School Counselor Hourly Pay in Niles, MI: $23.68 (2026)
Quick Answer:Hourly pay for a school counselor working in Niles, MI runs $23.68 at the median for 2026 — annualizing to $49,244 at a standard 2,080-hour year. Figures projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 21-1012). Weighted against Niles's regional price level (BEA RPP 92.4, 8% below national), each hour of work buys what $25.63 nationally would. A 24-hour part-time schedule grosses $29,547 per year.
Official BLS data · View source
In Niles, MI, the school counselor hourly pay is projected to reach a median rate of $23.68 in 2026, which is considerably lower than the national median of $30.93. This rate offers unique opportunities for part-time professionals working in various educational settings, whether they are conducting classroom guidance lessons in elementary schools, providing small group counseling in middle schools, or delivering individual support in high school counseling offices. The hourly pay range for school counselors in Niles spans from $18.12 at the entry-level to $38.39 for those in the highest percentile. These hourly figures, based on 2025 BLS OEWS data projected to 2026, can influence the decision-making of current counselors contemplating part-time or per-diem roles.
School Counselor Hourly Wage Breakdown
| Percentile | Hourly Rate | Per 8hr Shift |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $18.12 | $144.99 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $18.89 | $151.12 |
| Median (P50) | $23.68 | $189.40 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $31.10 | $248.84 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $38.39 | $307.13 |
Estimated Annual Income by Work Schedule in Niles
Based on $23.68/hr median hourly rate · 2026 est.
At $23.68/hr, a school counselor working full-time (40 hr/wk) in Niles, MI can expect to earn approximately $49,245 per year (2026 est.). Part-time hygienists working 24 hours per week would earn around $28,411. With a cost-of-living index of 92.37 (below the national average), these earnings stretch further in Niles.
Hourly Rate Calculator
Schedule Comparison in Niles
| Schedule | Weekly | Monthly | Annual |
|---|---|---|---|
| Full-Time (40 hrs) | $947.02 | $4,104 | $49,245 |
| Part-Time (24 hrs) | $568.21 | $2,462 | $29,547 |
| Per Diem (16 hrs) | $378.81 | $1,642 | $19,698 |
Compare SC, LSC Wages With Similar Roles
| Role | Median Hourly |
|---|---|
| School Counselor (Niles) | $23.68 |
| 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 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.
School Counselor Hourly Pay vs. Cost of Living
Working 24h/week at $23.68/hr = $29,547/year (purchasing power: $31,988).
Working 40h/week (full-time) = $49,245/year (purchasing power: $53,313).
CoL index: 92.37 (100 = national average). Your dollars stretch further here.
2019 BLS Actual
$25.96/hr
2025 BLS Actual
$23.20/hr
2026 Current Est.
$23.68/hr
2019–2027 Growth
+-6.9%
Hourly Rate Trajectory for School Counselors in Niles (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 2.05% projection.
| Year | Hourly Rate | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $25.96/hr | Actual |
| 2020 | $25.39/hr | Actual |
| 2021 | $22.05/hr | Actual |
| 2022 | $22.73/hr | Actual |
| 2023 | $23.92/hr | Actual |
| 2024 | $26.28/hr | Actual |
| 2025 | $23.20/hr | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $23.68/hr | Estimated |
| 2027 | $24.16/hr | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, the median hourly rate for school counselors in Niles grew -10.6% from $25.96/hr (2019) to $23.20/hr (2025). At a 2.05% projected growth rate, hourly pay is expected to reach $24.16/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 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.
Working as an Hourly School Counselor in Niles
Examining the part-time earnings of a school counselor in Niles working three days a week illuminates the financial realities of this profession. A counselor working 24 hours weekly might expect to take home approximately $29,526 annually, which starkly contrasts with full-time earnings. For per-diem school counselors, particularly those engaged in college admissions consulting, hourly rates can soar to between $150 and $400 in higher-cost living areas. In Niles, variations in hourly compensation exist depending on the type of education employer—public K-12 districts, charter schools, and private institutions can each offer distinct pay scales. Counselors may opt for the lower hourly wages in traditional settings in exchange for benefits like health insurance, while those pursuing higher pay with no benefits must strategically juggle their work. For those negotiating hourly compensation, understanding local salary trends and market demands can provide an advantage in securing fair pay and employment conditions.
More salary data for Niles, MI:
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the hourly rate for school counselors in Niles in 2026?
How much do part-time school counselors make in Niles?
Are school counselors in Niles paid hourly or salary?
How much does a full-time school counselor make per year in Niles?
Do school counselors earn more per hour working part-time in Niles?
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
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 Niles. Part-time and full-time income estimates assume consistent weekly hours and do not account for overtime, benefits, or seasonal variation.
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