School Counselor Salary in Holland, MI: $55,324 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time school counselor in Holland, MI earns a median $55,324/year (≈ $26.59/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 21-1012). Once you factor in Holland's price level (7% below national, BEA RPP 93.2), that paycheck buys what $59,361 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 4.4% below the Michigan state average.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
In 2026, school counselors in Holland, Michigan, are pegged to earn a median annual salary of $55,324, which is notably lower than the national median of $64,335. The local salary range spans from $40,817 at the 10th percentile to $85,753 at the 90th percentile, reflecting the tiered pay scale typical in K-12 educational settings. These figures are derived from estimates based on 2025 BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS) data, adjusted for regional cost of living, which stands at a relatively low index of 93.2. For counselors holding master's degrees or those with additional educational credentials, placement on the district’s pay scale further influences compensation, driving both median and potential earnings upward within the bounds of the local market.
About the Holland Market
Salary estimated from Michigan average ($66,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $40,817 | $19.62 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $45,188 | $21.73 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $55,324 | $26.59 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $70,336 | $33.82 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $85,753 | $41.23 |
Median Salary Position
14.01% below the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Holland
In Holland, MI, the school counselor salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $44,936 (2026 est.). At $55,324, the local median is 14.01% below the national median of $64,335.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in Holland: You'd be in the lower-middle range
How Holland School Counselor Pay Compares
Holland median: $55,324/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Holland Pays |
|---|---|---|
| Michigan Average | $57,871 | -4.40% less |
| National Average | $64,335 | -14.01% less |
School Counselors in Holland, MI earn a median of $55,324 per year (2026 est.), which is 14.01% lower than the national median of $64,335 and 4.40% below the Michigan state average of $57,871.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Holland 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.
Holland, MI has a cost-of-living index of 93.2 (below the national average of 100). A school counselor earning $55,324 nominally has purchasing power equivalent to $59,361 in an average-cost city — an effective 7.3% boost.
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2019 BLS Actual
$48,069
2025 BLS Actual
$54,213
2026 Current Est.
$55,324
2019–2027 Growth
+17.5%
Salary Trajectory for School Counselors in Holland (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 2.05% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $48,069 | Actual |
| 2020 | $48,980 | Actual |
| 2021 | $50,994 | Actual |
| 2022 | $50,682 | Actual |
| 2023 | $52,005 | Actual |
| 2024 | $58,781 | Actual |
| 2025 | $54,213 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $55,324 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $56,459 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Holland metropolitan area, the median school counselor salary grew 12.8% from $48,069 (2019) to $54,213 (2025). At a 2.05% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $56,459 by 2027 — a total increase of $8,390 (17.45%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Holland 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) | $40,817 – $45,188 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $45,188 – $55,324 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $55,324 – $70,336 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $70,336 – $85,753 |
SC, LSC salary ranges estimated from BLS percentile data. Individual school counselor compensation varies by employer, certifications, and specialization.
School Counselor Job Market in Holland
The job market for school counselors in Holland is relatively small, with only five professionals employed in this area. Given the cost of living index of 93.2, it becomes critical for counselors to understand how take-home pay is affected by local economic conditions. Among local employers, K-12 public school districts typically offer the most competitive salaries, with pay guided by years of experience and educational attainment, as well as additional responsibilities such as department leadership or extracurricular advising roles that can enrich total compensation. As the field adjusts to higher counselor-to-student ratios post-COVID, opportunities for additional hiring could present upward pressure on salaries. Counselors looking to maximize their pay should consider advancing their education to the master’s+30 level or pursuing supplemental roles that enhance their portfolio and distinguish them in this concentrated job market.
More salary data for Holland, 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 $54,213 for school counselorsin the Holland 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 Holland 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