School Counselor Hourly Pay in Middleton, WI: $27.45 (2026)
Quick Answer:Hourly pay for a school counselor working in Middleton, WI runs $27.45 at the median for 2026 — annualizing to $57,105 at a standard 2,080-hour year. Figures projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 21-1012). Weighted against Middleton's regional price level (BEA RPP 93.4, 7% below national), each hour of work buys what $29.39 nationally would. A 24-hour part-time schedule grosses $34,259 per year.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
In Middleton, Wisconsin, school counselors are projected to earn a median hourly rate of $27.45 in 2026, which is notably lower than the national median of $30.93. This hourly pay structure allows for flexibility in work schedules, making it an appealing option for part-time professionals or those considering per-diem roles. Counselors working three days a week could find themselves navigating various environments, from guiding elementary classroom lessons to providing individual support in high school counseling offices. With an hourly range from $20.95 for entry-level positions up to $42.55 for those at the 90th percentile, the earnings reflect the demand for these positions given the increased focus on mental health in educational settings.
About the Middleton 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) | $20.95 | $167.61 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $22.73 | $181.81 |
| Median (P50) | $27.45 | $219.61 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $34.89 | $279.13 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $42.55 | $340.44 |
Estimated Annual Income by Work Schedule in Middleton
Based on $27.45/hr median hourly rate · 2026 est.
At $27.45/hr, a school counselor working full-time (40 hr/wk) in Middleton, WI can expect to earn approximately $57,099 per year (2026 est.). Part-time hygienists working 24 hours per week would earn around $32,942. With a cost-of-living index of 93.40 (below the national average), these earnings stretch further in Middleton.
Hourly Rate Calculator
Schedule Comparison in Middleton
| Schedule | Weekly | Monthly | Annual |
|---|---|---|---|
| Full-Time (40 hrs) | $1,098.06 | $4,758 | $57,099 |
| Part-Time (24 hrs) | $658.83 | $2,855 | $34,259 |
| Per Diem (16 hrs) | $439.22 | $1,903 | $22,840 |
Compare SC, LSC Wages With Similar Roles
| Role | Median Hourly |
|---|---|
| School Counselor (Middleton) | $27.45 |
| 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 Middleton, WI earn a median of $57,105 per year (2026 est.), which is 11.24% lower than the national median of $64,335 and 7.50% below the Wisconsin state average of $61,735.
School Counselor Hourly Pay vs. Cost of Living
Working 24h/week at $27.45/hr = $34,259/year (purchasing power: $36,680).
Working 40h/week (full-time) = $57,099/year (purchasing power: $61,134).
CoL index: 93.4 (100 = national average). Your dollars stretch further here.
2019 BLS Actual
$23.85/hr
2025 BLS Actual
$26.90/hr
2026 Current Est.
$27.45/hr
2019–2027 Growth
+17.5%
Hourly Rate Trajectory for School Counselors in Middleton (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 2.05% projection.
| Year | Hourly Rate | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $23.85/hr | Actual |
| 2020 | $24.30/hr | Actual |
| 2021 | $25.30/hr | Actual |
| 2022 | $25.15/hr | Actual |
| 2023 | $25.80/hr | Actual |
| 2024 | $26.57/hr | Actual |
| 2025 | $26.90/hr | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $27.45/hr | Estimated |
| 2027 | $28.01/hr | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, the median hourly rate for school counselors in Middleton grew 12.8% from $23.85/hr (2019) to $26.90/hr (2025). At a 2.05% projected growth rate, hourly pay is expected to reach $28.01/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 Middleton 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 Middleton
Part-time school counselors who work 24 hours a week might see a total annual income that contributes significantly to their overall financial picture, even if it doesn't match what full-time professionals earn. In the per-diem context, agency or locum counselors can significantly ramp up their earnings, charging between $150 to $400 per hour in high-cost locations for specialized services, such as college admissions consulting. Additionally, summer counseling roles can bolster earnings by an estimated $5,000 to $15,000, tapping into the increased demand for mental health support following the pandemic. The types of employers can also impact hourly pay; K-12 public schools generally offer a structured pay scale based on experience, while private institutions might provide varied compensation. For school counselors in Middleton, negotiating the balance between higher hourly rates and benefits like health insurance is crucial, particularly as the expanding mental health initiatives shape hiring practices.
More salary data for Middleton, 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 Middleton. 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 Middleton 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