School Counselor Pay

Chino vs Los Angeles: School Counselor Salary (2026)

Compare school counselor salaries between Chino, CA and Los Angeles, CA. All figures are 2026 estimates projected from BLS 2025 data.

Chino, CA
$97,804
$47.02/hr
Los Angeles, CA
$79,007
$37.98/hr

Side-by-Side Comparison

MetricChino, CALos Angeles, CA
Median Salary$97,804$79,007
Hourly Rate$47.02$37.98
Entry Level (P10)$68,128$49,694
25th Percentile$77,053$60,545
75th Percentile$124,701$109,110
Top Earner (P90)$151,595$135,042
Total Employed1717,110
Side-by-side bar chart comparing Chino ($97,804) and Los Angeles ($79,007) school counselor salaries.ChinoLos AngelesMedian Salary$97,804$79,007Entry Level (P10)$68,128$49,694Top Earner (P90)$151,595$135,042US Median $64,335

Verdict

Chino, CA offers better overall compensation for school counselors, winning 3 out of 4 metrics compared to Los Angeles.

The salary gap between Chino and Los Angeles is $18,797 (23.79%). Chino's median is +52.02% compared to the US national median of $64,335.

Salary Range Comparison

The full salary range (10th to 90th percentile) in Chino spans $83,467,Los Angeles spans $85,348. Los Angeles has a wider pay range, suggesting more variation in pay between entry-level and experienced school counselors.

Chino
P10 (Entry)$68,128
P25$77,053
Median$97,804
P75$124,701
P90 (Top)$151,595
Los Angeles
P10 (Entry)$49,694
P25$60,545
Median$79,007
P75$109,110
P90 (Top)$135,042

Cost-of-Living Adjusted Comparison

After cost-of-living adjustment, Chino ($86,476 effective) pays 24.30% more than Los Angeles ($69,569 effective).

Chino
Nominal: $97,804
CoL Index: 113.1
Adjusted: $86,476
Los Angeles
Nominal: $79,007
CoL Index: 113.566
Adjusted: $69,569

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

Which City Is Right for You?

Choose Chino if…

  • Higher median salary ($97,804/year)
  • Better top-earner potential ($151,595)
  • Better purchasing power (CoL-adjusted: $86,476)
  • You prefer the California area and lifestyle

Choose Los Angeles if…

  • Larger job market (17,110 employed)
  • You prefer the California area and lifestyle

Historical Salary Growth Comparison

Based on BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, school counselor salaries in Chino grew -4.8% from 2024 to 2025, compared to -1.9% growth in Los Angeles over the same period.

Chino, CA

+-4.8%

$100,633 (2024) → $95,839 (2025)

Los Angeles, CA

+-1.9%

$78,900 (2019) → $77,420 (2025)

View Full Salary Data

Frequently Asked Questions

Which city pays school counselors more: Chino or Los Angeles?

Chino has a higher median school counselor salary at $97,804/year, compared to Los Angeles at $79,007/year — a difference of $18,797 (23.79%).

What is the hourly rate difference between Chino and Los Angeles?

Chino school counselors earn $47.02/hr while Los Angeles hygienists earn $37.98/hr (2026 est.).

Should I relocate from Chino to Los Angeles as a school counselor?

Consider more than just salary when comparing Chino and Los Angeles. Factor in cost of living (CoL-adjusted: Chino = $86,476, Los Angeles = $69,569), job availability (17 vs 17,110 employed), commute, and career growth potential.

What do entry-level school counselors earn in Chino vs Los Angeles?

Entry-level (10th percentile) school counselors earn $68,128 in Chino and $49,694 in Los Angeles. The Chino 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