School Counselor Hourly Pay in Garden City, MI: $27.06 (2026)
Quick Answer:Hourly pay for a school counselor working in Garden City, MI runs $27.06 at the median for 2026 — annualizing to $56,283 at a standard 2,080-hour year. Figures projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 21-1012). Weighted against Garden City's regional price level (BEA RPP 93.2, 7% below national), each hour of work buys what $29.04 nationally would. A 24-hour part-time schedule grosses $33,775 per year.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
In Garden City, MI, the school counselor hourly pay is projected to be $27.06 in 2026, which is below the national hourly median of $30.93. This hourly rate influences part-time and per-diem workers significantly. For school counselors working three days a week, the earnings reflect not just the school calendar schedule but also the diverse environments they serve—from elementary guidance lessons to high school counseling offices. The hourly earnings vary widely within the profession, ranging from $18.58 at the lower end to $41.94 for top earners in Garden City. With the rise of mental health awareness and funding post-COVID, these positions are becoming increasingly crucial, with established pay structures mirroring those for teachers. As benefits like health insurance are critical to many, the willingness to accept a lower hourly rate often contrasts with the appeal of higher per-diem opportunities in private practices or higher education settings that might pay considerably more.
About the Garden City 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) | $18.58 | $148.67 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $22.67 | $181.32 |
| Median (P50) | $27.06 | $216.51 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $34.64 | $277.09 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $41.94 | $335.54 |
Estimated Annual Income by Work Schedule in Garden City
Based on $27.06/hr median hourly rate · 2026 est.
At $27.06/hr, a school counselor working full-time (40 hr/wk) in Garden City, MI can expect to earn approximately $56,292 per year (2026 est.). Part-time hygienists working 24 hours per week would earn around $32,476. With a cost-of-living index of 93.20 (below the national average), these earnings stretch further in Garden City.
Hourly Rate Calculator
Schedule Comparison in Garden City
| Schedule | Weekly | Monthly | Annual |
|---|---|---|---|
| Full-Time (40 hrs) | $1,082.55 | $4,691 | $56,292 |
| Part-Time (24 hrs) | $649.53 | $2,815 | $33,775 |
| Per Diem (16 hrs) | $433.02 | $1,876 | $22,517 |
Compare SC, LSC Wages With Similar Roles
| Role | Median Hourly |
|---|---|
| School Counselor (Garden City) | $27.06 |
| 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 Garden City, MI earn a median of $56,283 per year (2026 est.), which is 12.52% lower than the national median of $64,335 and 2.80% below the Michigan state average of $57,904.
School Counselor Hourly Pay vs. Cost of Living
Working 24h/week at $27.06/hr = $33,775/year (purchasing power: $36,240).
Working 40h/week (full-time) = $56,292/year (purchasing power: $60,400).
CoL index: 93.2 (100 = national average). Your dollars stretch further here.
2019 BLS Actual
$23.51/hr
2025 BLS Actual
$26.52/hr
2026 Current Est.
$27.06/hr
2019–2027 Growth
+17.5%
Hourly Rate Trajectory for School Counselors in Garden City (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 2.05% projection.
| Year | Hourly Rate | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $23.51/hr | Actual |
| 2020 | $23.96/hr | Actual |
| 2021 | $24.95/hr | Actual |
| 2022 | $24.79/hr | Actual |
| 2023 | $25.44/hr | Actual |
| 2024 | $28.75/hr | Actual |
| 2025 | $26.52/hr | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $27.06/hr | Estimated |
| 2027 | $27.62/hr | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, the median hourly rate for school counselors in Garden City grew 12.8% from $23.51/hr (2019) to $26.52/hr (2025). At a 2.05% projected growth rate, hourly pay is expected to reach $27.62/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 Garden 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 Garden City
Compensation for part-time school counselors who work in Garden City at a three-day-a-week schedule totals around $34,171 annually, a stark difference compared to those in full-time positions, which reflect the median salary of $56,283. The per diem school counselor pay in Garden City varies, with private colleges paying between $150 and $400 per hour for specialized services, significantly outperforming the school district’s hourly compensation. Employment opportunities also differ across various sectors, including K-12 public schools, charters, and private institutions, with some counselors opting for jobs that offer health insurance at the expense of higher hourly rates. As counselors negotiate pay in this context, understanding the benefits and drawbacks of different employer types becomes essential. Potential employees should consider all aspects of their compensation package and be prepared to articulate their skills, especially in high-demand areas where ASCA recommendations back expanded staffing due to increased mental health service needs.
More salary data for Garden City, 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 Garden 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
Salary data for Garden City 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