School Counselor Salary in Farmington Hills, MI: $57,979 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time school counselor in Farmington Hills, MI earns a median $57,979/year (≈ $27.87/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 21-1012). Once you factor in Farmington Hills's price level (7% below national, BEA RPP 93.2), that paycheck buys what $62,209 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 0.1% above the Michigan state average.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source

In Farmington Hills, MI, school counselors are projected to earn a median annual salary of $57,979 in 2026, reflecting a competitive pay scale that correlates with their level of education and experience on the step-and-lane structure. The salary range extends from $39,304 at the 10th percentile to as high as $89,867 at the 90th percentile, showcasing the significant variability based on factors such as additional qualifications and years in service. These figures are based on 2025 BLS data, projected for 2026, and adjusted for local cost-of-living considerations in Farmington Hills, where salaries are slightly below the national median of $64,335. The local job market for school counselors is robust, reflecting the demand for mental health support following the heightened focus on wellness in educational environments.
About the Farmington Hills Market
Salary estimated from Michigan average ($66,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $39,304 | $18.90 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $44,998 | $21.63 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $57,979 | $27.87 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $74,213 | $35.68 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $89,867 | $43.21 |
Median Salary Position
9.88% below the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Farmington Hills
In Farmington Hills, MI, the school counselor salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $50,563 (2026 est.). At $57,979, the local median is 9.88% below the national median of $64,335.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in Farmington Hills: You'd be in the lower-middle range
How Farmington Hills School Counselor Pay Compares
Farmington Hills median: $57,979/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Farmington Hills Pays |
|---|---|---|
| Michigan Average | $57,921 | +0.10% more |
| National Average | $64,335 | -9.88% less |
School Counselors in Farmington Hills, MI earn a median of $57,979 per year (2026 est.), which is 9.88% lower than the national median of $64,335 and 0.10% above the Michigan state average of $57,921.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Farmington 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.
Farmington Hills, MI has a cost-of-living index of 93.2 (below the national average of 100). A school counselor earning $57,979 nominally has purchasing power equivalent to $62,209 in an average-cost city — an effective 7.3% boost.
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2019 BLS Actual
$50,376
2025 BLS Actual
$56,814
2026 Current Est.
$57,979
2019–2027 Growth
+17.5%
Salary Trajectory for School Counselors in Farmington Hills (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 2.05% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $50,376 | Actual |
| 2020 | $51,330 | Actual |
| 2021 | $53,440 | Actual |
| 2022 | $53,114 | Actual |
| 2023 | $54,500 | Actual |
| 2024 | $61,601 | Actual |
| 2025 | $56,814 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $57,979 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $59,167 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Farmington Hills metropolitan area, the median school counselor salary grew 12.8% from $50,376 (2019) to $56,814 (2025). At a 2.05% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $59,167 by 2027 — a total increase of $8,791 (17.45%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Farmington 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) | $39,304 – $44,998 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $44,998 – $57,979 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $57,979 – $74,213 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $74,213 – $89,867 |
SC, LSC salary ranges estimated from BLS percentile data. Individual school counselor compensation varies by employer, certifications, and specialization.
School Counselor Job Market in Farmington Hills
Examining the local job market reveals that there are approximately 20 school counselors employed in the area, which maintains a healthy balance between job availability and competition. With a cost-of-living index of 93.2, Farmington Hills provides an advantageous environment for school counselor pay, allowing for decent purchasing power despite lower salaries relative to national averages. Among local employers, K-12 public school districts tend to offer the most competitive salaries, primarily influenced by their structured pay scales that factor in years of experience and advanced degrees. The pay discrepancies arise from various elements, including placements on the salary schedule, the existence of extended contracts, and roles with stipends for additional responsibilities. For counselors looking to maximize their earnings in this community, pursuing advanced education beyond a master's degree could enhance salary placement, and actively seeking leadership positions or summer program involvement could contribute positively to pay potential.
More salary data for Farmington 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 $56,814 for school counselorsin the Farmington 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 Farmington 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