School Counselor Hourly Pay in Lakeland, FL: $28.04 (2026)
Quick Answer:Hourly pay for a school counselor working in Lakeland, FL runs $28.04 at the median for 2026 — annualizing to $58,326 at a standard 2,080-hour year. Figures projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 21-1012). Weighted against Lakeland's regional price level (BEA RPP 97.1, 3% below national), each hour of work buys what $28.87 nationally would. A 24-hour part-time schedule grosses $34,998 per year.
Official BLS data · View source
In Lakeland, Florida, the school counselor hourly pay stands at a median of $28.04, which falls below the national average of $30.93. This rate is significant for both full-time and part-time counselors operating within various educational environments, including elementary schools, middle schools, and high school counseling offices. For part-time professionals, often working just three days a week, they can expect compensation that aligns with the entry-level ranges, from $21.19 up to competitive salaries nearing the high-end of $35.25 for experience. Officials suggest that these hourly figures, based on 2025 BLS OEWS data, projected to 2026, reflect the diverse contexts where school counselors thrive, whether it involves classroom guidance, crisis response, or resource room activities.
School Counselor Hourly Wage Breakdown
| Percentile | Hourly Rate | Per 8hr Shift |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $21.19 | $169.48 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $23.01 | $184.10 |
| Median (P50) | $28.04 | $224.35 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $29.77 | $238.14 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $35.25 | $281.98 |
Estimated Annual Income by Work Schedule in Lakeland
Based on $28.04/hr median hourly rate · 2026 est.
At $28.04/hr, a school counselor working full-time (40 hr/wk) in Lakeland, FL can expect to earn approximately $58,330 per year (2026 est.). Part-time hygienists working 24 hours per week would earn around $33,652. With a cost-of-living index of 97.14 (below the national average), these earnings stretch further in Lakeland.
Hourly Rate Calculator
Schedule Comparison in Lakeland
| Schedule | Weekly | Monthly | Annual |
|---|---|---|---|
| Full-Time (40 hrs) | $1,121.73 | $4,861 | $58,330 |
| Part-Time (24 hrs) | $673.04 | $2,917 | $34,998 |
| Per Diem (16 hrs) | $448.69 | $1,944 | $23,332 |
Compare SC, LSC Wages With Similar Roles
| Role | Median Hourly |
|---|---|
| School Counselor (Lakeland) | $28.04 |
| 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 Lakeland, FL earn a median of $58,326 per year (2026 est.), which is 9.34% lower than the national median of $64,335 and 1.30% above the Florida state average of $57,577.
School Counselor Hourly Pay vs. Cost of Living
Working 24h/week at $28.04/hr = $34,998/year (purchasing power: $36,028).
Working 40h/week (full-time) = $58,330/year (purchasing power: $60,047).
CoL index: 97.141 (100 = national average). Your dollars stretch further here.
2019 BLS Actual
$23.45/hr
2025 BLS Actual
$27.48/hr
2026 Current Est.
$28.04/hr
2019–2027 Growth
+22.0%
Hourly Rate Trajectory for School Counselors in Lakeland (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 2.05% projection.
| Year | Hourly Rate | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $23.45/hr | Actual |
| 2020 | $23.56/hr | Actual |
| 2021 | $23.77/hr | Actual |
| 2022 | $21.26/hr | Actual |
| 2023 | $22.50/hr | Actual |
| 2024 | $23.60/hr | Actual |
| 2025 | $27.48/hr | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $28.04/hr | Estimated |
| 2027 | $28.62/hr | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, the median hourly rate for school counselors in Lakeland grew 17.2% from $23.45/hr (2019) to $27.48/hr (2025). At a 2.05% projected growth rate, hourly pay is expected to reach $28.62/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 Lakeland 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 Lakeland
For those considering part-time positions, a three-day work schedule, averaging 24 hours a week, results in a significantly different financial picture compared to full-time roles. This part-time income could range around $34,000 annually, considerably less than a full-timer's potential earnings. Additionally, the per diem school counselor pay in Lakeland can vary widely, with private college counselors in higher-cost locations charging from $150 to $400 per hour for specialized services. Demand for counseling extends beyond traditional roles, particularly in summer programs, which can yield additional income between $5,000 and $15,000. Compensation strategies differ among various employers in the region as well; K-12 public schools typically follow a structured step-and-lane pay scale, while charter and private schools might offer competitive rates but without the same benefits. This may entice some counselors to opt for flexible schedules and higher hourly wages with less job security, emphasizing a practical approach to negotiating pay in Lakeland's fluctuating job market.
More salary data for Lakeland, 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 Lakeland. Part-time and full-time income estimates assume consistent weekly hours and do not account for overtime, benefits, or seasonal variation.
Data Sources & Methodology
Source: BLS, OEWS, 7-year dataset (–). Per-city data from annual BLS metropolitan area surveys.
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