School Counselor Pay

Lansing vs Taylor: School Counselor Salary (2026)

Compare school counselor salaries between Lansing, MI and Taylor, MI. All figures are 2026 estimates projected from BLS 2025 data.

Lansing, MI
$68,286
$32.83/hr
Taylor, MI
$57,359
$27.57/hr

Side-by-Side Comparison

MetricLansing, MITaylor, MI
Median Salary$68,286$57,359
Hourly Rate$32.83$27.57
Entry Level (P10)$45,254$37,892
25th Percentile$48,394$47,215
75th Percentile$83,978$72,930
Top Earner (P90)$90,008$88,907
Total Employed98016
Side-by-side bar chart comparing Lansing ($68,286) and Taylor ($57,359) school counselor salaries.LansingTaylorMedian Salary$68,286$57,359Entry Level (P10)$45,254$37,892Top Earner (P90)$90,008$88,907US Median $64,335

Verdict

Lansing, MI offers better overall compensation for school counselors, winning 4 out of 4 metrics compared to Taylor.

The salary gap between Lansing and Taylor is $10,927 (19.05%). Lansing's median is +6.14% compared to the US national median of $64,335.

Salary Range Comparison

The full salary range (10th to 90th percentile) in Lansing spans $44,754,Taylor spans $51,015. Taylor has a wider pay range, suggesting more variation in pay between entry-level and experienced school counselors.

Lansing
P10 (Entry)$45,254
P25$48,394
Median$68,286
P75$83,978
P90 (Top)$90,008
Taylor
P10 (Entry)$37,892
P25$47,215
Median$57,359
P75$72,930
P90 (Top)$88,907

Cost-of-Living Adjusted Comparison

After cost-of-living adjustment, Lansing ($71,887 effective) pays 16.81% more than Taylor ($61,544 effective).

Lansing
Nominal: $68,286
CoL Index: 94.991
Adjusted: $71,887
Taylor
Nominal: $57,359
CoL Index: 93.2
Adjusted: $61,544

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

Which City Is Right for You?

Choose Lansing if…

  • Higher median salary ($68,286/year)
  • Better top-earner potential ($90,008)
  • Larger job market (980 employed)
  • Better purchasing power (CoL-adjusted: $71,887)
  • You prefer the Michigan area and lifestyle

Choose Taylor if…

  • You prefer the Michigan area and lifestyle

Historical Salary Growth Comparison

Based on BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, school counselor salaries in Lansing grew 9.3% from 2019 to 2025, compared to -7.8% growth in Taylor over the same period.

Lansing, MI

+9.3%

$61,210 (2019) → $66,914 (2025)

Taylor, MI

+-7.8%

$60,943 (2024) → $56,207 (2025)

View Full Salary Data

Frequently Asked Questions

Which city pays school counselors more: Lansing or Taylor?

Lansing has a higher median school counselor salary at $68,286/year, compared to Taylor at $57,359/year — a difference of $10,927 (19.05%).

What is the hourly rate difference between Lansing and Taylor?

Lansing school counselors earn $32.83/hr while Taylor hygienists earn $27.57/hr (2026 est.).

Should I relocate from Lansing to Taylor as a school counselor?

Consider more than just salary when comparing Lansing and Taylor. Factor in cost of living (CoL-adjusted: Lansing = $71,887, Taylor = $61,544), job availability (980 vs 16 employed), commute, and career growth potential.

What do entry-level school counselors earn in Lansing vs Taylor?

Entry-level (10th percentile) school counselors earn $45,254 in Lansing and $37,892 in Taylor. The Lansing 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