199).
CoL index: 91.769 (100 = national average). Your dollars stretch further here.
2019 BLS Actual
$20.05/hr
2025 BLS Actual
$28.62/hr
2026 Current Est.
$29.21/hr
2019–2027 Growth
+48.7%
Hourly Rate Trajectory for School Counselors in La Crosse (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 2.05% projection.
| Year | Hourly Rate | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $20.05/hr | Actual |
| 2020 | $21.32/hr | Actual |
| 2021 | $29.09/hr | Actual |
| 2022 | $26.19/hr | Actual |
| 2023 | $28.39/hr | Actual |
| 2024 | $29.71/hr | Actual |
| 2025 | $28.62/hr | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $29.21/hr | Estimated |
| 2027 | $29.81/hr | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, the median hourly rate for school counselors in La Crosse grew 42.7% from $20.05/hr (2019) to $28.62/hr (2025). At a 2.05% projected growth rate, hourly pay is expected to reach $29.81/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 La Crosse 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 La Crosse
For those considering part-time roles, a school counselor working 24 hours per week could take home just over $45,000 annually, significantly less than a full-time counterpart but still offering a respectable income. Per-diem options for school counselors in La Crosse can yield varying rates, as private college counselors often charge $150-$400 per hour for specialized services, particularly in higher-cost-of-living areas. Many choose to work in traditional K-12 settings due to the stability they offer, despite potentially lower hourly rates compared to alternative roles, where extended summer counseling can add $5,000 to $15,000 to a base salary. Given the hourly compensation discrepancies across different employer types—from public school districts to charter schools and DoDEA institutions—negotiating terms can be essential. Counselors should weigh the benefits of health insurance against the allure of higher pay without benefits. Effective negotiation strategies might include highlighting unique qualifications or advocating for additional responsibilities that justify a higher rate.
More salary data for La Crosse, 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 La Crosse. 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