School Counselor Hourly Pay in Troy, MI: $28.00 (2026)
Quick Answer:Hourly pay for a school counselor working in Troy, MI runs $28.00 at the median for 2026 — annualizing to $58,254 at a standard 2,080-hour year. Figures projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 21-1012). Weighted against Troy's regional price level (BEA RPP 93.2, 7% below national), each hour of work buys what $30.05 nationally would. A 24-hour part-time schedule grosses $34,947 per year.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source

In Troy, Michigan, the school counselor hourly pay stands at $28.00, which is below the national median hourly rate of $30.93. This rate can significantly impact those working part-time, such as counselors who might operate three days a week, potentially allowing them to balance their responsibilities while still earning a respectable income. The hourly wage ranges from $19.32 for entry-level positions to $43.41 for the most experienced counselors, reflecting the different levels of expertise and responsibilities associated with the role. While these figures are estimated from annual salary data, they give a clear picture of the expected compensation for counseling professionals in a city where educational funding has seen an uptick following the recent mental health crisis.
About the Troy 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) | $19.32 | $154.54 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $21.90 | $175.20 |
| Median (P50) | $28.00 | $224.02 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $35.85 | $286.80 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $43.41 | $347.30 |
Estimated Annual Income by Work Schedule in Troy
Based on $28.00/hr median hourly rate · 2026 est.
At $28.00/hr, a school counselor working full-time (40 hr/wk) in Troy, MI can expect to earn approximately $58,245 per year (2026 est.). Part-time hygienists working 24 hours per week would earn around $33,603. With a cost-of-living index of 93.20 (below the national average), these earnings stretch further in Troy.
Hourly Rate Calculator
Schedule Comparison in Troy
| Schedule | Weekly | Monthly | Annual |
|---|---|---|---|
| Full-Time (40 hrs) | $1,120.10 | $4,854 | $58,245 |
| Part-Time (24 hrs) | $672.06 | $2,912 | $34,947 |
| Per Diem (16 hrs) | $448.04 | $1,942 | $23,298 |
Compare SC, LSC Wages With Similar Roles
| Role | Median Hourly |
|---|---|
| School Counselor (Troy) | $28.00 |
| 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 Troy, MI earn a median of $58,254 per year (2026 est.), which is 9.45% lower than the national median of $64,335 and 0.60% above the Michigan state average of $57,907.
School Counselor Hourly Pay vs. Cost of Living
Working 24h/week at $28.00/hr = $34,947/year (purchasing power: $37,497).
Working 40h/week (full-time) = $58,245/year (purchasing power: $62,495).
CoL index: 93.2 (100 = national average). Your dollars stretch further here.
2019 BLS Actual
$24.33/hr
2025 BLS Actual
$27.44/hr
2026 Current Est.
$28.00/hr
2019–2027 Growth
+17.5%
Hourly Rate Trajectory for School Counselors in Troy (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 2.05% projection.
| Year | Hourly Rate | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $24.33/hr | Actual |
| 2020 | $24.79/hr | Actual |
| 2021 | $25.81/hr | Actual |
| 2022 | $25.65/hr | Actual |
| 2023 | $26.32/hr | Actual |
| 2024 | $29.76/hr | Actual |
| 2025 | $27.44/hr | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $28.00/hr | Estimated |
| 2027 | $28.58/hr | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, the median hourly rate for school counselors in Troy grew 12.8% from $24.33/hr (2019) to $27.44/hr (2025). At a 2.05% projected growth rate, hourly pay is expected to reach $28.58/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 Troy 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 Troy
Part-time school counselors working under a 3-day workweek can expect to bring home about $34,560 annually, a figure that clearly contrasts with the earnings of full-time counselors. Those taking on per-diem roles or locum tenens positions may find varying opportunities, with per diem school counselor pay in Troy being more limited than in high-cost urban markets where rates can reach $150-$400 per hour for specialized counseling services. Employment settings such as K-12 public schools, private institutions, and post-secondary colleges further diversify compensation structures; many opt for the stability of full-time roles for health benefits, even if it means a lower hourly pay compared to freelance positions. Negotiating effectively in these environments is critical; understanding the trade-offs between hourly wages and employee benefits can help prospective counselors secure more favorable employment terms suitable for their career and financial goals within the evolving landscape of Troy's educational services.
More salary data for Troy, 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 Troy. 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 Troy 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