School Counselor Pay

Beaumont vs San Diego: School Counselor Salary (2026)

Compare school counselor salaries between Beaumont, CA and San Diego, CA. All figures are 2026 estimates projected from BLS 2025 data.

Beaumont, CA
$93,996
$45.19/hr
San Diego, CA
$83,528
$40.16/hr

Side-by-Side Comparison

MetricBeaumont, CASan Diego, CA
Median Salary$93,996$83,528
Hourly Rate$45.19$40.16
Entry Level (P10)$66,726$52,505
25th Percentile$75,208$64,985
75th Percentile$120,315$118,321
Top Earner (P90)$145,694$134,202
Total Employed93,900
Side-by-side bar chart comparing Beaumont ($93,996) and San Diego ($83,528) school counselor salaries.BeaumontSan DiegoMedian Salary$93,996$83,528Entry Level (P10)$66,726$52,505Top Earner (P90)$145,694$134,202US Median $64,335

Verdict

Beaumont, CA offers better overall compensation for school counselors, winning 3 out of 4 metrics compared to San Diego.

The salary gap between Beaumont and San Diego is $10,468 (12.53%). Beaumont's median is +46.10% compared to the US national median of $64,335.

Salary Range Comparison

The full salary range (10th to 90th percentile) in Beaumont spans $78,968,San Diego spans $81,697. San Diego has a wider pay range, suggesting more variation in pay between entry-level and experienced school counselors.

Beaumont
P10 (Entry)$66,726
P25$75,208
Median$93,996
P75$120,315
P90 (Top)$145,694
San Diego
P10 (Entry)$52,505
P25$64,985
Median$83,528
P75$118,321
P90 (Top)$134,202

Cost-of-Living Adjusted Comparison

After cost-of-living adjustment, Beaumont ($83,109 effective) pays 11.33% more than San Diego ($74,654 effective).

Beaumont
Nominal: $93,996
CoL Index: 113.1
Adjusted: $83,109
San Diego
Nominal: $83,528
CoL Index: 111.887
Adjusted: $74,654

Cost-of-living adjustment: salary × (100 / CoL index). Index of 100 = national average.

Which City Is Right for You?

Choose Beaumont if…

  • Higher median salary ($93,996/year)
  • Better top-earner potential ($145,694)
  • Better purchasing power (CoL-adjusted: $83,109)
  • You prefer the California area and lifestyle

Choose San Diego if…

  • Larger job market (3,900 employed)
  • You prefer the California area and lifestyle

Historical Salary Growth Comparison

Based on BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, school counselor salaries in Beaumont grew -4.8% from 2024 to 2025, compared to 23.2% growth in San Diego over the same period.

Beaumont, CA

+-4.8%

$96,716 (2024) → $92,108 (2025)

San Diego, CA

+23.2%

$66,420 (2019) → $81,850 (2025)

View Full Salary Data

Frequently Asked Questions

Which city pays school counselors more: Beaumont or San Diego?

Beaumont has a higher median school counselor salary at $93,996/year, compared to San Diego at $83,528/year — a difference of $10,468 (12.53%).

What is the hourly rate difference between Beaumont and San Diego?

Beaumont school counselors earn $45.19/hr while San Diego hygienists earn $40.16/hr (2026 est.).

Should I relocate from Beaumont to San Diego as a school counselor?

Consider more than just salary when comparing Beaumont and San Diego. Factor in cost of living (CoL-adjusted: Beaumont = $83,109, San Diego = $74,654), job availability (9 vs 3,900 employed), commute, and career growth potential.

What do entry-level school counselors earn in Beaumont vs San Diego?

Entry-level (10th percentile) school counselors earn $66,726 in Beaumont and $52,505 in San Diego. The Beaumont area offers higher starting salaries.

Related Comparisons

MG

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.

Clinically reviewed by James Patel, M.A.Data verified by Linda Chen, LPC

Methodology & Data Source

All salary figures are 2026 projections based on BLS OEWS May 2025 data. A 2.05% CAGR (derived from 6-year national BLS trends) was applied to estimate current compensation. Cost-of-living adjustments use BEA Regional Price Parity data. Actual salaries vary by employer, certifications, and experience.

Data Sources & Methodology

Source: BLS, OEWS , released .

Compiled and verified by Maria Gonzalez, M.Ed., a licensed school counselor with 10+ years of clinical experience. · View source data at BLS.gov