School Counselor Salary in Niles, MI: $49,244 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time school counselor in Niles, MI earns a median $49,244/year (≈ $23.68/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 21-1012). Once you factor in Niles's price level (8% below national, BEA RPP 92.4), that paycheck buys what $53,312 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 14.9% below the Michigan state average.
Official BLS data · View source
In Niles, MI, the financial compensation for school counselors reflects an annual median salary of $49,244, which is notably lower than the national median of $64,335. The salary range for this profession spans from $37,693 at the 10th percentile to $79,847 at the 90th percentile, indicating a diverse pay structure influenced by experience and education levels. Derived from official Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) OEWS surveys, this data shows that the step-and-lane pay scale typical in K-12 public school systems plays a significant role in determining compensation. Factors such as whether a counselor holds a master’s degree or has additional qualifications, like a master’s plus 30 credits, also significantly impact salary placement within this framework, a critical consideration for professionals in the field.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $37,693 | $18.12 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $39,283 | $18.89 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $49,244 | $23.68 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $64,706 | $31.10 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $79,847 | $38.39 |
Median Salary Position
23.46% below the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Niles
In Niles, MI, the school counselor salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $42,154 (2026 est.). At $49,244, the local median is 23.46% below the national median of $64,335.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in Niles: You'd be in the lower-middle range
How Niles School Counselor Pay Compares
Niles median: $49,244/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Niles Pays |
|---|---|---|
| Michigan Average | $57,866 | -14.90% less |
| National Average | $64,335 | -23.46% less |
School Counselors in Niles, MI earn a median of $49,244 per year (2026 est.), which is 23.46% lower than the national median of $64,335 and 14.90% below the Michigan state average of $57,866.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Niles has a cost of living 7.63% below the national average, meaning your salary goes further here.
Adjusted salary = nominal × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average.
Niles, MI has a cost-of-living index of 92.37 (below the national average of 100). A school counselor earning $49,244 nominally has purchasing power equivalent to $53,312 in an average-cost city — an effective 8.26% boost.
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2019 BLS Actual
$54,000
2025 BLS Actual
$48,255
2026 Current Est.
$49,244
2019–2027 Growth
+-6.9%
Salary Trajectory for School Counselors in Niles (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 2.05% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $54,000 | Actual |
| 2020 | $52,800 | Actual |
| 2021 | $45,850 | Actual |
| 2022 | $47,280 | Actual |
| 2023 | $49,760 | Actual |
| 2024 | $54,670 | Actual |
| 2025 | $48,255 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $49,244 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $50,254 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Niles metropolitan area, the median school counselor salary grew -10.6% from $54,000 (2019) to $48,255 (2025). At a 2.05% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $50,254 by 2027 — a total increase of $-3,746 (-6.94%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Niles 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) | $37,693 – $39,283 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $39,283 – $49,244 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $49,244 – $64,706 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $64,706 – $79,847 |
SC, LSC salary ranges estimated from BLS percentile data. Individual school counselor compensation varies by employer, certifications, and specialization.
School Counselor Job Market in Niles
While the overall salary for school counselors in Niles may seem modest compared to national figures, several dynamics shape the local job market. With 140 school counselors employed in the area, the demand for these professionals remains steady, especially as districts expand mental health services in response to increased needs following COVID-19. The cost of living index for Niles is 92.37, meaning that while salaries may be lower, purchasing power could remain relatively stable. Among local employers, K-12 public school districts offer the highest salaries, followed by charter institutions and private schools. Variations in pay can also be attributed to the prevalent step-and-lane salary structure, where years of experience and educational attainment affect compensation. Counselors looking to maximize their earnings in Niles should consider pursuing advanced degrees, taking on leadership roles, or engaging in summer school programs, which can provide additional income opportunities while addressing the current counselor shortage in schools.
More salary data for Niles, 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 $48,255 for school counselorsin the Niles 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