verified BLS-Verified Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) May 2025 release

School Counselor Salary in California

Median Annual in California
$86,500/yr
Median Hourly Wage
$41.59/hr
▲ 34% above U.S. median

Salary Distribution in California

groups Employed in CA
45,140
public U.S. Median
$64,330
savings Real pay (cost-adjusted)
$78,125 #3 of 51

School Counselor pay in California, explained

School counselors in California earn a median of $86,500 per year ($41.59 per hour), which is 34% above the national median of $64,330. Entry-level workers earn around $51,890, while the most experienced school counselors reach about $136,660. Pay varies by employer, setting, and metro area within California.

Is $86,500 good pay in California?

Adjusted for California's cost of living (which runs 111% of the U.S. average), that $86,500 is worth about $78,125 in national buying power — ranking California #3 for real pay (vs #1 on the sticker number).

See the full School Counselor Real Pay Index arrow_forward

School Counselor pay by experience in California

Entry level (10th pct)
$51,890
$24.95/hr
Median
Mid-career (50th pct)
$86,500
$41.59/hr
Experienced (90th pct)
$136,660
$65.70/hr

School Counselor pay in neighboring states

StateMedian / yrReal payvs CA
California (here) $86,500 $78,125
Nevada $66,710 $66,724 +$19,790
Oregon $66,690 $64,521 +$19,810
Arizona $58,250 $57,858 +$28,250

School Counselor in California: FAQ

How much do school counselors make in California?

School counselors in California earn a median of $86,500 per year ($41.59 per hour), compared with $64,330 nationally.

Does California pay school counselors well?

At $86,500, California pays 34% above the national median for school counselors. An estimated 45,140 work in the state.

School Counselor salary in other states

All 51 states ranked arrow_forward

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