School Counselor Hourly Pay in Gardner, KS: $25.55 (2026)
Quick Answer:Hourly pay for a school counselor working in Gardner, KS runs $25.55 at the median for 2026 — annualizing to $53,147 at a standard 2,080-hour year. Figures projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 21-1012). Weighted against Gardner's regional price level (BEA RPP 90.9, 9% below national), each hour of work buys what $28.11 nationally would. A 24-hour part-time schedule grosses $31,891 per year.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
In Gardner, KS, the school counselor hourly pay is projected to be $25.55 in 2026, which is significantly lower than the national hourly median of $30.93. This rate sets the foundation for various employment scenarios, including part-time positions typical in educational settings, where counselors might work three days a week to support students through guidance lessons and small group counseling. With an hourly range extending from $19.62 at the entry level to $39.61 for the highest earners, professionals in Gardner can find opportunities in diverse environments such as elementary schools, middle schools, and high schools. It's essential to understand that these hourly figures are derived from annual salary estimates, reflecting the need for a pragmatic approach in this demanding and rewarding profession.
About the Gardner Market
Salary estimated from Kansas average ($60,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
School Counselor Hourly Wage Breakdown
| Percentile | Hourly Rate | Per 8hr Shift |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $19.62 | $156.99 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $21.25 | $169.97 |
| Median (P50) | $25.55 | $204.43 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $32.56 | $260.51 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $39.61 | $316.84 |
Estimated Annual Income by Work Schedule in Gardner
Based on $25.55/hr median hourly rate · 2026 est.
At $25.55/hr, a school counselor working full-time (40 hr/wk) in Gardner, KS can expect to earn approximately $53,151 per year (2026 est.). Part-time hygienists working 24 hours per week would earn around $30,664. With a cost-of-living index of 90.90 (below the national average), these earnings stretch further in Gardner.
Hourly Rate Calculator
Schedule Comparison in Gardner
| Schedule | Weekly | Monthly | Annual |
|---|---|---|---|
| Full-Time (40 hrs) | $1,022.13 | $4,429 | $53,151 |
| Part-Time (24 hrs) | $613.28 | $2,658 | $31,891 |
| Per Diem (16 hrs) | $408.85 | $1,772 | $21,260 |
Compare SC, LSC Wages With Similar Roles
| Role | Median Hourly |
|---|---|
| School Counselor (Gardner) | $25.55 |
| 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 Gardner, KS earn a median of $53,147 per year (2026 est.), which is 17.39% lower than the national median of $64,335 and 7.30% below the Kansas state average of $57,332.
School Counselor Hourly Pay vs. Cost of Living
Working 24h/week at $25.55/hr = $31,891/year (purchasing power: $35,083).
Working 40h/week (full-time) = $53,151/year (purchasing power: $58,472).
CoL index: 90.9 (100 = national average). Your dollars stretch further here.
2019 BLS Actual
$22.20/hr
2025 BLS Actual
$25.04/hr
2026 Current Est.
$25.55/hr
2019–2027 Growth
+17.5%
Hourly Rate Trajectory for School Counselors in Gardner (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 2.05% projection.
| Year | Hourly Rate | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $22.20/hr | Actual |
| 2020 | $22.62/hr | Actual |
| 2021 | $23.55/hr | Actual |
| 2022 | $23.41/hr | Actual |
| 2023 | $24.02/hr | Actual |
| 2024 | $24.32/hr | Actual |
| 2025 | $25.04/hr | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $25.55/hr | Estimated |
| 2027 | $26.08/hr | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, the median hourly rate for school counselors in Gardner grew 12.8% from $22.20/hr (2019) to $25.04/hr (2025). At a 2.05% projected growth rate, hourly pay is expected to reach $26.08/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 Gardner 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 Gardner
When considering the earning potential for part-time school counselors in Gardner, a three-day workweek translating to 24 hours can yield around $31,000 annually, far less than the full-time earning potential. The realities of per-diem school counselor pay in Gardner can vary widely, with private college consultants earning between $150-$400 per hour in high cost of living markets. School counselors employed in K-12 public sectors often experience variation in compensation based on the institution type—distinctions arise between public districts, charter schools, and private institutions, as well as from factors such as health insurance benefits. Some professionals may opt for a lower hourly pay rate that includes health insurance rather than seek higher pay without coverage. For those engaged in negotiations, understanding the local job market dynamics and the specific needs of employers can provide valuable leverage, making it advantageous to highlight counseling-specific skills and certification statuses, thereby enhancing prospects for favorable compensation in Gardner’s evolving educational landscape.
More salary data for Gardner, KS:
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 Gardner. 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 Gardner 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