School Counselor Hourly Pay in Bloomington, MN: $30.51 (2026)
Quick Answer:Hourly pay for a school counselor working in Bloomington, MN runs $30.51 at the median for 2026 — annualizing to $63,461 at a standard 2,080-hour year. Figures projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 21-1012). Weighted against Bloomington's regional price level (BEA RPP 98.5, 1% below national), each hour of work buys what $30.98 nationally would. A 24-hour part-time schedule grosses $38,080 per year.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
In Bloomington, Minnesota, the projected median hourly rate for school counselors in 2026 is $30.51, which is slightly below the national median of $30.93. This rate reflects the important roles counselors play in educational settings, from conducting elementary classroom guidance lessons to facilitating high school individual counseling sessions. For part-time counselors working three days a week, this hourly pay translates into a reliable income stream, but it can vary widely based on experience and qualifications. Starting at $21.79 for entry-level positions, experienced counselors can earn as much as $47.29 per hour, illustrating the potential for growth in this field. These rates, derived from annual salary estimates, indicate the importance of understanding the market for school counselor hourly pay in Bloomington.
About the Bloomington Market
Salary estimated from Minnesota average ($70,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
School Counselor Hourly Wage Breakdown
| Percentile | Hourly Rate | Per 8hr Shift |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $21.79 | $174.30 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $23.77 | $190.14 |
| Median (P50) | $30.51 | $244.10 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $39.05 | $312.44 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $47.29 | $378.32 |
Estimated Annual Income by Work Schedule in Bloomington
Based on $30.51/hr median hourly rate · 2026 est.
At $30.51/hr, a school counselor working full-time (40 hr/wk) in Bloomington, MN can expect to earn approximately $63,467 per year (2026 est.). Part-time hygienists working 24 hours per week would earn around $36,616. With a cost-of-living index of 98.50 (below the national average), these earnings stretch further in Bloomington.
Hourly Rate Calculator
Schedule Comparison in Bloomington
| Schedule | Weekly | Monthly | Annual |
|---|---|---|---|
| Full-Time (40 hrs) | $1,220.52 | $5,289 | $63,467 |
| Part-Time (24 hrs) | $732.31 | $3,173 | $38,080 |
| Per Diem (16 hrs) | $488.21 | $2,116 | $25,387 |
Compare SC, LSC Wages With Similar Roles
| Role | Median Hourly |
|---|---|
| School Counselor (Bloomington) | $30.51 |
| 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 Bloomington, MN earn a median of $63,461 per year (2026 est.), which is 1.36% lower than the national median of $64,335 and 1.80% below the Minnesota state average of $64,624.
School Counselor Hourly Pay vs. Cost of Living
Working 24h/week at $30.51/hr = $38,080/year (purchasing power: $38,660).
Working 40h/week (full-time) = $63,467/year (purchasing power: $64,433).
CoL index: 98.5 (100 = national average). Your dollars stretch further here.
2019 BLS Actual
$26.51/hr
2025 BLS Actual
$29.90/hr
2026 Current Est.
$30.51/hr
2019–2027 Growth
+17.5%
Hourly Rate Trajectory for School Counselors in Bloomington (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 2.05% projection.
| Year | Hourly Rate | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $26.51/hr | Actual |
| 2020 | $27.01/hr | Actual |
| 2021 | $28.12/hr | Actual |
| 2022 | $27.95/hr | Actual |
| 2023 | $28.68/hr | Actual |
| 2024 | $32.24/hr | Actual |
| 2025 | $29.90/hr | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $30.51/hr | Estimated |
| 2027 | $31.14/hr | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, the median hourly rate for school counselors in Bloomington grew 12.8% from $26.51/hr (2019) to $29.90/hr (2025). At a 2.05% projected growth rate, hourly pay is expected to reach $31.14/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 Bloomington 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 Bloomington
Considering a part-time schedule, a school counselor working 24 hours a week in Bloomington might take home about $37,878 annually, compared to a full-time counterpart earning a more substantial salary. For those seeking flexibility, per diem school counselors often charge significantly more for short-term assignments, with rates ranging from $150 to $400 per hour in higher cost-of-living markets. School counselors in Bloomington can find varied earning opportunities depending on the employer type, such as K-12 public schools, private institutions, or post-secondary roles, each presenting different salary structures and benefits. Many professionals weigh the benefits of steady employment against the allure of higher hourly rates offered in agency or freelance positions, often opting for stability and healthcare benefits over the unpredictability of contract work. Practical negotiation tips include researching community pay scales and advocating for one’s value, particularly in the wake of increased mental health funding from the post-COVID era, which is aimed at enhancing student support services.
More salary data for Bloomington, MN:
Frequently Asked Questions
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Related Pages
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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 Bloomington. 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 Bloomington 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