School Counselor Hourly Pay in Mankato, MN: $30.02 (2026)
Quick Answer:Hourly pay for a school counselor working in Mankato, MN runs $30.02 at the median for 2026 — annualizing to $62,445 at a standard 2,080-hour year. Figures projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 21-1012). Weighted against Mankato's regional price level (BEA RPP 91.0, 9% below national), each hour of work buys what $33.01 nationally would. A 24-hour part-time schedule grosses $37,469 per year.
Official BLS data · View source
In Mankato, Minnesota, the school counselor hourly pay is projected at $30.02 in 2026, which is slightly below the national median of $30.93. This rate offers potential flexibility for part-time workers, such as those engaging in three-day-a-week schedules, where they might take on approximately 24 hours of work, impacting their annual earnings significantly. Entry-level school counselors in Mankato start at around $22.44 per hour while more experienced professionals can earn up to $39.98 hourly. These figures highlight the range of compensation for counselors across various educational settings, including elementary school classrooms, middle school group counseling, high school offices, and even specialized roles in college admissions consulting.
School Counselor Hourly Wage Breakdown
| Percentile | Hourly Rate | Per 8hr Shift |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $22.44 | $179.53 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $22.45 | $179.61 |
| Median (P50) | $30.02 | $240.18 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $32.99 | $263.94 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $39.98 | $319.87 |
Estimated Annual Income by Work Schedule in Mankato
Based on $30.02/hr median hourly rate · 2026 est.
At $30.02/hr, a school counselor working full-time (40 hr/wk) in Mankato, MN can expect to earn approximately $62,448 per year (2026 est.). Part-time hygienists working 24 hours per week would earn around $36,028. With a cost-of-living index of 90.95 (below the national average), these earnings stretch further in Mankato.
Hourly Rate Calculator
Schedule Comparison in Mankato
| Schedule | Weekly | Monthly | Annual |
|---|---|---|---|
| Full-Time (40 hrs) | $1,200.92 | $5,204 | $62,448 |
| Part-Time (24 hrs) | $720.55 | $3,122 | $37,469 |
| Per Diem (16 hrs) | $480.37 | $2,082 | $24,979 |
Compare SC, LSC Wages With Similar Roles
| Role | Median Hourly |
|---|---|
| School Counselor (Mankato) | $30.02 |
| 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 Mankato, MN earn a median of $62,445 per year (2026 est.), which is 2.94% lower than the national median of $64,335 and 3.30% below the Minnesota state average of $64,576.
School Counselor Hourly Pay vs. Cost of Living
Working 24h/week at $30.02/hr = $37,469/year (purchasing power: $41,195).
Working 40h/week (full-time) = $62,448/year (purchasing power: $68,658).
CoL index: 90.955 (100 = national average). Your dollars stretch further here.
2019 BLS Actual
$23.34/hr
2025 BLS Actual
$29.42/hr
2026 Current Est.
$30.02/hr
2019–2027 Growth
+31.3%
Hourly Rate Trajectory for School Counselors in Mankato (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 2.05% projection.
| Year | Hourly Rate | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $23.34/hr | Actual |
| 2020 | $23.07/hr | Actual |
| 2021 | $23.48/hr | Actual |
| 2022 | $23.85/hr | Actual |
| 2023 | $25.09/hr | Actual |
| 2024 | $29.01/hr | Actual |
| 2025 | $29.42/hr | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $30.02/hr | Estimated |
| 2027 | $30.64/hr | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, the median hourly rate for school counselors in Mankato grew 26.0% from $23.34/hr (2019) to $29.42/hr (2025). At a 2.05% projected growth rate, hourly pay is expected to reach $30.64/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 Mankato 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 Mankato
Part-time positions for school counselors can yield different financial scenarios compared to full-time employment. For those working 24 hours per week, annual earnings would be around $37,296, significantly lower than what full-time staff might earn, underscoring the trade-off between hours worked and compensation. Per diem school counselor pay in Mankato varies, especially in private college settings where counselors may charge between $150 and $400 per hour for consulting. Some school districts, charter schools, and private institutions may offer lower hourly rates but provide benefits like health insurance, while others may lean towards higher pay without benefits. Counselors should consider all employer types in Mankato, including K-12 public schools and private institutions, when negotiating their pay. Understanding the local job market dynamics can empower school counselors to advocate for fair compensation, particularly in light of increased demand for mental health support post-COVID.
More salary data for Mankato, MN:
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 Mankato. 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