School Counselor Hourly Pay in Dearborn Heights, MI: $27.81 (2026)
Quick Answer:Hourly pay for a school counselor working in Dearborn Heights, MI runs $27.81 at the median for 2026 — annualizing to $57,850 at a standard 2,080-hour year. Figures projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 21-1012). Weighted against Dearborn Heights's regional price level (BEA RPP 93.2, 7% below national), each hour of work buys what $29.84 nationally would. A 24-hour part-time schedule grosses $34,705 per year.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
School counselors in Dearborn Heights, MI, earn a median hourly rate of $27.81, which is notably lower than the national median of $30.93. This discrepancy reflects the local market conditions and the cost of living index at 93.2, suggesting a unique landscape where job seekers may find varied pay structures. For those considering part-time roles—typically working three days a week—this hourly rate translates into manageable income while allowing flexibility. In local educational settings, such as elementary schools for guidance lessons or high school counseling offices, hourly pay spans a range from $18.87 for entry-level positions to $43.11 for those at the top end of the scale. These numbers illustrate the financial prospects for counselors in various scenarios, emphasizing that the hourly rates are derived from projected annual salary calculations and can vary based on experience and employer.
About the Dearborn Heights Market
Salary estimated from Michigan average ($66,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
School Counselor Hourly Wage Breakdown
| Percentile | Hourly Rate | Per 8hr Shift |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $18.87 | $150.95 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $21.51 | $172.10 |
| Median (P50) | $27.81 | $222.47 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $35.04 | $280.35 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $43.11 | $344.85 |
Estimated Annual Income by Work Schedule in Dearborn Heights
Based on $27.81/hr median hourly rate · 2026 est.
At $27.81/hr, a school counselor working full-time (40 hr/wk) in Dearborn Heights, MI can expect to earn approximately $57,842 per year (2026 est.). Part-time hygienists working 24 hours per week would earn around $33,370. With a cost-of-living index of 93.20 (below the national average), these earnings stretch further in Dearborn Heights.
Hourly Rate Calculator
Schedule Comparison in Dearborn Heights
| Schedule | Weekly | Monthly | Annual |
|---|---|---|---|
| Full-Time (40 hrs) | $1,112.35 | $4,820 | $57,842 |
| Part-Time (24 hrs) | $667.41 | $2,892 | $34,705 |
| Per Diem (16 hrs) | $444.94 | $1,928 | $23,137 |
Compare SC, LSC Wages With Similar Roles
| Role | Median Hourly |
|---|---|
| School Counselor (Dearborn Heights) | $27.81 |
| Mental Health Counselor (National Avg) | $28.69 |
| Social Worker (National Avg) | $29.33 |
| Elementary School Teacher (National Avg) | $32.79 |
| Instructional Coordinator (National Avg) | $36.21 |
School Counselors in Dearborn Heights, MI earn a median of $57,850 per year (2026 est.), which is 10.08% lower than the national median of $64,335 and 0.10% below the Michigan state average of $57,908.
School Counselor Hourly Pay vs. Cost of Living
Working 24h/week at $27.81/hr = $34,705/year (purchasing power: $37,237).
Working 40h/week (full-time) = $57,842/year (purchasing power: $62,062).
CoL index: 93.2 (100 = national average). Your dollars stretch further here.
2019 BLS Actual
$24.16/hr
2025 BLS Actual
$27.25/hr
2026 Current Est.
$27.81/hr
2019–2027 Growth
+17.5%
Hourly Rate Trajectory for School Counselors in Dearborn Heights (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 2.05% projection.
| Year | Hourly Rate | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $24.16/hr | Actual |
| 2020 | $24.62/hr | Actual |
| 2021 | $25.63/hr | Actual |
| 2022 | $25.48/hr | Actual |
| 2023 | $26.14/hr | Actual |
| 2024 | $29.55/hr | Actual |
| 2025 | $27.25/hr | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $27.81/hr | Estimated |
| 2027 | $28.38/hr | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, the median hourly rate for school counselors in Dearborn Heights grew 12.8% from $24.16/hr (2019) to $27.25/hr (2025). At a 2.05% projected growth rate, hourly pay is expected to reach $28.38/hr by 2027. Part-time and per-diem school counselors can use this multi-year trend to benchmark future contract negotiations.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Dearborn Heights 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.
Working as an Hourly School Counselor in Dearborn Heights
Focusing on part-time work, a school counselor working 24 hours a week at the median rate would earn roughly $39,600 annually, a stark contrast to the earnings of full-time professionals. Per diem roles add another layer of complexity; many private college counselors in Dearborn Heights charge per diem rates between $150-$400 per hour within higher-cost-of-living markets. This variance highlights how summer counseling programs can considerably enhance earnings, possibly adding an additional $5,000 to $15,000 to a counselor's base income. Furthermore, compensation structures differ significantly across various educational institutions—K-12 public schools often follow a step-and-lane pay structure comparable to teachers, while private institutions and charter schools may offer flexibility but could lack benefits. This reality forces counselors to weigh the significance of hourly wages against benefits like health insurance, a critical consideration for many professionals in the field. For those in Dearborn Heights, negotiating their hourly pay effectively could hinge on understanding these distinctions and emphasizing their qualifications to secure the best possible compensation for their expertise.
More salary data for Dearborn Heights, MI:
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the hourly rate for school counselors in Dearborn Heights in 2026?
How much do part-time school counselors make in Dearborn Heights?
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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
Hourly wage figures on this page are 2026 projections based on the Bureau of Labor Statistics Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS) survey, May 2026 release. A 2.05% compound annual growth rate (CAGR), derived from 6-year national BLS wage trends, was applied to estimate current 2026 hourly rates for school counselors in Dearborn Heights. Part-time and full-time income estimates assume consistent weekly hours and do not account for overtime, benefits, or seasonal variation.
Data Sources & Methodology
Salary data for Dearborn Heights 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