School Counselor Salary in St. Clair Shores, MI: $57,552 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time school counselor in St. Clair Shores, MI earns a median $57,552/year (≈ $27.67/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 21-1012). Once you factor in St. Clair Shores's price level (7% below national, BEA RPP 93.2), that paycheck buys what $61,751 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 0.6% below the Michigan state average.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
In 2026, the projected median annual salary for school counselors in St. Clair Shores is $57,552, reflecting ongoing efforts to bolster mental health support in schools following the COVID-19 pandemic. This salary is notably lower than the national median of $64,335, creating a context in which local hiring remains competitive. Counselors in the area can expect to earn between $41,254 and $89,206 annually, based on estimates derived from state-level data and regional price adjustments. The increased funding for mental health initiatives has resulted in heightened demand for school counselors, which is crucial in a market where the student-to-counselor ratio continues to exceed recommended levels. For those considering a counseling career in this community, the evolving job market presents promising opportunities for future growth.
About the St. Clair Shores Market
Salary estimated from Michigan average ($66,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $41,254 | $19.84 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $46,347 | $22.28 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $57,552 | $27.67 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $73,667 | $35.42 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $89,206 | $42.89 |
Median Salary Position
10.54% below the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in St. Clair Shores
In St. Clair Shores, MI, the school counselor salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $47,952 (2026 est.). At $57,552, the local median is 10.54% below the national median of $64,335.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in St. Clair Shores: You'd be in the lower-middle range
How St. Clair Shores School Counselor Pay Compares
St. Clair Shores median: $57,552/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | St. Clair Shores Pays |
|---|---|---|
| Michigan Average | $57,900 | -0.60% less |
| National Average | $64,335 | -10.54% less |
School Counselors in St. Clair Shores, MI earn a median of $57,552 per year (2026 est.), which is 10.54% lower than the national median of $64,335 and 0.60% below the Michigan state average of $57,900.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
St. Clair Shores 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.
St. Clair Shores, MI has a cost-of-living index of 93.2 (below the national average of 100). A school counselor earning $57,552 nominally has purchasing power equivalent to $61,751 in an average-cost city — an effective 7.3% boost.
Compare Purchasing Power
Select a city to see how your salary compares after cost of living
Select a city above to compare purchasing power
2019 BLS Actual
$50,005
2025 BLS Actual
$56,396
2026 Current Est.
$57,552
2019–2027 Growth
+17.5%
Salary Trajectory for School Counselors in St. Clair Shores (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 2.05% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $50,005 | Actual |
| 2020 | $50,952 | Actual |
| 2021 | $53,047 | Actual |
| 2022 | $52,723 | Actual |
| 2023 | $54,099 | Actual |
| 2024 | $61,148 | Actual |
| 2025 | $56,396 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $57,552 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $58,732 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the St. Clair Shores metropolitan area, the median school counselor salary grew 12.8% from $50,005 (2019) to $56,396 (2025). At a 2.05% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $58,732 by 2027 — a total increase of $8,727 (17.45%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the St. Clair Shores 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) | $41,254 – $46,347 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $46,347 – $57,552 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $57,552 – $73,667 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $73,667 – $89,206 |
SC, LSC salary ranges estimated from BLS percentile data. Individual school counselor compensation varies by employer, certifications, and specialization.
School Counselor Job Market in St. Clair Shores
The local job market for school counselors in St. Clair Shores features 13 professionals actively employed, positioning it as a relatively small but vibrant segment of the educational workforce. With a cost of living index of 93.2, the purchasing power for school counselor salaries can be substantially different from other settings, which means potential earnings play a critical role in decision-making for many counselors in the region. Among local employers, K-12 public school districts typically offer the highest salaries, often influenced by the step-and-lane pay structure based on experience and education levels. Factors such as contract extensions for summer programs and stipends for additional responsibilities can lead to variations in compensation. To maximize earning potential in St. Clair Shores, counselors might consider pursuing advanced degrees, as placement on higher salary columns correlates with educational attainment and direct experience within the district.
More salary data for St. Clair Shores, MI:
Frequently Asked Questions
How much do school counselors make in St. Clair Shores, MI in 2026?
Is St. Clair Shores, MI a good place to work as a school counselor?
Can school counselors make $100K in St. Clair Shores?
What is the cost-of-living adjusted school counselor salary in St. Clair Shores?
How much does a school counselor make per hour in St. Clair Shores?
Related Pages
Compare Salaries
Career Resources
Nearby Cities in Michigan
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 $56,396 for school counselorsin the St. Clair Shores 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 St. Clair Shores 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