School Counselor Hourly Pay in Dearborn, MI: $30.05 (2026)
Quick Answer:Hourly pay for a school counselor working in Dearborn, MI runs $30.05 at the median for 2026 — annualizing to $62,521 at a standard 2,080-hour year. Figures projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 21-1012). Weighted against Dearborn's regional price level (BEA RPP 93.2, 7% below national), each hour of work buys what $32.25 nationally would. A 24-hour part-time schedule grosses $37,507 per year.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
In Dearborn, Michigan, school counselors can expect a median hourly pay of $30.05, slightly below the national median of $30.93. For part-time workers, this translates to a manageable income when considering a 3-day workweek, often engaging in activities such as classroom guidance lessons, small group counseling, or individual sessions in high schools. Entry-level professionals may start at around $21.67, while experienced counselors can earn up to $46.59 hourly. This range reflects the variability in the profession, driven by the specific settings in which counselors work—be it K-12 public or private schools, or specialized college counseling programs. The figures derived from projected annual salaries point to a structured pay scale followed in most educational institutions, echoing the step-and-lane compensation model prevalent across the K-12 sector.
About the Dearborn Market
Salary estimated from Michigan average ($66,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
School Counselor Hourly Wage Breakdown
| Percentile | Hourly Rate | Per 8hr Shift |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $21.67 | $173.32 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $23.63 | $189.08 |
| Median (P50) | $30.05 | $240.43 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $38.47 | $307.78 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $46.59 | $372.69 |
Estimated Annual Income by Work Schedule in Dearborn
Based on $30.05/hr median hourly rate · 2026 est.
At $30.05/hr, a school counselor working full-time (40 hr/wk) in Dearborn, MI can expect to earn approximately $62,512 per year (2026 est.). Part-time hygienists working 24 hours per week would earn around $36,064. With a cost-of-living index of 93.20 (below the national average), these earnings stretch further in Dearborn.
Hourly Rate Calculator
Schedule Comparison in Dearborn
| Schedule | Weekly | Monthly | Annual |
|---|---|---|---|
| Full-Time (40 hrs) | $1,202.15 | $5,209 | $62,512 |
| Part-Time (24 hrs) | $721.29 | $3,126 | $37,507 |
| Per Diem (16 hrs) | $480.86 | $2,084 | $25,005 |
Compare SC, LSC Wages With Similar Roles
| Role | Median Hourly |
|---|---|
| School Counselor (Dearborn) | $30.05 |
| 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 Dearborn, MI earn a median of $62,521 per year (2026 est.), which is 2.82% lower than the national median of $64,335 and 8.00% above the Michigan state average of $57,890.
School Counselor Hourly Pay vs. Cost of Living
Working 24h/week at $30.05/hr = $37,507/year (purchasing power: $40,244).
Working 40h/week (full-time) = $62,512/year (purchasing power: $67,073).
CoL index: 93.2 (100 = national average). Your dollars stretch further here.
2019 BLS Actual
$26.11/hr
2025 BLS Actual
$29.45/hr
2026 Current Est.
$30.05/hr
2019–2027 Growth
+17.5%
Hourly Rate Trajectory for School Counselors in Dearborn (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 2.05% projection.
| Year | Hourly Rate | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $26.11/hr | Actual |
| 2020 | $26.61/hr | Actual |
| 2021 | $27.70/hr | Actual |
| 2022 | $27.53/hr | Actual |
| 2023 | $28.25/hr | Actual |
| 2024 | $29.71/hr | Actual |
| 2025 | $29.45/hr | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $30.05/hr | Estimated |
| 2027 | $30.67/hr | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, the median hourly rate for school counselors in Dearborn grew 12.8% from $26.11/hr (2019) to $29.45/hr (2025). At a 2.05% projected growth rate, hourly pay is expected to reach $30.67/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 Dearborn 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 Dearborn
When considering the financial implications of part-time work, a school counselor in Dearborn, maintaining a schedule of 24 hours over three days, could realistically earn about $37,245 annually. This figure starkly contrasts with a full-time position, highlighting the trade-off for those seeking better work-life balance yet missing out on full benefits. In the realm of per diem pay, private college counselors in higher-cost markets can command rates between $150 and $400 per hour, suggesting a lucrative alternative for skilled counselors willing to pivot from traditional school settings. Different employers in Dearborn offer varied compensation structures; public school districts typically pay less than prestigious private or charter schools. Many counselors find themselves weighing the need for health insurance against the potential for higher hourly rates without benefits. Effective negotiation skills can be vital in this context, particularly in a city like Dearborn where mental health awareness is growing following recent funding expansions.
More salary data for Dearborn, MI:
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 Dearborn. 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 Dearborn 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