School Counselor Hourly Pay in Ypsilanti, MI: $25.89 (2026)
Quick Answer:Hourly pay for a school counselor working in Ypsilanti, MI runs $25.89 at the median for 2026 — annualizing to $53,849 at a standard 2,080-hour year. Figures projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 21-1012). Weighted against Ypsilanti's regional price level (BEA RPP 93.2, 7% below national), each hour of work buys what $27.78 nationally would. A 24-hour part-time schedule grosses $32,311 per year.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
In Ypsilanti, Michigan, school counselors earn a median hourly pay of $25.89, which falls below the national hourly median of $30.93 for similar roles across the U.S. This difference means that school counselors in Ypsilanti might find it more challenging to maintain a desired standard of living, especially if they are working part-time or on a per-diem basis. For example, a counselor working three days a week might focus on essential functions like classroom guidance, small group interventions, or coordinating crisis response teams, balancing their responsibilities while also considering their financial needs. The hourly pay rates for school counselors range significantly, with entry-level positions starting around $20.01 per hour, while top earners can see rates as high as $40.13. When evaluating these figures, it’s clear that the hourly rates in Ypsilanti reflect the impact of local economic conditions and are derived from annual salary estimates based on 2025 BLS data, projected to 2026.
About the Ypsilanti 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) | $20.01 | $160.10 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $21.61 | $172.91 |
| Median (P50) | $25.89 | $207.12 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $33.08 | $264.68 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $40.13 | $321.01 |
Estimated Annual Income by Work Schedule in Ypsilanti
Based on $25.89/hr median hourly rate · 2026 est.
At $25.89/hr, a school counselor working full-time (40 hr/wk) in Ypsilanti, MI can expect to earn approximately $53,851 per year (2026 est.). Part-time hygienists working 24 hours per week would earn around $31,068. With a cost-of-living index of 93.20 (below the national average), these earnings stretch further in Ypsilanti.
Hourly Rate Calculator
Schedule Comparison in Ypsilanti
| Schedule | Weekly | Monthly | Annual |
|---|---|---|---|
| Full-Time (40 hrs) | $1,035.60 | $4,488 | $53,851 |
| Part-Time (24 hrs) | $621.36 | $2,693 | $32,311 |
| Per Diem (16 hrs) | $414.24 | $1,795 | $21,541 |
Compare SC, LSC Wages With Similar Roles
| Role | Median Hourly |
|---|---|
| School Counselor (Ypsilanti) | $25.89 |
| 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 Ypsilanti, MI earn a median of $53,849 per year (2026 est.), which is 16.30% lower than the national median of $64,335 and 7.00% below the Michigan state average of $57,902.
School Counselor Hourly Pay vs. Cost of Living
Working 24h/week at $25.89/hr = $32,311/year (purchasing power: $34,668).
Working 40h/week (full-time) = $53,851/year (purchasing power: $57,780).
CoL index: 93.2 (100 = national average). Your dollars stretch further here.
2019 BLS Actual
$22.50/hr
2025 BLS Actual
$25.37/hr
2026 Current Est.
$25.89/hr
2019–2027 Growth
+17.5%
Hourly Rate Trajectory for School Counselors in Ypsilanti (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 2.05% projection.
| Year | Hourly Rate | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $22.50/hr | Actual |
| 2020 | $22.92/hr | Actual |
| 2021 | $23.86/hr | Actual |
| 2022 | $23.72/hr | Actual |
| 2023 | $24.34/hr | Actual |
| 2024 | $27.51/hr | Actual |
| 2025 | $25.37/hr | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $25.89/hr | Estimated |
| 2027 | $26.42/hr | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, the median hourly rate for school counselors in Ypsilanti grew 12.8% from $22.50/hr (2019) to $25.37/hr (2025). At a 2.05% projected growth rate, hourly pay is expected to reach $26.42/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 Ypsilanti 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 Ypsilanti
Part-time school counselors in Ypsilanti, working an estimated 24 hours a week, may take home less than $32,000 annually, a stark contrast to the salaries of full-time counselors who benefit from the more comprehensive salary and benefits packages tied to K-12 teaching structures. For those considering per diem opportunities, the landscape is varied: while a substitute school counselor position might offer limited options, private counselors can command rates between $150 to $400 per hour for college admissions consulting, a stark reflection of higher compensation typically found in those settings. Hourly rates can differ significantly based on the type of employer, with public school districts, charter schools, and private institutions each offering varying compensation packages influenced by funding constraints and demand for mental health services, which have expanded post-COVID. Counselors must weigh the benefits of steady employment against the allure of higher hourly rates without benefits, particularly when negotiating and assessing their own work-life preferences and needs in the context of the current job market in Ypsilanti.
More salary data for Ypsilanti, MI:
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the hourly rate for school counselors in Ypsilanti in 2026?
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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 Ypsilanti. 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 Ypsilanti 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