School Counselor Hourly Pay in South Milwaukee, WI: $28.21 (2026)
Quick Answer:Hourly pay for a school counselor working in South Milwaukee, WI runs $28.21 at the median for 2026 — annualizing to $58,680 at a standard 2,080-hour year. Figures projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 21-1012). Weighted against South Milwaukee's regional price level (BEA RPP 93.4, 7% below national), each hour of work buys what $30.20 nationally would. A 24-hour part-time schedule grosses $35,202 per year.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
In 2026, school counselors in South Milwaukee, Wisconsin, can expect to earn an hourly median rate of $28.21, which falls short of the national median hourly pay of $30.93. This rate is reflective of the local value placed on counseling services within various educational settings, including elementary schools, middle and high schools, and post-secondary institutions. For those considering part-time roles or per-diem positions, such as providing guidance lessons or working in crisis response, the hourly pay can vary significantly. Entry-level counselors may begin at around $20.43 per hour, while more experienced counselors could earn as much as $43.73 per hour. These figures are derived from annual salary estimates, yet they provide a realistic picture of what to expect in the school counselor hourly pay in South Milwaukee compared to other regions in Wisconsin.
About the South Milwaukee 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) | $20.43 | $163.44 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $22.55 | $180.42 |
| Median (P50) | $28.21 | $225.65 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $34.50 | $276.02 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $43.73 | $349.83 |
Estimated Annual Income by Work Schedule in South Milwaukee
Based on $28.21/hr median hourly rate · 2026 est.
At $28.21/hr, a school counselor working full-time (40 hr/wk) in South Milwaukee, WI can expect to earn approximately $58,670 per year (2026 est.). Part-time hygienists working 24 hours per week would earn around $33,848. With a cost-of-living index of 93.40 (below the national average), these earnings stretch further in South Milwaukee.
Hourly Rate Calculator
Schedule Comparison in South Milwaukee
| Schedule | Weekly | Monthly | Annual |
|---|---|---|---|
| Full-Time (40 hrs) | $1,128.26 | $4,889 | $58,670 |
| Part-Time (24 hrs) | $676.96 | $2,933 | $35,202 |
| Per Diem (16 hrs) | $451.31 | $1,956 | $23,468 |
Compare SC, LSC Wages With Similar Roles
| Role | Median Hourly |
|---|---|
| School Counselor (South Milwaukee) | $28.21 |
| 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 South Milwaukee, WI earn a median of $58,680 per year (2026 est.), which is 8.79% lower than the national median of $64,335 and 5.00% below the Wisconsin state average of $61,768.
School Counselor Hourly Pay vs. Cost of Living
Working 24h/week at $28.21/hr = $35,202/year (purchasing power: $37,689).
Working 40h/week (full-time) = $58,670/year (purchasing power: $62,816).
CoL index: 93.4 (100 = national average). Your dollars stretch further here.
2019 BLS Actual
$24.51/hr
2025 BLS Actual
$27.64/hr
2026 Current Est.
$28.21/hr
2019–2027 Growth
+17.5%
Hourly Rate Trajectory for School Counselors in South Milwaukee (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 2.05% projection.
| Year | Hourly Rate | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $24.51/hr | Actual |
| 2020 | $24.97/hr | Actual |
| 2021 | $26.00/hr | Actual |
| 2022 | $25.84/hr | Actual |
| 2023 | $26.51/hr | Actual |
| 2024 | $27.30/hr | Actual |
| 2025 | $27.64/hr | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $28.21/hr | Estimated |
| 2027 | $28.78/hr | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, the median hourly rate for school counselors in South Milwaukee grew 12.8% from $24.51/hr (2019) to $27.64/hr (2025). At a 2.05% projected growth rate, hourly pay is expected to reach $28.78/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 South Milwaukee 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 South Milwaukee
Examining the financial dynamics for school counselors reveals compelling distinctions depending on employment status and employer type. A school counselor working three days a week—approximately 24 hours—could expect to earn around $35,000 annually, contrasting sharply with full-time colleagues. For those exploring per diem positions, where pay can reach between $150 and $400 per hour as private consultants, the earning potential is markedly higher, especially in markets with elevated living costs. Various educational contexts, from K-12 public schools to charter institutions and even international Department of Defense schools, influence hourly rates. School counselors may choose positions with lower pay but better benefits, such as health insurance, which is a crucial consideration given the profession’s growth following the mental health funding expansion in response to recent crises. For counselors interested in negotiating their hourly rate in South Milwaukee, understanding these variations and the step-and-lane pay structure typical in K-12 systems can be advantageous.
More salary data for South Milwaukee, WI:
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the hourly rate for school counselors in South Milwaukee in 2026?
How much do part-time school counselors make in South Milwaukee?
Are school counselors in South Milwaukee paid hourly or salary?
How much does a full-time school counselor make per year in South Milwaukee?
Do school counselors earn more per hour working part-time in South Milwaukee?
Related Pages
Compare Salaries
Career Resources
Nearby Cities in Wisconsin
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 South Milwaukee. 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 South Milwaukee 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