School Counselor Salary in Rochester Hills, MI: $57,520 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time school counselor in Rochester Hills, MI earns a median $57,520/year (≈ $27.66/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 21-1012). Once you factor in Rochester Hills's price level (7% below national, BEA RPP 93.2), that paycheck buys what $61,717 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 0.6% below the Michigan state average.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
In Rochester Hills, Michigan, the school counselor salary landscape shows a median annual pay of $57,520 for the year 2026, which lags behind the national average of $64,335 by approximately 10.59%. While the salary range for school counselors spans from $38,492 at the 10th percentile to $89,157 at the 90th percentile, it's essential to recognize that these figures are estimates based on 2025 BLS state-level data and adjusted for regional price disparities. With a school counselor-to-student ratio that exceeds the ASCA-recommended 1:250 benchmark, this discrepancy in compensation highlights both the demand for qualified professionals and the potentially challenging working conditions in the district.
About the Rochester Hills Market
Salary estimated from Michigan average ($66,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $38,492 | $18.50 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $47,542 | $22.86 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $57,520 | $27.66 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $73,626 | $35.40 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $89,157 | $42.86 |
Median Salary Position
10.59% below the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Rochester Hills
In Rochester Hills, MI, the school counselor salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $50,665 (2026 est.). At $57,520, the local median is 10.59% below the national median of $64,335.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in Rochester Hills: You'd be in the lower-middle range
How Rochester Hills School Counselor Pay Compares
Rochester Hills median: $57,520/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Rochester Hills Pays |
|---|---|---|
| Michigan Average | $57,868 | -0.60% less |
| National Average | $64,335 | -10.59% less |
School Counselors in Rochester Hills, MI earn a median of $57,520 per year (2026 est.), which is 10.59% lower than the national median of $64,335 and 0.60% below the Michigan state average of $57,868.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Rochester 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.
Rochester Hills, MI has a cost-of-living index of 93.2 (below the national average of 100). A school counselor earning $57,520 nominally has purchasing power equivalent to $61,717 in an average-cost city — an effective 7.3% boost.
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2019 BLS Actual
$49,978
2025 BLS Actual
$56,365
2026 Current Est.
$57,520
2019–2027 Growth
+17.5%
Salary Trajectory for School Counselors in Rochester Hills (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 2.05% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $49,978 | Actual |
| 2020 | $50,924 | Actual |
| 2021 | $53,018 | Actual |
| 2022 | $52,694 | Actual |
| 2023 | $54,069 | Actual |
| 2024 | $61,114 | Actual |
| 2025 | $56,365 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $57,520 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $58,700 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Rochester Hills metropolitan area, the median school counselor salary grew 12.8% from $49,978 (2019) to $56,365 (2025). At a 2.05% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $58,700 by 2027 — a total increase of $8,722 (17.45%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Rochester 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) | $38,492 – $47,542 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $47,542 – $57,520 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $57,520 – $73,626 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $73,626 – $89,157 |
SC, LSC salary ranges estimated from BLS percentile data. Individual school counselor compensation varies by employer, certifications, and specialization.
School Counselor Job Market in Rochester Hills
The local job market in Rochester Hills features 12 school counselors, providing a competitive yet limited employment landscape, especially given the area's cost of living index of 93.2. This figure suggests that take-home pay may afford a somewhat lower purchasing power compared to more expensive urban settings. Among K-12 public school districts, those with established contracts are likely the highest-paying employers, influenced by step-and-lane salary scales that consider years of experience and education level. Variations in pay can be attributed to factors such as district premiums for high-cost areas and additional roles that offer stipends. For counselors aiming to maximize their earnings, pursuing advanced certifications or taking on leadership roles, like department head or club adviser, can enhance salary potential while contributing to the expanded mental health services critical in today’s educational environment.
More salary data for Rochester 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 $56,365 for school counselorsin the Rochester 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 Rochester 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