School Counselor Salary in Jackson, MI: $48,875 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time school counselor in Jackson, MI earns a median $48,875/year (≈ $23.49/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 21-1012). Once you factor in Jackson's price level (8% below national, BEA RPP 91.8), that paycheck buys what $53,253 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 15.6% below the Michigan state average.
Official BLS data · View source
Projected for 2026, the school counselor salary in Jackson, MI is expected to reach a median of $48,875, which falls considerably below the national median of $64,335. This local compensation is part of a broader trend fueled by an increase in mental health funding post-COVID, leading to more robust hiring in area schools. The anticipated salary range for school counselors in Jackson is quite broad, from $39,183 at the 10th percentile to an impressive $79,878 at the 90th percentile. These figures are based on 2025 BLS OEWS data, projected to 2026, reflecting the evolving landscape of school counseling as districts adapt to increased demands and budgets for mental health resources.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $39,183 | $18.84 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $44,834 | $21.55 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $48,875 | $23.49 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $62,385 | $29.99 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $79,878 | $38.40 |
Median Salary Position
24.03% below the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Jackson
In Jackson, MI, the school counselor salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $40,695 (2026 est.). At $48,875, the local median is 24.03% below the national median of $64,335.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in Jackson: You'd be in the entry-level range
How Jackson School Counselor Pay Compares
Jackson median: $48,875/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Jackson Pays |
|---|---|---|
| Michigan Average | $57,909 | -15.60% less |
| National Average | $64,335 | -24.03% less |
School Counselors in Jackson, MI earn a median of $48,875 per year (2026 est.), which is 24.03% lower than the national median of $64,335 and 15.60% below the Michigan state average of $57,909.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Jackson has a cost of living 8.22% below the national average, meaning your salary goes further here.
Adjusted salary = nominal × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average.
Jackson, MI has a cost-of-living index of 91.779 (below the national average of 100). A school counselor earning $48,875 nominally has purchasing power equivalent to $53,253 in an average-cost city — an effective 8.96% boost.
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2019 BLS Actual
$48,280
2025 BLS Actual
$47,893
2026 Current Est.
$48,875
2019–2027 Growth
+3.3%
Salary Trajectory for School Counselors in Jackson (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 2.05% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $48,280 | Actual |
| 2020 | $48,980 | Actual |
| 2021 | $48,100 | Actual |
| 2022 | $51,360 | Actual |
| 2023 | $56,310 | Actual |
| 2024 | $57,220 | Actual |
| 2025 | $47,893 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $48,875 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $49,877 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Jackson metropolitan area, the median school counselor salary grew -0.8% from $48,280 (2019) to $47,893 (2025). At a 2.05% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $49,877 by 2027 — a total increase of $1,597 (3.31%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Jackson 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) | $39,183 – $44,834 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $44,834 – $48,875 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $48,875 – $62,385 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $62,385 – $79,878 |
SC, LSC salary ranges estimated from BLS percentile data. Individual school counselor compensation varies by employer, certifications, and specialization.
School Counselor Job Market in Jackson
In Jackson, the current employment landscape for school counselors is solid, with 110 positions actively filled across various educational institutions. The area presents a favorable cost of living index of 91.779, which indicates that while salaries may lag behind the national average, the relatively lower expenses help maintain purchasing power. Among local employers, K-12 public school districts typically offer the most competitive salaries, often influenced by the step-and-lane pay structure that rewards years of experience and advanced education. The breadth of compensation is influenced by factors such as educational attainment (e.g., master's versus doctorate) and participation in extended school year contracts and stipend roles that may enhance overall earnings. For those navigating the job market, pursuing additional qualifications and engaging in summer school or club advisor roles can be effective strategies for maximizing school counselor pay in Jackson, MI.
More salary data for Jackson, 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 $47,893 for school counselorsin the Jackson 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