School Counselor Pay

Manteca vs San Francisco: School Counselor Salary (2026)

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

Manteca, CA
$94,563
$45.46/hr
San Francisco, CA
$94,609
$45.48/hr

Side-by-Side Comparison

MetricManteca, CASan Francisco, CA
Median Salary$94,563$94,609
Hourly Rate$45.46$45.48
Entry Level (P10)$68,412$58,015
25th Percentile$76,332$69,936
75th Percentile$121,040$122,031
Top Earner (P90)$146,572$149,993
Total Employed135,270
Side-by-side bar chart comparing Manteca ($94,563) and San Francisco ($94,609) school counselor salaries.MantecaSan FranciscoMedian Salary$94,563$94,609Entry Level (P10)$68,412$58,015Top Earner (P90)$146,572$149,993US Median $64,335

Verdict

San Francisco, CA offers better overall compensation for school counselors, winning 4 out of 4 metrics compared to Manteca.

The salary gap between Manteca and San Francisco is $46 (0.05%). San Francisco's median is +47.06% compared to the US national median of $64,335.

Salary Range Comparison

The full salary range (10th to 90th percentile) in Manteca spans $78,160,San Francisco spans $91,978. San Francisco has a wider pay range, suggesting more variation in pay between entry-level and experienced school counselors.

Manteca
P10 (Entry)$68,412
P25$76,332
Median$94,563
P75$121,040
P90 (Top)$146,572
San Francisco
P10 (Entry)$58,015
P25$69,936
Median$94,609
P75$122,031
P90 (Top)$149,993

Cost-of-Living Adjusted Comparison

After cost-of-living adjustment, Manteca ($83,610 effective) pays 2.17% more than San Francisco ($81,832 effective).

Manteca
Nominal: $94,563
CoL Index: 113.1
Adjusted: $83,610
San Francisco
Nominal: $94,609
CoL Index: 115.613
Adjusted: $81,832

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

Which City Is Right for You?

Choose Manteca if…

  • Better purchasing power (CoL-adjusted: $83,610)
  • You prefer the California area and lifestyle

Choose San Francisco if…

  • Higher median salary ($94,609/year)
  • Better top-earner potential ($149,993)
  • Larger job market (5,270 employed)
  • You prefer the California area and lifestyle

Historical Salary Growth Comparison

Based on BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, school counselor salaries in Manteca grew -4.8% from 2024 to 2025, compared to 26.3% growth in San Francisco over the same period.

Manteca, CA

+-4.8%

$97,299 (2024) → $92,663 (2025)

San Francisco, CA

+26.3%

$73,410 (2019) → $92,708 (2025)

View Full Salary Data

Frequently Asked Questions

Which city pays school counselors more: Manteca or San Francisco?

San Francisco has a higher median school counselor salary at $94,609/year, compared to Manteca at $94,563/year — a difference of $46 (0.05%).

What is the hourly rate difference between Manteca and San Francisco?

Manteca school counselors earn $45.46/hr while San Francisco hygienists earn $45.48/hr (2026 est.).

Should I relocate from Manteca to San Francisco as a school counselor?

Consider more than just salary when comparing Manteca and San Francisco. Factor in cost of living (CoL-adjusted: Manteca = $83,610, San Francisco = $81,832), job availability (13 vs 5,270 employed), commute, and career growth potential.

What do entry-level school counselors earn in Manteca vs San Francisco?

Entry-level (10th percentile) school counselors earn $68,412 in Manteca and $58,015 in San Francisco. The Manteca 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