School Counselor Salary in Monroe, MI: $56,465 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time school counselor in Monroe, MI earns a median $56,465/year (≈ $27.16/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 21-1012). Once you factor in Monroe's price level (7% below national, BEA RPP 93.5), that paycheck buys what $60,396 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 2.5% below the Michigan state average.
Official BLS data · View source
In Monroe, Michigan, school counselors can expect a median annual salary of $56,465 in 2026, which is notably lower than the national median of $64,335 for the same year. The full salary spectrum for school counselors in this region ranges from $45,584 at the 10th percentile to as much as $89,958 at the 90th percentile. This salary data is drawn from official Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS) surveys, reflecting the competitive market in Monroe. With a system that typically employs a step-and-lane scale based on years of experience and educational attainment, upward mobility in this profession can be closely tied to the educational qualifications held by counselors, particularly when comparing those with master’s degrees versus those with additional coursework or degrees.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $45,584 | $21.91 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $48,094 | $23.12 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $56,465 | $27.16 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $73,567 | $35.36 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $89,958 | $43.26 |
Median Salary Position
12.23% below the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Monroe
In Monroe, MI, the school counselor salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $44,374 (2026 est.). At $56,465, the local median is 12.23% below the national median of $64,335.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in Monroe: You'd be in the lower-middle range
How Monroe School Counselor Pay Compares
Monroe median: $56,465/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Monroe Pays |
|---|---|---|
| Michigan Average | $57,913 | -2.50% less |
| National Average | $64,335 | -12.23% less |
School Counselors in Monroe, MI earn a median of $56,465 per year (2026 est.), which is 12.23% lower than the national median of $64,335 and 2.50% below the Michigan state average of $57,913.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Monroe has a cost of living 6.51% below the national average, meaning your salary goes further here.
Adjusted salary = nominal × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average.
Monroe, MI has a cost-of-living index of 93.492 (below the national average of 100). A school counselor earning $56,465 nominally has purchasing power equivalent to $60,396 in an average-cost city — an effective 6.96% boost.
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2019 BLS Actual
$49,061
2025 BLS Actual
$55,331
2026 Current Est.
$56,465
2019–2027 Growth
+17.5%
Salary Trajectory for School Counselors in Monroe (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 2.05% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $49,061 | Actual |
| 2020 | $49,990 | Actual |
| 2021 | $49,990 | Actual |
| 2022 | $61,130 | Actual |
| 2023 | $63,660 | Actual |
| 2024 | $66,700 | Actual |
| 2025 | $55,331 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $56,465 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $57,623 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Monroe metropolitan area, the median school counselor salary grew 12.8% from $49,061 (2019) to $55,331 (2025). At a 2.05% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $57,623 by 2027 — a total increase of $8,562 (17.45%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Monroe 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) | $45,584 – $48,094 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $48,094 – $56,465 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $56,465 – $73,567 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $73,567 – $89,958 |
SC, LSC salary ranges estimated from BLS percentile data. Individual school counselor compensation varies by employer, certifications, and specialization.
School Counselor Job Market in Monroe
Looking at the local job market, Monroe employs around 70 school counselors, putting it in a stable position within the region. The cost of living index in Monroe is 93.492, slightly below the national average, suggesting that the take-home purchasing power may stretch further compared to other areas. In this context, K-12 public school districts tend to offer the most competitive salaries, followed closely by charter schools and private institutions. Variability in compensation generally arises from a combination of the district's specific pay scale, levels of education, and any additional roles such as summer programs or extra duties. Counselors aiming to maximize their pay in Monroe should consider pursuing further education to gain placement on higher salary columns, as well as actively seeking positions that come with added responsibilities or extended contracts, which can significantly enhance overall earnings.
More salary data for Monroe, 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 $55,331 for school counselorsin the Monroe 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, 5-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