School Counselor Hourly Pay in Wauwatosa, WI: $28.16 (2026)
Quick Answer:Hourly pay for a school counselor working in Wauwatosa, WI runs $28.16 at the median for 2026 — annualizing to $58,554 at a standard 2,080-hour year. Figures projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 21-1012). Weighted against Wauwatosa's regional price level (BEA RPP 93.4, 7% below national), each hour of work buys what $30.15 nationally would. A 24-hour part-time schedule grosses $35,138 per year.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
In Wauwatosa, Wisconsin, the projected school counselor hourly pay for 2026 is $28.16, which is lower than the national median of $30.93. This discrepancy may impact part-time counselors who work typically three days a week, affecting their overall earnings, especially in settings like elementary schools conducting guidance lessons, mid-level institutions with small group counseling, and high schools offering one-on-one sessions. The hourly compensation ranges from $20.52 for entry-level positions to $43.64 for top earners. The variation in pay reflects the different demands placed on counselors as well as the role's responsibilities in crisis intervention, career advice, and academic support, all critical in maintaining current educational standards throughout the district.
About the Wauwatosa 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) | $20.52 | $164.18 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $22.73 | $181.81 |
| Median (P50) | $28.16 | $225.24 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $36.03 | $288.27 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $43.64 | $349.09 |
Estimated Annual Income by Work Schedule in Wauwatosa
Based on $28.16/hr median hourly rate · 2026 est.
At $28.16/hr, a school counselor working full-time (40 hr/wk) in Wauwatosa, WI can expect to earn approximately $58,564 per year (2026 est.). Part-time hygienists working 24 hours per week would earn around $33,787. With a cost-of-living index of 93.40 (below the national average), these earnings stretch further in Wauwatosa.
Hourly Rate Calculator
Schedule Comparison in Wauwatosa
| Schedule | Weekly | Monthly | Annual |
|---|---|---|---|
| Full-Time (40 hrs) | $1,126.22 | $4,880 | $58,564 |
| Part-Time (24 hrs) | $675.73 | $2,928 | $35,138 |
| Per Diem (16 hrs) | $450.49 | $1,952 | $23,425 |
Compare SC, LSC Wages With Similar Roles
| Role | Median Hourly |
|---|---|
| School Counselor (Wauwatosa) | $28.16 |
| 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 Wauwatosa, WI earn a median of $58,554 per year (2026 est.), which is 8.99% lower than the national median of $64,335 and 5.20% below the Wisconsin state average of $61,766.
School Counselor Hourly Pay vs. Cost of Living
Working 24h/week at $28.16/hr = $35,138/year (purchasing power: $37,621).
Working 40h/week (full-time) = $58,564/year (purchasing power: $62,702).
CoL index: 93.4 (100 = national average). Your dollars stretch further here.
2019 BLS Actual
$24.46/hr
2025 BLS Actual
$27.59/hr
2026 Current Est.
$28.16/hr
2019–2027 Growth
+17.5%
Hourly Rate Trajectory for School Counselors in Wauwatosa (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 2.05% projection.
| Year | Hourly Rate | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $24.46/hr | Actual |
| 2020 | $24.93/hr | Actual |
| 2021 | $25.95/hr | Actual |
| 2022 | $25.79/hr | Actual |
| 2023 | $26.47/hr | Actual |
| 2024 | $27.24/hr | Actual |
| 2025 | $27.59/hr | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $28.16/hr | Estimated |
| 2027 | $28.73/hr | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, the median hourly rate for school counselors in Wauwatosa grew 12.8% from $24.46/hr (2019) to $27.59/hr (2025). At a 2.05% projected growth rate, hourly pay is expected to reach $28.73/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 Wauwatosa 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 Wauwatosa
For part-time counselors in Wauwatosa, earning potential can be quite different compared to a full-time position. A school counselor working three days a week (approximately 24 hours) might take home about $35,000 annually, while full-time counterparts likely earn significantly more, thereby emphasizing the financial aspect of selecting between part-time and full-time work. Per diem school counselor pay in Wauwatosa can also fluctuate, with professionals offering private consultations charging between $150 to $400 per hour in high-cost living markets, presenting attractive alternatives for those willing to pursue private practice or consulting. Moreover, institutions like K-12 public schools, charter schools, and private educational facilities may offer varying compensation models, affecting overall stability and benefits. It’s essential to understand trade-offs when assessing hourly rates with benefits; some counselors may accept lower wages in exchange for health insurance coverage. Therefore, negotiating effective compensation, especially in this competitive sector shaped by increased mental health funding and staffing needs, becomes crucial for every school counselor working in Wauwatosa.
More salary data for Wauwatosa, WI:
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the hourly rate for school counselors in Wauwatosa in 2026?
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How much does a full-time school counselor make per year in Wauwatosa?
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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 Wauwatosa. 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 Wauwatosa 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