School Counselor Hourly Pay in Detroit, MI: $30.22 (2026)
Quick Answer:Hourly pay for a school counselor working in Detroit, MI runs $30.22 at the median for 2026 — annualizing to $62,845 at a standard 2,080-hour year. Figures projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 21-1012). Weighted against Detroit's regional price level (BEA RPP 100.3, 0% above national), each hour of work buys what $30.13 nationally would. A 24-hour part-time schedule grosses $37,711 per year.
Official BLS data · View source
In 2026, the median hourly pay for school counselors in Detroit, Michigan is projected to be $30.22, slightly below the national median of $30.93. This hourly rate reflects the compensation landscape for professionals engaged in various counseling settings, including elementary classroom guidance lessons, middle school small group interactions, and high school counseling offices. Part-time counselors, working three days a week, can expect to earn an hourly wage that ranges from $21.10 for entry-level positions to $47.18 for those at the top of the pay scale. Official BLS hourly data from 2025, projected to 2026, provides a detailed framework to understand how school counselor hourly pay in Detroit compares to other regions and suggests diverse potential earnings for both part-time and per-diem positions in the education sector.
School Counselor Hourly Wage Breakdown
| Percentile | Hourly Rate | Per 8hr Shift |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $21.10 | $168.83 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $23.18 | $185.40 |
| Median (P50) | $30.22 | $241.74 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $37.57 | $300.60 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $47.18 | $377.42 |
Estimated Annual Income by Work Schedule in Detroit
Based on $30.22/hr median hourly rate · 2026 est.
At $30.22/hr, a school counselor working full-time (40 hr/wk) in Detroit, MI can expect to earn approximately $62,851 per year (2026 est.). Part-time hygienists working 24 hours per week would earn around $36,260. With a cost-of-living index of 100.30 (above the national average), these earnings may be offset by higher expenses in Detroit.
Hourly Rate Calculator
Schedule Comparison in Detroit
| Schedule | Weekly | Monthly | Annual |
|---|---|---|---|
| Full-Time (40 hrs) | $1,208.68 | $5,238 | $62,851 |
| Part-Time (24 hrs) | $725.21 | $3,143 | $37,711 |
| Per Diem (16 hrs) | $483.47 | $2,095 | $25,141 |
Compare SC, LSC Wages With Similar Roles
| Role | Median Hourly |
|---|---|
| School Counselor (Detroit) | $30.22 |
| 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 Detroit, MI earn a median of $62,845 per year (2026 est.), which is 2.32% lower than the national median of $64,335 and 8.60% above the Michigan state average of $57,869.
School Counselor Hourly Pay vs. Cost of Living
Working 24h/week at $30.22/hr = $37,711/year (purchasing power: $37,599).
Working 40h/week (full-time) = $62,851/year (purchasing power: $62,665).
CoL index: 100.298 (100 = national average).
2019 BLS Actual
$26.56/hr
2025 BLS Actual
$29.61/hr
2026 Current Est.
$30.22/hr
2019–2027 Growth
+16.1%
Hourly Rate Trajectory for School Counselors in Detroit (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 2.05% projection.
| Year | Hourly Rate | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $26.56/hr | Actual |
| 2020 | $24.58/hr | Actual |
| 2021 | $24.03/hr | Actual |
| 2022 | $24.68/hr | Actual |
| 2023 | $28.60/hr | Actual |
| 2024 | $32.07/hr | Actual |
| 2025 | $29.61/hr | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $30.22/hr | Estimated |
| 2027 | $30.84/hr | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, the median hourly rate for school counselors in Detroit grew 11.5% from $26.56/hr (2019) to $29.61/hr (2025). At a 2.05% projected growth rate, hourly pay is expected to reach $30.84/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 Detroit 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 Detroit
For those considering part-time roles, working as a school counselor three days per week translates to approximately 24 hours or $37,302 per year. This figure contrasts sharply with full-time earnings, emphasizing the allure of maintaining a work-life balance while still earning a reasonable income. Per diem school counselor pay in Detroit varies dramatically; while K-12 counselors receive stable hours, per-diem college counselors can charge between $150 to $400 per hour in high-cost living markets. This distinction highlights the financial trade-offs counselors face, particularly when considering health benefits that come with full-time roles versus the higher pay that part-time or consulting positions may offer. Additionally, wages may differ across employer types—including public K-12 districts, charter schools, and private institutions—reflecting varying funding sources and administrative priorities within Detroit’s educational landscape. Counselors should approach negotiations thoughtfully, taking into account the advantages of consistent employment against the flexibility of per diem opportunities.
More salary data for Detroit, 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 Detroit. 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