School Counselor Pay

Detroit vs Macomb Township: School Counselor Salary (2026)

Compare school counselor salaries between Detroit, MI and Macomb Township, MI. All figures are 2026 estimates projected from BLS 2025 data.

Detroit, MI
$62,845
$30.22/hr
Macomb Township, MI
$57,616
$27.70/hr

Side-by-Side Comparison

MetricDetroit, MIMacomb Township, MI
Median Salary$62,845$57,616
Hourly Rate$30.22$27.70
Entry Level (P10)$43,894$38,711
25th Percentile$48,204$44,281
75th Percentile$78,157$73,656
Top Earner (P90)$98,129$89,305
Total Employed3,42021
Side-by-side bar chart comparing Detroit ($62,845) and Macomb Township ($57,616) school counselor salaries.DetroitMacomb TownshipMedian Salary$62,845$57,616Entry Level (P10)$43,894$38,711Top Earner (P90)$98,129$89,305US Median $64,335

Verdict

Detroit, MI offers better overall compensation for school counselors, winning 4 out of 4 metrics compared to Macomb Township.

The salary gap between Detroit and Macomb Township is $5,229 (9.08%). Detroit's median is -2.32% compared to the US national median of $64,335.

Salary Range Comparison

The full salary range (10th to 90th percentile) in Detroit spans $54,235,Macomb Township spans $50,594. Detroit has a wider pay range, meaning more potential for high earners but also more variation.

Detroit
P10 (Entry)$43,894
P25$48,204
Median$62,845
P75$78,157
P90 (Top)$98,129
Macomb Township
P10 (Entry)$38,711
P25$44,281
Median$57,616
P75$73,656
P90 (Top)$89,305

Cost-of-Living Adjusted Comparison

After cost-of-living adjustment, Detroit ($62,658 effective) pays 1.36% more than Macomb Township ($61,820 effective).

Detroit
Nominal: $62,845
CoL Index: 100.298
Adjusted: $62,658
Macomb Township
Nominal: $57,616
CoL Index: 93.2
Adjusted: $61,820

Cost-of-living adjustment: salary × (100 / CoL index). Index of 100 = national average.

Which City Is Right for You?

Choose Detroit if…

  • Higher median salary ($62,845/year)
  • Better top-earner potential ($98,129)
  • Larger job market (3,420 employed)
  • Better purchasing power (CoL-adjusted: $62,658)
  • You prefer the Michigan area and lifestyle

Choose Macomb Township if…

  • You prefer the Michigan area and lifestyle

Historical Salary Growth Comparison

Based on BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, school counselor salaries in Detroit grew 11.5% from 2019 to 2025, compared to -7.8% growth in Macomb Township over the same period.

Detroit, MI

+11.5%

$55,230 (2019) → $61,583 (2025)

Macomb Township, MI

+-7.8%

$61,216 (2024) → $56,459 (2025)

View Full Salary Data

Frequently Asked Questions

Which city pays school counselors more: Detroit or Macomb Township?

Detroit has a higher median school counselor salary at $62,845/year, compared to Macomb Township at $57,616/year — a difference of $5,229 (9.08%).

What is the hourly rate difference between Detroit and Macomb Township?

Detroit school counselors earn $30.22/hr while Macomb Township hygienists earn $27.70/hr (2026 est.).

Should I relocate from Detroit to Macomb Township as a school counselor?

Consider more than just salary when comparing Detroit and Macomb Township. Factor in cost of living (CoL-adjusted: Detroit = $62,658, Macomb Township = $61,820), job availability (3,420 vs 21 employed), commute, and career growth potential.

What do entry-level school counselors earn in Detroit vs Macomb Township?

Entry-level (10th percentile) school counselors earn $43,894 in Detroit and $38,711 in Macomb Township. The Detroit area offers higher starting salaries.

Related Comparisons

MG

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.

Clinically reviewed by James Patel, M.A.Data verified by Linda Chen, LPC

Methodology & Data Source

All salary figures are 2026 projections based on BLS OEWS May 2025 data. A 2.05% CAGR (derived from 6-year national BLS trends) was applied to estimate current compensation. Cost-of-living adjustments use BEA Regional Price Parity data. Actual salaries vary by employer, certifications, and experience.

Data Sources & Methodology

Source: BLS, OEWS , released .

Compiled and verified by Maria Gonzalez, M.Ed., a licensed school counselor with 10+ years of clinical experience. · View source data at BLS.gov