School Counselor Hourly Pay in Royal Oak, MI: $27.49 (2026)
Quick Answer:Hourly pay for a school counselor working in Royal Oak, MI runs $27.49 at the median for 2026 — annualizing to $57,186 at a standard 2,080-hour year. Figures projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 21-1012). Weighted against Royal Oak's regional price level (BEA RPP 93.2, 7% below national), each hour of work buys what $29.50 nationally would. A 24-hour part-time schedule grosses $34,310 per year.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
In 2026, the school counselor hourly pay in Royal Oak, Michigan is projected to reach $27.49, which is notably lower than the national hourly median of $30.93. This discrepancy in pay highlights some of the challenges faced by counselors in the area, particularly for those working part-time or on a per-diem basis. For instance, a school counselor in a typical setting—such as an elementary classroom, middle school group counseling session, or high school office—is likely to earn between $20.31 and $42.62 per hour. This range reflects entry-level positions as well as the earnings of highly experienced professionals. The median and range are derived from an annual salary framework, providing insight into how counseling roles are compensated even at a more flexible part-time level.
About the Royal Oak 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) | $20.31 | $162.46 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $22.53 | $180.26 |
| Median (P50) | $27.49 | $219.94 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $35.19 | $281.49 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $42.62 | $340.93 |
Estimated Annual Income by Work Schedule in Royal Oak
Based on $27.49/hr median hourly rate · 2026 est.
At $27.49/hr, a school counselor working full-time (40 hr/wk) in Royal Oak, MI can expect to earn approximately $57,184 per year (2026 est.). Part-time hygienists working 24 hours per week would earn around $32,991. With a cost-of-living index of 93.20 (below the national average), these earnings stretch further in Royal Oak.
Hourly Rate Calculator
Schedule Comparison in Royal Oak
| Schedule | Weekly | Monthly | Annual |
|---|---|---|---|
| Full-Time (40 hrs) | $1,099.69 | $4,765 | $57,184 |
| Part-Time (24 hrs) | $659.81 | $2,859 | $34,310 |
| Per Diem (16 hrs) | $439.88 | $1,906 | $22,874 |
Compare SC, LSC Wages With Similar Roles
| Role | Median Hourly |
|---|---|
| School Counselor (Royal Oak) | $27.49 |
| 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 Royal Oak, MI earn a median of $57,186 per year (2026 est.), which is 11.11% lower than the national median of $64,335 and 1.20% below the Michigan state average of $57,880.
School Counselor Hourly Pay vs. Cost of Living
Working 24h/week at $27.49/hr = $34,310/year (purchasing power: $36,814).
Working 40h/week (full-time) = $57,184/year (purchasing power: $61,356).
CoL index: 93.2 (100 = national average). Your dollars stretch further here.
2019 BLS Actual
$23.89/hr
2025 BLS Actual
$26.94/hr
2026 Current Est.
$27.49/hr
2019–2027 Growth
+17.5%
Hourly Rate Trajectory for School Counselors in Royal Oak (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 2.05% projection.
| Year | Hourly Rate | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $23.89/hr | Actual |
| 2020 | $24.34/hr | Actual |
| 2021 | $25.34/hr | Actual |
| 2022 | $25.19/hr | Actual |
| 2023 | $25.84/hr | Actual |
| 2024 | $29.21/hr | Actual |
| 2025 | $26.94/hr | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $27.49/hr | Estimated |
| 2027 | $28.06/hr | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, the median hourly rate for school counselors in Royal Oak grew 12.8% from $23.89/hr (2019) to $26.94/hr (2025). At a 2.05% projected growth rate, hourly pay is expected to reach $28.06/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 Royal Oak 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 Royal Oak
Career paths for school counselors in Royal Oak offer varied opportunities for earnings based on employment settings. A part-time school counselor working three days a week, logged at roughly 24 hours, could anticipate an annual income that significantly diverges from full-time salary expectations, potentially making financial planning more complex. Per-diem roles as school counselors are rare, yet for those in private college admissions consulting, hourly fees can escalate to $150-$400 in high-cost living markets. Additionally, the choice between working in K-12 public districts, private institutions, or post-secondary settings can affect hourly compensation, as many school counselors trade base pay for benefits such as health insurance. Others in need of higher pay may pursue roles with no benefits, suggesting that counselors should assess their priorities carefully and negotiate their contracts effectively, especially in a market where health and retirement benefits play a pivotal role in employment decisions.
More salary data for Royal Oak, 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 Royal Oak. 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 Royal Oak 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