School Counselor Salary in Auburn Hills, MI: $56,529 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time school counselor in Auburn Hills, MI earns a median $56,529/year (≈ $27.18/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 21-1012). Once you factor in Auburn Hills's price level (7% below national, BEA RPP 93.2), that paycheck buys what $60,653 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 2.4% below the Michigan state average.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
In 2026, school counselors in Auburn Hills, Michigan, will earn a median annual salary of $56,529. This figure reflects local estimates based on 2025 BLS data and adjustments for regional cost of living, highlighting a competitive salary that ranges from $39,281 at the 10th percentile to $87,619 for those at the 90th percentile. Counselors in the area typically fall within a step-and-lane pay structure, where master's and master's+30 qualifications influence placement. The overall compensation trends suggest that while Auburn Hills may lag slightly behind the national median salary of $64,335, the local market remains robust for aspiring school counselors, particularly with recent expansions in mental health funding that prioritize hiring in this profession.
About the Auburn Hills Market
Salary estimated from Michigan average ($66,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $39,281 | $18.89 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $44,204 | $21.26 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $56,529 | $27.18 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $72,357 | $34.79 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $87,619 | $42.13 |
Median Salary Position
12.13% below the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Auburn Hills
In Auburn Hills, MI, the school counselor salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $48,338 (2026 est.). At $56,529, the local median is 12.13% below the national median of $64,335.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in Auburn Hills: You'd be in the lower-middle range
How Auburn Hills School Counselor Pay Compares
Auburn Hills median: $56,529/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Auburn Hills Pays |
|---|---|---|
| Michigan Average | $57,919 | -2.40% less |
| National Average | $64,335 | -12.13% less |
School Counselors in Auburn Hills, MI earn a median of $56,529 per year (2026 est.), which is 12.13% lower than the national median of $64,335 and 2.40% below the Michigan state average of $57,919.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Auburn Hills has a cost of living 6.80% below the national average, meaning your salary goes further here.
Adjusted salary = nominal × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average.
Auburn Hills, MI has a cost-of-living index of 93.2 (below the national average of 100). A school counselor earning $56,529 nominally has purchasing power equivalent to $60,653 in an average-cost city — an effective 7.3% boost.
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2019 BLS Actual
$49,116
2025 BLS Actual
$55,393
2026 Current Est.
$56,529
2019–2027 Growth
+17.5%
Salary Trajectory for School Counselors in Auburn Hills (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 2.05% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $49,116 | Actual |
| 2020 | $50,046 | Actual |
| 2021 | $52,104 | Actual |
| 2022 | $51,785 | Actual |
| 2023 | $53,137 | Actual |
| 2024 | $60,060 | Actual |
| 2025 | $55,393 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $56,529 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $57,687 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Auburn Hills metropolitan area, the median school counselor salary grew 12.8% from $49,116 (2019) to $55,393 (2025). At a 2.05% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $57,687 by 2027 — a total increase of $8,571 (17.45%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Auburn Hills 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.
Salary by Experience Level
| Experience | Estimated Salary Range |
|---|---|
| 0-2 years (New Graduate) | $39,281 – $44,204 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $44,204 – $56,529 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $56,529 – $72,357 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $72,357 – $87,619 |
SC, LSC salary ranges estimated from BLS percentile data. Individual school counselor compensation varies by employer, certifications, and specialization.
School Counselor Job Market in Auburn Hills
Analyzing the local job market for school counselors reveals both opportunities and challenges. With only four counselors employed in the area, competition can be tight, but the lower cost-of-living index of 93.2 suggests that salaries stretch further in terms of purchasing power compared to many parts of the country. Auburn Hills' pay is shaped largely by the step-and-lane pay scale, which rewards years of experience and educational attainment. Factors that contribute to the variation between low and high compensation include extended school year contracts, summer programs, and stipends for additional responsibilities, such as department heads or club advisors. To maximize earnings, school counselors may consider seeking employment with larger K-12 public school districts or exploring opportunities in charter schools, where the pay can trend higher. Engaging in professional development and pursuing advanced credentials can also enhance earning potential in this dynamic market.
More salary data for Auburn Hills, 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
Salary figures on this page are 2026 projections based on the Bureau of Labor Statistics Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS) survey, May 2026 release. The BLS reported a median annual salary of $55,393 for school counselorsin the Auburn Hills metropolitan area. A 2.05% compound annual growth rate (CAGR), calculated from 6-year national BLS wage trends, was applied to project current 2026 compensation. Percentile ranges (P10–P90) represent the full salary distribution across experience levels and practice settings in this market.
Data Sources & Methodology
Salary data for Auburn Hills 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