School Counselor Pay

Los Angeles vs Perris: School Counselor Salary (2026)

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

Los Angeles, CA
$79,007
$37.98/hr
Perris, CA
$94,555
$45.46/hr

Side-by-Side Comparison

MetricLos Angeles, CAPerris, CA
Median Salary$79,007$94,555
Hourly Rate$37.98$45.46
Entry Level (P10)$49,694$68,007
25th Percentile$60,545$76,318
75th Percentile$109,110$121,031
Top Earner (P90)$135,042$146,561
Total Employed17,11012
Side-by-side bar chart comparing Los Angeles ($79,007) and Perris ($94,555) school counselor salaries.Los AngelesPerrisMedian Salary$79,007$94,555Entry Level (P10)$49,694$68,007Top Earner (P90)$135,042$146,561US Median $64,335

Verdict

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

The salary gap between Los Angeles and Perris is $15,548 (19.68%). Perris's median is +46.97% compared to the US national median of $64,335.

Salary Range Comparison

The full salary range (10th to 90th percentile) in Los Angeles spans $85,348,Perris spans $78,554. Los Angeles has a wider pay range, meaning more potential for high earners but also more variation.

Los Angeles
P10 (Entry)$49,694
P25$60,545
Median$79,007
P75$109,110
P90 (Top)$135,042
Perris
P10 (Entry)$68,007
P25$76,318
Median$94,555
P75$121,031
P90 (Top)$146,561

Cost-of-Living Adjusted Comparison

After cost-of-living adjustment, Perris ($83,603 effective) pays 20.17% more than Los Angeles ($69,569 effective).

Los Angeles
Nominal: $79,007
CoL Index: 113.566
Adjusted: $69,569
Perris
Nominal: $94,555
CoL Index: 113.1
Adjusted: $83,603

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

Which City Is Right for You?

Choose Los Angeles if…

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

Choose Perris if…

  • Higher median salary ($94,555/year)
  • Better top-earner potential ($146,561)
  • Better purchasing power (CoL-adjusted: $83,603)
  • You prefer the California area and lifestyle

Historical Salary Growth Comparison

Based on BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, school counselor salaries in Los Angeles grew -1.9% from 2019 to 2025, compared to -4.8% growth in Perris over the same period.

Los Angeles, CA

+-1.9%

$78,900 (2019) → $77,420 (2025)

Perris, CA

+-4.8%

$97,291 (2024) → $92,656 (2025)

View Full Salary Data

Frequently Asked Questions

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

Perris has a higher median school counselor salary at $94,555/year, compared to Los Angeles at $79,007/year — a difference of $15,548 (19.68%).

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

Los Angeles school counselors earn $37.98/hr while Perris hygienists earn $45.46/hr (2026 est.).

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

Consider more than just salary when comparing Los Angeles and Perris. Factor in cost of living (CoL-adjusted: Los Angeles = $69,569, Perris = $83,603), job availability (17,110 vs 12 employed), commute, and career growth potential.

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

Entry-level (10th percentile) school counselors earn $49,694 in Los Angeles and $68,007 in Perris. The Perris 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