School Counselor Salary in Flint, MI: $48,504 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time school counselor in Flint, MI earns a median $48,504/year (≈ $23.32/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 21-1012). Once you factor in Flint's price level (7% below national, BEA RPP 93.0), that paycheck buys what $52,136 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 16.2% below the Michigan state average.
Official BLS data · View source
In Flint, Michigan, the projected median annual salary for school counselors in 2026 is $48,504, significantly lower than the national median of $64,335. With a salary range from $37,093 at the 10th percentile to $86,198 at the 90th percentile, the compensation structure indicates noticeable disparities based on experience, employment setting, and education level. This data, derived from 2025 BLS OEWS surveys, highlights the financial reality for counselors in a district where the recommended counselor-to-student ratio of 1:250 is often exceeded, leading to increased workloads and responsibilities. As Flint schools continue to address the mental health needs of their students in the wake of the COVID-19 pandemic, understanding these salary dynamics will prove essential for current and aspiring counselors navigating their career paths.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $37,093 | $17.83 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $44,464 | $21.38 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $48,504 | $23.32 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $68,996 | $33.18 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $86,198 | $41.44 |
Median Salary Position
24.61% below the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Flint
In Flint, MI, the school counselor salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $49,105 (2026 est.). At $48,504, the local median is 24.61% below the national median of $64,335.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in Flint: You'd be in the entry-level range
How Flint School Counselor Pay Compares
Flint median: $48,504/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Flint Pays |
|---|---|---|
| Michigan Average | $57,881 | -16.20% less |
| National Average | $64,335 | -24.61% less |
School Counselors in Flint, MI earn a median of $48,504 per year (2026 est.), which is 24.61% lower than the national median of $64,335 and 16.20% below the Michigan state average of $57,881.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Flint has a cost of living 6.97% below the national average, meaning your salary goes further here.
Adjusted salary = nominal × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average.
Flint, MI has a cost-of-living index of 93.034 (below the national average of 100). A school counselor earning $48,504 nominally has purchasing power equivalent to $52,136 in an average-cost city — an effective 7.49% boost.
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2019 BLS Actual
$55,580
2025 BLS Actual
$47,530
2026 Current Est.
$48,504
2019–2027 Growth
+-10.9%
Salary Trajectory for School Counselors in Flint (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 2.05% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $55,580 | Actual |
| 2020 | $53,100 | Actual |
| 2021 | $48,780 | Actual |
| 2022 | $49,750 | Actual |
| 2023 | $55,530 | Actual |
| 2024 | $62,720 | Actual |
| 2025 | $47,530 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $48,504 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $49,499 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Flint metropolitan area, the median school counselor salary grew -14.5% from $55,580 (2019) to $47,530 (2025). At a 2.05% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $49,499 by 2027 — a total increase of $-6,081 (-10.94%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Flint 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) | $37,093 – $44,464 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $44,464 – $48,504 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $48,504 – $68,996 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $68,996 – $86,198 |
SC, LSC salary ranges estimated from BLS percentile data. Individual school counselor compensation varies by employer, certifications, and specialization.
School Counselor Job Market in Flint
For the nearly 400 school counselors employed in Flint, the local job market presents both challenges and opportunities. With a cost-of-living index of 93.034, the actual purchasing power of the school counselor pay in Flint, MI, may feel stretched, further complicating financial planning. Among various employers, K-12 public school districts typically offer the most competitive salaries, while charter and private institutions may provide alternative compensation structures, including bonuses for additional responsibilities. Factors such as the step-and-lane pay scale, which considers years of service and educational attainment, significantly influence salary differences across districts. Counselors can enhance their earning potential by seeking advanced degrees, gaining additional certifications, or assuming roles with increased responsibilities, such as department heads or summer program coordinators. As the demand for school counselors persists, especially in a post-pandemic climate focused on mental health support, strategic career decisions will become increasingly relevant for maximizing school counselor salaries in Flint.
More salary data for Flint, 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 $47,530 for school counselorsin the Flint 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
Source: BLS, OEWS, 7-year dataset (–). Per-city data from annual BLS metropolitan area surveys.
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