School Counselor Hourly Pay in Branson, MO: $24.81 (2026)
Quick Answer:Hourly pay for a school counselor working in Branson, MO runs $24.81 at the median for 2026 — annualizing to $51,599 at a standard 2,080-hour year. Figures projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 21-1012). Weighted against Branson's regional price level (BEA RPP 89.6, 10% below national), each hour of work buys what $27.69 nationally would. A 24-hour part-time schedule grosses $30,961 per year.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
In 2026, school counselors in Branson, MO, command a median hourly rate of $24.81, which contrasts sharply with the national median of $30.93. This discrepancy suggests that those working part-time, such as in a typical three-day-a-week arrangement, may face tighter budgets. Given Branson's educational landscape, these counselors often engage in various activities, from elementary classroom guidance lessons to crisis response team coordination in high school. The hourly pay range varies significantly, starting from $19.03 for entry-level positions to $38.06 for top earners, reflecting the diverse responsibilities and experience levels among school counselors. Such hourly rates are derived from annual salary projections and are influenced by the specific requirements of K-12 settings and community demands.
About the Branson Market
Salary estimated from Missouri average ($60,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
School Counselor Hourly Wage Breakdown
| Percentile | Hourly Rate | Per 8hr Shift |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $19.03 | $152.26 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $20.69 | $165.48 |
| Median (P50) | $24.81 | $198.47 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $31.15 | $249.17 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $38.06 | $304.52 |
Estimated Annual Income by Work Schedule in Branson
Based on $24.81/hr median hourly rate · 2026 est.
At $24.81/hr, a school counselor working full-time (40 hr/wk) in Branson, MO can expect to earn approximately $51,601 per year (2026 est.). Part-time hygienists working 24 hours per week would earn around $29,770. With a cost-of-living index of 89.60 (below the national average), these earnings stretch further in Branson.
Hourly Rate Calculator
Schedule Comparison in Branson
| Schedule | Weekly | Monthly | Annual |
|---|---|---|---|
| Full-Time (40 hrs) | $992.33 | $4,300 | $51,601 |
| Part-Time (24 hrs) | $595.40 | $2,580 | $30,961 |
| Per Diem (16 hrs) | $396.93 | $1,720 | $20,641 |
Compare SC, LSC Wages With Similar Roles
| Role | Median Hourly |
|---|---|
| School Counselor (Branson) | $24.81 |
| 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 Branson, MO earn a median of $51,599 per year (2026 est.), which is 19.80% lower than the national median of $64,335 and 7.10% below the Missouri state average of $55,542.
School Counselor Hourly Pay vs. Cost of Living
Working 24h/week at $24.81/hr = $30,961/year (purchasing power: $34,554).
Working 40h/week (full-time) = $51,601/year (purchasing power: $57,591).
CoL index: 89.6 (100 = national average). Your dollars stretch further here.
2019 BLS Actual
$21.56/hr
2025 BLS Actual
$24.31/hr
2026 Current Est.
$24.81/hr
2019–2027 Growth
+17.5%
Hourly Rate Trajectory for School Counselors in Branson (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 2.05% projection.
| Year | Hourly Rate | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $21.56/hr | Actual |
| 2020 | $21.96/hr | Actual |
| 2021 | $22.87/hr | Actual |
| 2022 | $22.73/hr | Actual |
| 2023 | $23.32/hr | Actual |
| 2024 | $24.02/hr | Actual |
| 2025 | $24.31/hr | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $24.81/hr | Estimated |
| 2027 | $25.32/hr | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, the median hourly rate for school counselors in Branson grew 12.8% from $21.56/hr (2019) to $24.31/hr (2025). At a 2.05% projected growth rate, hourly pay is expected to reach $25.32/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 Branson 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 Branson
Part-time school counselors working 24 hours a week at this hourly rate would earn approximately $30,000 annually, a stark difference from a full-time counselor's potential earnings. Additionally, the per diem pay for counselors operating in private college settings can reach between $150 and $400 per hour in high-cost-of-living markets, presenting lucrative opportunities for those who can navigate that path. In Branson, hourly rates can fluctuate based on the type of employer—public school districts, charter schools, and private institutions each have unique pay scales influenced by factors like health benefits. This trade-off is significant; counselors may opt for positions with lower hourly rates in exchange for comprehensive health insurance coverage. For prospective counselors, negotiating an hourly rate requires an understanding of local pay structures and the benefits offered, ensuring they secure a position that aligns with both financial and personal priorities in the evolving educational environment.
More salary data for Branson, MO:
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 Branson. 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 Branson 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