School Counselor Hourly Pay in Michigan City, IN: $22.42 (2026)
Quick Answer:Hourly pay for a school counselor working in Michigan City, IN runs $22.42 at the median for 2026 — annualizing to $46,644 at a standard 2,080-hour year. Figures projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 21-1012). Weighted against Michigan City's regional price level (BEA RPP 91.7, 8% below national), each hour of work buys what $24.45 nationally would. A 24-hour part-time schedule grosses $27,981 per year.
Official BLS data · View source
For school counselors in Michigan City, the hourly pay is projected at $22.42 in 2026, substantially below the national median of $30.93 per hour. This rate reflects a job primarily located in elementary and high school settings, where part-time positions are common. A counselor working three days a week would earn approximately $1,073.04 per week based on a typical schedule of 24 hours, allowing flexibility that may appeal to those balancing personal commitments alongside their professional responsibilities. The hourly range spans from $17.65 for entry-level positions to $34.56 for experienced professionals, providing a pathway for growth within the educational system. State and district-specific considerations may influence these rates, as local budgets and funding for mental health initiatives are critical for overarching compensation structures in education.
School Counselor Hourly Wage Breakdown
| Percentile | Hourly Rate | Per 8hr Shift |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $17.65 | $141.24 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $21.25 | $169.97 |
| Median (P50) | $22.42 | $179.36 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $27.30 | $218.39 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $34.56 | $276.51 |
Estimated Annual Income by Work Schedule in Michigan City
Based on $22.42/hr median hourly rate · 2026 est.
At $22.42/hr, a school counselor working full-time (40 hr/wk) in Michigan City, IN can expect to earn approximately $46,634 per year (2026 est.). Part-time hygienists working 24 hours per week would earn around $26,904. With a cost-of-living index of 91.68 (below the national average), these earnings stretch further in Michigan City.
Hourly Rate Calculator
Schedule Comparison in Michigan City
| Schedule | Weekly | Monthly | Annual |
|---|---|---|---|
| Full-Time (40 hrs) | $896.82 | $3,886 | $46,634 |
| Part-Time (24 hrs) | $538.09 | $2,332 | $27,981 |
| Per Diem (16 hrs) | $358.73 | $1,554 | $18,654 |
Compare SC, LSC Wages With Similar Roles
| Role | Median Hourly |
|---|---|
| School Counselor (Michigan City) | $22.42 |
| 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 Michigan City, IN earn a median of $46,644 per year (2026 est.), which is 27.50% lower than the national median of $64,335 and 20.00% below the Indiana state average of $58,305.
School Counselor Hourly Pay vs. Cost of Living
Working 24h/week at $22.42/hr = $27,981/year (purchasing power: $30,519).
Working 40h/week (full-time) = $46,634/year (purchasing power: $50,865).
CoL index: 91.682 (100 = national average). Your dollars stretch further here.
2019 BLS Actual
$20.38/hr
2025 BLS Actual
$21.97/hr
2026 Current Est.
$22.42/hr
2019–2027 Growth
+12.3%
Hourly Rate Trajectory for School Counselors in Michigan City (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 2.05% projection.
| Year | Hourly Rate | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $20.38/hr | Actual |
| 2020 | $19.25/hr | Actual |
| 2021 | $22.26/hr | Actual |
| 2022 | $21.56/hr | Actual |
| 2023 | $21.93/hr | Actual |
| 2024 | $22.24/hr | Actual |
| 2025 | $21.97/hr | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $22.42/hr | Estimated |
| 2027 | $22.88/hr | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, the median hourly rate for school counselors in Michigan City grew 7.8% from $20.38/hr (2019) to $21.97/hr (2025). At a 2.05% projected growth rate, hourly pay is expected to reach $22.88/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 Michigan City 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 Michigan City
Focusing on part-time options, a school counselor working 24 hours a week would realize an annual income of around $55,896, highlighting significant earnings potential compared to what might be available in full-time roles. Contrarily, per diem school counselors in Michigan City may find higher pay opportunities if they identify consulting roles or summer counseling positions, which can add substantial earnings, ranging from $5,000 to $15,000 to their income. School counselors may work across various educational environments, including K-12 public districts, charter schools, and postsecondary institutions, where pay rates can greatly differ due to distinct funding models. While full-time roles frequently come with benefits like health insurance, those opting for higher hourly rates without benefits must weigh the trade-offs. Negotiation is crucial in securing competitive rates, particularly for part-time or contract positions where salary offers can vary based on the specific needs of the school or the hiring institution.
More salary data for Michigan City, IN:
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 Michigan City. 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