SalariesByCity
BLS SOC 21-1012 · Michigan · Updated 2026

School Counselor Salary in Detroit, MI

School Counselors in Detroit, MI earn a median of $43,000/year, ranging from $33,110 (25th percentile) to $68,800 (90th percentile). After Michigan state taxes (4.25%) and cost-of-living adjustments (COL index 89), this is equivalent to $48,315 in purchasing power vs the US average.

Median Annual
$43,000
BLS median
Entry Level (P25)
$33,110
25th percentile
Senior (P75)
$55,040
75th percentile
Top Earners (P90)
$68,800
90th percentile

1Salary Distribution in Detroit, MI

P25
P75
P25
$33,110
Median
$43,000
P75
$55,040
P90
$68,800

2Estimated Take-Home & Purchasing Power

Gross Median Salary
$43,000
Before taxes
Est. Take-Home (After Tax)
$38,043
After 4.25% state + ~7.6% FICA
COL-Adjusted Purchasing Power
$42,745
vs US average (COL index: 89)

* Estimates only. Does not include federal income tax, 401k, health insurance, or local taxes. Use the Salary Calculator for a detailed breakdown.

3

How Does Detroit, MI Compare?

Nearby and similar metro areas
CityMedianCOL IndexCOL-Adjusted
Detroit, MI (current)$43,00089$48,315
San Francisco, CA$70,000186$37,634
New York, NY$67,000187$35,829
Seattle, WA$68,000162$41,975
Boston, MA$62,000162$38,272
Austin, TX$56,000124$45,161

4Frequently Asked Questions

What is the average School Counselor salary in Detroit, MI?

The median School Counselor salary in Detroit, MI is $43,000 per year as of 2026 BLS OEWS data. The 25th percentile is $33,110 and the 90th percentile is $68,800.

Is Detroit, MI a good place to work as a School Counselor?

Detroit, MI has a cost of living index of 89 (US average = 100). After adjusting for cost of living, a $43,000 School Counselor salary in Detroit, MI is equivalent to $48,315 in purchasing power compared to the US average.

What is the cost of living adjustment for Detroit, MI?

Detroit, MI has a cost of living index of 89, meaning it is 11% less expensive than the US average. The state income tax rate in Michigan is approximately 4.25%.

What is the School Counselor salary range in Detroit, MI?

In Detroit, MI, School Counselors earn between $33,110 (25th percentile) and $68,800 (90th percentile), with a median of $43,000 per year.

How many School Counselor jobs are there in Detroit, MI?

According to BLS OEWS data, there are approximately 37,500 School Counselor positions in the Detroit, MI metropolitan area.

What do School Counselors earn in Detroit, MI?

Based on BLS OEWS 2026 data, School Counselors in Detroit, MI earn a median annual wage of $43,000. The middle 50% earn between $33,110 and $55,040. The top 10% earn more than $68,800. There are approximately 37,500 School Counselors employed in the Detroit, MI metro area, with annual job growth estimated at 2.8%.

Is Detroit, MI a good place for a School Counselor?

Detroit, MI has a cost of living index of 89 (US average = 100), making it 11% less expensive than the national average. After adjusting for cost of living, a School Counselor in Detroit, MI earning $43,000has the equivalent purchasing power of $48,315 relative to the US median. Michigan has a state income tax rate of approximately 4.25%.

What is the cost of living adjustment for Detroit, MI?

Detroit, MI's cost of living index is 89, based on composite data including housing, food, transportation, healthcare, and utilities. This means that $43,000 in Detroit, MIhas the same purchasing power as $48,315 in a city at exactly the US average cost of living. Housing is typically the largest driver of cost of living differences between metros.

Compare Detroit, MI with Another City

See a detailed side-by-side comparison of salary, taxes, and purchasing power.

Data source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS) Program. All figures are approximate annual estimates based on the most recent available BLS data. Actual salaries may vary based on experience, education, employer size, and specific role. Cost-of-living data represents composite indices from publicly available metropolitan area data.