School Counselor Hourly Pay in Sun Prairie, WI: $28.85 (2026)
Quick Answer:Hourly pay for a school counselor working in Sun Prairie, WI runs $28.85 at the median for 2026 — annualizing to $60,016 at a standard 2,080-hour year. Figures projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 21-1012). Weighted against Sun Prairie's regional price level (BEA RPP 93.4, 7% below national), each hour of work buys what $30.89 nationally would. A 24-hour part-time schedule grosses $36,004 per year.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
In Sun Prairie, Wisconsin, the school counselor hourly pay stands at a median of $28.85, which is slightly lower than the national hourly median of $30.93. This difference in pay can impact part-time professionals who typically work three days a week. Depending on their workload in settings like elementary classroom guidance, middle school small group discussions, or high school individual counseling, these counselors can find varying pay scales while working hourly. The range for Sun Prairie counselors falls from $19.82 for entry-level positions to $44.73 for experienced practitioners. These figures are reflective estimates derived from annual salary data, providing a useful snapshot of the expected pay across different experience levels in the local area.
About the Sun Prairie 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) | $19.82 | $158.54 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $24.15 | $193.16 |
| Median (P50) | $28.85 | $230.80 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $36.93 | $295.46 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $44.73 | $357.83 |
Estimated Annual Income by Work Schedule in Sun Prairie
Based on $28.85/hr median hourly rate · 2026 est.
At $28.85/hr, a school counselor working full-time (40 hr/wk) in Sun Prairie, WI can expect to earn approximately $60,007 per year (2026 est.). Part-time hygienists working 24 hours per week would earn around $34,619. With a cost-of-living index of 93.40 (below the national average), these earnings stretch further in Sun Prairie.
Hourly Rate Calculator
Schedule Comparison in Sun Prairie
| Schedule | Weekly | Monthly | Annual |
|---|---|---|---|
| Full-Time (40 hrs) | $1,153.98 | $5,001 | $60,007 |
| Part-Time (24 hrs) | $692.39 | $3,000 | $36,004 |
| Per Diem (16 hrs) | $461.59 | $2,000 | $24,003 |
Compare SC, LSC Wages With Similar Roles
| Role | Median Hourly |
|---|---|
| School Counselor (Sun Prairie) | $28.85 |
| 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 Sun Prairie, WI earn a median of $60,016 per year (2026 est.), which is 6.71% lower than the national median of $64,335 and 2.80% below the Wisconsin state average of $61,744.
School Counselor Hourly Pay vs. Cost of Living
Working 24h/week at $28.85/hr = $36,004/year (purchasing power: $38,548).
Working 40h/week (full-time) = $60,007/year (purchasing power: $64,247).
CoL index: 93.4 (100 = national average). Your dollars stretch further here.
2019 BLS Actual
$25.07/hr
2025 BLS Actual
$28.27/hr
2026 Current Est.
$28.85/hr
2019–2027 Growth
+17.5%
Hourly Rate Trajectory for School Counselors in Sun Prairie (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 2.05% projection.
| Year | Hourly Rate | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $25.07/hr | Actual |
| 2020 | $25.54/hr | Actual |
| 2021 | $26.59/hr | Actual |
| 2022 | $26.43/hr | Actual |
| 2023 | $27.12/hr | Actual |
| 2024 | $27.92/hr | Actual |
| 2025 | $28.27/hr | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $28.85/hr | Estimated |
| 2027 | $29.44/hr | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, the median hourly rate for school counselors in Sun Prairie grew 12.8% from $25.07/hr (2019) to $28.27/hr (2025). At a 2.05% projected growth rate, hourly pay is expected to reach $29.44/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 Sun Prairie 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 Sun Prairie
For those interested in part-time positions, a school counselor working 24 hours a week would see significantly lower annual earnings compared to their full-time counterparts, totaling approximately $36,000. The reality for per-diem school counselor pay in Sun Prairie reveals a stark contrast, as substitute counselors are relatively rare and private college counselors may charge between $150 and $400 per hour for direct counseling services. Hourly compensation can also vary by employer type; K-12 public schools generally offer more stability, while charter institutions, private schools, and post-secondary roles may provide unique opportunities. Counselors often face a decision between accepting a lower hourly rate with benefits or pursuing higher pay without health coverage. Bargaining effectively on salary in Sun Prairie can be advantageous, particularly for those with specializations related to the increased demand for mental health services following post-COVID funding expansions. Negotiation should also consider the step-and-lane structures typical in education, as understanding these can lead to better compensation outcomes for school counselors operating in this environment.
More salary data for Sun Prairie, 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 Sun Prairie. 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 Sun Prairie 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