School Counselor Hourly Pay in Westminster, CO: $30.29 (2026)
Quick Answer:Hourly pay for a school counselor working in Westminster, CO runs $30.29 at the median for 2026 — annualizing to $62,996 at a standard 2,080-hour year. Figures projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 21-1012). Weighted against Westminster's regional price level (BEA RPP 105.0, 5% above national), each hour of work buys what $28.85 nationally would. A 24-hour part-time schedule grosses $37,800 per year.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
In Westminster, Colorado, the school counselor hourly pay stands at a median of $30.29, which is slightly below the national median hourly rate of $30.93. For professionals considering part-time roles, this equates to approximately $24,500 for a typical three-day workweek at 24 hours, often spent conducting classroom guidance lessons, facilitating small group sessions in middle schools, or providing individual counseling in high school settings. The hourly rate range in Westminster spans from $21.75 at the entry level to around $46.94 for the most experienced counselors, offering flexible options for part-time and per-diem employment. These estimates are derived from annual salary projections and reflect the competitive pay landscape for counselors operating in various educational environments, including elementary, middle, and high schools.
About the Westminster Market
Salary estimated from Colorado average ($70,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
School Counselor Hourly Wage Breakdown
| Percentile | Hourly Rate | Per 8hr Shift |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $21.75 | $173.97 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $23.85 | $190.79 |
| Median (P50) | $30.29 | $242.31 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $38.77 | $310.15 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $46.94 | $375.54 |
Estimated Annual Income by Work Schedule in Westminster
Based on $30.29/hr median hourly rate · 2026 est.
At $30.29/hr, a school counselor working full-time (40 hr/wk) in Westminster, CO can expect to earn approximately $63,000 per year (2026 est.). Part-time hygienists working 24 hours per week would earn around $36,346. With a cost-of-living index of 105.00 (above the national average), these earnings may be offset by higher expenses in Westminster.
Hourly Rate Calculator
Schedule Comparison in Westminster
| Schedule | Weekly | Monthly | Annual |
|---|---|---|---|
| Full-Time (40 hrs) | $1,211.54 | $5,250 | $63,000 |
| Part-Time (24 hrs) | $726.92 | $3,150 | $37,800 |
| Per Diem (16 hrs) | $484.62 | $2,100 | $25,200 |
Compare SC, LSC Wages With Similar Roles
| Role | Median Hourly |
|---|---|
| School Counselor (Westminster) | $30.29 |
| 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 Westminster, CO earn a median of $62,996 per year (2026 est.), which is 2.08% lower than the national median of $64,335 and 0.60% above the Colorado state average of $62,621.
School Counselor Hourly Pay vs. Cost of Living
Working 24h/week at $30.29/hr = $37,800/year (purchasing power: $36,000).
Working 40h/week (full-time) = $63,000/year (purchasing power: $60,000).
CoL index: 105 (100 = national average).
2019 BLS Actual
$26.32/hr
2025 BLS Actual
$29.68/hr
2026 Current Est.
$30.29/hr
2019–2027 Growth
+17.5%
Hourly Rate Trajectory for School Counselors in Westminster (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 2.05% projection.
| Year | Hourly Rate | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $26.32/hr | Actual |
| 2020 | $26.81/hr | Actual |
| 2021 | $27.92/hr | Actual |
| 2022 | $27.75/hr | Actual |
| 2023 | $28.47/hr | Actual |
| 2024 | $35.53/hr | Actual |
| 2025 | $29.68/hr | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $30.29/hr | Estimated |
| 2027 | $30.91/hr | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, the median hourly rate for school counselors in Westminster grew 12.8% from $26.32/hr (2019) to $29.68/hr (2025). At a 2.05% projected growth rate, hourly pay is expected to reach $30.91/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 Westminster 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 Westminster
When considering part-time earning potential, a school counselor working 24 hours a week might take home around $49,596 annually, contrasted with full-time colleagues who typically earn higher due to full schedules. Per-diem opportunities can provide even more lucrative pay, with private college counselors charging rates between $150 and $400 per hour for specialized admissions consulting in high-cost-of-living markets like Westminster. The hourly rates also differ based on employer type, with public K-12 districts generally adhering to a step-and-lane pay structure similar to teachers, while charter, private, and post-secondary institutions might offer varied compensation. Counselors must weigh the benefits of hourly work against the financial security of full-time positions; opting for lower hourly rates often comes with health insurance and other benefits not available to higher-paid consultants. For those negotiating their rates, understanding local pay trends and typical employer benefits can provide vital leverage in discussions, especially as schools increase counselor hires in response to expanding mental health funding post-COVID.
More salary data for Westminster, CO:
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 Westminster. 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 Westminster 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