School Counselor Hourly Pay in Bradenton, FL: $29.02 (2026)
Quick Answer:Hourly pay for a school counselor working in Bradenton, FL runs $29.02 at the median for 2026 — annualizing to $60,376 at a standard 2,080-hour year. Figures projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 21-1012). Weighted against Bradenton's regional price level (BEA RPP 100.8, 1% above national), each hour of work buys what $28.79 nationally would. A 24-hour part-time schedule grosses $36,221 per year.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
In 2026, the school counselor hourly pay in Bradenton, Florida is projected to be $29.02, which is slightly below the national median of $30.93. This rate offers viable earning potential for part-time counselors, who may work three days a week and focus on essential functions like classroom guidance and small group counseling in elementary and middle schools, as well as high school individual counseling. For those considering per-diem positions, the hourly rates can fluctuate, with entry-level pay starting at $20.60 and experienced professionals earning up to $44.99 per hour. Such figures create a wide range of opportunities for school counselors in varied educational settings. While anecdotal evidence suggests that many professionals balance multiple roles or private practice, the current estimates reflect the stabilization of hourly pay for school counselors in the public sector.
About the Bradenton Market
Salary estimated from Florida average ($60,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
School Counselor Hourly Wage Breakdown
| Percentile | Hourly Rate | Per 8hr Shift |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $20.60 | $164.83 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $22.50 | $180.02 |
| Median (P50) | $29.02 | $232.18 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $37.16 | $297.25 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $44.99 | $359.95 |
Estimated Annual Income by Work Schedule in Bradenton
Based on $29.02/hr median hourly rate · 2026 est.
At $29.02/hr, a school counselor working full-time (40 hr/wk) in Bradenton, FL can expect to earn approximately $60,368 per year (2026 est.). Part-time hygienists working 24 hours per week would earn around $34,828. With a cost-of-living index of 100.80 (above the national average), these earnings may be offset by higher expenses in Bradenton.
Hourly Rate Calculator
Schedule Comparison in Bradenton
| Schedule | Weekly | Monthly | Annual |
|---|---|---|---|
| Full-Time (40 hrs) | $1,160.92 | $5,031 | $60,368 |
| Part-Time (24 hrs) | $696.55 | $3,018 | $36,221 |
| Per Diem (16 hrs) | $464.37 | $2,012 | $24,147 |
Compare SC, LSC Wages With Similar Roles
| Role | Median Hourly |
|---|---|
| School Counselor (Bradenton) | $29.02 |
| 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 Bradenton, FL earn a median of $60,376 per year (2026 est.), which is 6.15% lower than the national median of $64,335 and 4.80% above the Florida state average of $57,611.
School Counselor Hourly Pay vs. Cost of Living
Working 24h/week at $29.02/hr = $36,221/year (purchasing power: $35,933).
Working 40h/week (full-time) = $60,368/year (purchasing power: $59,889).
CoL index: 100.8 (100 = national average).
2019 BLS Actual
$25.22/hr
2025 BLS Actual
$28.44/hr
2026 Current Est.
$29.02/hr
2019–2027 Growth
+17.5%
Hourly Rate Trajectory for School Counselors in Bradenton (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 2.05% projection.
| Year | Hourly Rate | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $25.22/hr | Actual |
| 2020 | $25.69/hr | Actual |
| 2021 | $26.75/hr | Actual |
| 2022 | $26.59/hr | Actual |
| 2023 | $27.28/hr | Actual |
| 2024 | $28.18/hr | Actual |
| 2025 | $28.44/hr | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $29.02/hr | Estimated |
| 2027 | $29.62/hr | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, the median hourly rate for school counselors in Bradenton grew 12.8% from $25.22/hr (2019) to $28.44/hr (2025). At a 2.05% projected growth rate, hourly pay is expected to reach $29.62/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 Bradenton 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 Bradenton
Shifting to a more analytic perspective, a school counselor in Bradenton who operates part-time, working a total of 24 hours a week, can expect to take home around $36,000 annually, a stark contrast to full-time teachers who benefit from a more structured salary model with potential benefits. The per diem school counselor pay in Bradenton can vary dramatically, especially for independent practice or consulting roles, where rates can soar to between $150 and $400 per hour in high-cost markets. Moreover, hourly compensation can differ based on the type of employer—public K-12 districts typically offer lower rates, while private institutions or specialized programs often provide higher pay with fewer benefits. Counselors must also consider the trade-offs between stable employment with benefits versus higher pay in private practice or consulting, which might lack health insurance or retirement options. When negotiating salary, emphasizing qualifications aligned with accreditation from organizations such as ASCA or CACREP could support better hourly rates in this region.
More salary data for Bradenton, FL:
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 Bradenton. 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 Bradenton 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