School Counselor Hourly Pay in Joplin, MO: $24.54 (2026)
Quick Answer:Hourly pay for a school counselor working in Joplin, MO runs $24.54 at the median for 2026 — annualizing to $51,044 at a standard 2,080-hour year. Figures projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 21-1012). Weighted against Joplin's regional price level (BEA RPP 85.7, 14% below national), each hour of work buys what $28.63 nationally would. A 24-hour part-time schedule grosses $30,630 per year.
Official BLS data · View source
In Joplin, Missouri, the school counselor hourly pay is projected to reach $24.54 in 2026, which falls significantly below the national hourly median of $30.93. This local rate can have a distinct impact on part-time and per-diem roles within the educational community. For instance, a counselor working three days a week may focus on various activities, including guiding elementary school students, assisting middle schoolers in small group settings, or providing individualized support at the high school level. The hourly pay range in Joplin shows entry-level counselors earning approximately $19.29, while seasoned professionals can make up to $34.87. These figures, derived from the Bureau of Labor Statistics, reflect the realities of a profession that often sees compensation styles tied closely to district budgets and available funding.
School Counselor Hourly Wage Breakdown
| Percentile | Hourly Rate | Per 8hr Shift |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $19.29 | $154.30 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $22.53 | $180.26 |
| Median (P50) | $24.54 | $196.34 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $28.46 | $227.69 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $34.87 | $278.96 |
Estimated Annual Income by Work Schedule in Joplin
Based on $24.54/hr median hourly rate · 2026 est.
At $24.54/hr, a school counselor working full-time (40 hr/wk) in Joplin, MO can expect to earn approximately $51,049 per year (2026 est.). Part-time hygienists working 24 hours per week would earn around $29,452. With a cost-of-living index of 85.72 (below the national average), these earnings stretch further in Joplin.
Hourly Rate Calculator
Schedule Comparison in Joplin
| Schedule | Weekly | Monthly | Annual |
|---|---|---|---|
| Full-Time (40 hrs) | $981.72 | $4,254 | $51,049 |
| Part-Time (24 hrs) | $589.03 | $2,552 | $30,630 |
| Per Diem (16 hrs) | $392.69 | $1,702 | $20,420 |
Compare SC, LSC Wages With Similar Roles
| Role | Median Hourly |
|---|---|
| School Counselor (Joplin) | $24.54 |
| 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 Joplin, MO earn a median of $51,044 per year (2026 est.), which is 20.66% lower than the national median of $64,335 and 8.10% below the Missouri state average of $55,543.
School Counselor Hourly Pay vs. Cost of Living
Working 24h/week at $24.54/hr = $30,630/year (purchasing power: $35,733).
Working 40h/week (full-time) = $51,049/year (purchasing power: $59,555).
CoL index: 85.718 (100 = national average). Your dollars stretch further here.
2019 BLS Actual
$21.98/hr
2025 BLS Actual
$24.05/hr
2026 Current Est.
$24.54/hr
2019–2027 Growth
+13.9%
Hourly Rate Trajectory for School Counselors in Joplin (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 2.05% projection.
| Year | Hourly Rate | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $21.98/hr | Actual |
| 2020 | $21.56/hr | Actual |
| 2021 | $22.65/hr | Actual |
| 2022 | $23.25/hr | Actual |
| 2023 | $26.23/hr | Actual |
| 2024 | $28.09/hr | Actual |
| 2025 | $24.05/hr | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $24.54/hr | Estimated |
| 2027 | $25.05/hr | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, the median hourly rate for school counselors in Joplin grew 9.4% from $21.98/hr (2019) to $24.05/hr (2025). At a 2.05% projected growth rate, hourly pay is expected to reach $25.05/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 Joplin 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 Joplin
Earning potential can vary significantly for those in part-time positions. For a counselor working 24 hours per week, annual pay would hover around $30,000, a figure that highlights the challenges of relying solely on a part-time salary, especially when comparing to full-time opportunities. Per diem school counselor pay in Joplin is less common in K-12 settings, but agency-based roles or private college counseling can yield rates much higher, often between $150 and $400 per hour in higher-cost markets. Employment across different educational institutions also plays a role; K-12 public districts may offer lower compensation compared to private schools or post-secondary counseling positions, which may result in more favorable salaries. Benefits are a critical trade-off, as some counselors may prefer lower hourly rates in exchange for health coverage, which can stabilize financial planning. New graduates and experienced counselors alike should consider local negotiation strategies carefully, ensuring they understand the market and the compensation framework in Joplin to maximize their earnings effectively.
More salary data for Joplin, 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 Joplin. 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