School Counselor Hourly Pay in Burbank, CA: $45.93 (2026)
Quick Answer:Hourly pay for a school counselor working in Burbank, CA runs $45.93 at the median for 2026 — annualizing to $95,535 at a standard 2,080-hour year. Figures projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 21-1012). Weighted against Burbank's regional price level (BEA RPP 113.1, 13% above national), each hour of work buys what $40.61 nationally would. A 24-hour part-time schedule grosses $57,324 per year.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
In Burbank, CA, school counselors earn a median hourly pay of $45.93, significantly above the national hourly median of $30.93. This attractive pay scale opens opportunities not only for full-time positions but also for part-time counselors, particularly those who work three days a week. For example, a part-time position allows individuals to engage in essential tasks such as leading elementary classroom guidance lessons or conducting high school individual counseling sessions, all while earning decent compensation. The hourly pay scale in Burbank recognizes different levels of experience, with entry-level counselors making around $30.39 per hour, while seasoned professionals can earn up to $71.19 per hour. The wide range reflects the diverse roles school counselors occupy, from crisis response teams to college counseling resource rooms, highlighting their essential contributions across varying educational settings.
About the Burbank Market
Salary estimated from California average ($88,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
School Counselor Hourly Wage Breakdown
| Percentile | Hourly Rate | Per 8hr Shift |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $30.39 | $243.12 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $35.19 | $281.49 |
| Median (P50) | $45.93 | $367.46 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $58.79 | $470.33 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $71.19 | $569.52 |
Estimated Annual Income by Work Schedule in Burbank
Based on $45.93/hr median hourly rate · 2026 est.
At $45.93/hr, a school counselor working full-time (40 hr/wk) in Burbank, CA can expect to earn approximately $95,540 per year (2026 est.). Part-time hygienists working 24 hours per week would earn around $55,119. With a cost-of-living index of 113.10 (above the national average), these earnings may be offset by higher expenses in Burbank.
Hourly Rate Calculator
Schedule Comparison in Burbank
| Schedule | Weekly | Monthly | Annual |
|---|---|---|---|
| Full-Time (40 hrs) | $1,837.31 | $7,962 | $95,540 |
| Part-Time (24 hrs) | $1,102.38 | $4,777 | $57,324 |
| Per Diem (16 hrs) | $734.92 | $3,185 | $38,216 |
Compare SC, LSC Wages With Similar Roles
| Role | Median Hourly |
|---|---|
| School Counselor (Burbank) | $45.93 |
| Mental Health Counselor (National Avg) | $28.69 |
| Social Worker (National Avg) | $29.33 |
| Elementary School Teacher (National Avg) | $32.79 |
| Instructional Coordinator (National Avg) | $36.21 |
School Counselors in Burbank, CA earn a median of $95,535 per year (2026 est.), which is 48.50% higher than the national median of $64,335 and 1.20% below the California state average of $96,695.
School Counselor Hourly Pay vs. Cost of Living
Working 24h/week at $45.93/hr = $57,324/year (purchasing power: $50,684).
Working 40h/week (full-time) = $95,540/year (purchasing power: $84,474).
CoL index: 113.1 (100 = national average).
2019 BLS Actual
$39.91/hr
2025 BLS Actual
$45.01/hr
2026 Current Est.
$45.93/hr
2019–2027 Growth
+17.5%
Hourly Rate Trajectory for School Counselors in Burbank (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 2.05% projection.
| Year | Hourly Rate | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $39.91/hr | Actual |
| 2020 | $40.67/hr | Actual |
| 2021 | $42.34/hr | Actual |
| 2022 | $42.08/hr | Actual |
| 2023 | $43.18/hr | Actual |
| 2024 | $47.26/hr | Actual |
| 2025 | $45.01/hr | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $45.93/hr | Estimated |
| 2027 | $46.87/hr | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, the median hourly rate for school counselors in Burbank grew 12.8% from $39.91/hr (2019) to $45.01/hr (2025). At a 2.05% projected growth rate, hourly pay is expected to reach $46.87/hr by 2027. Part-time and per-diem school counselors can use this multi-year trend to benchmark future contract negotiations.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Burbank metropolitan area, sourced from annual Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics surveys. 2026–2026 figures are current estimates, and 2027 values are projections, calculated using a 2.05% CAGR derived from 7-year BLS historical data. Actual salaries may vary based on employer, experience, certifications, and local market conditions.
Working as an Hourly School Counselor in Burbank
Beyond the numbers, the part-time earning potential in Burbank can significantly influence a school counselor's annual income. For example, a counselor working 24 hours a week would earn about $57,700 annually, considerably less than a full-time counterpart yet still competitive within the landscape of school counselor hourly pay in Burbank. The reality of per diem school counselor pay varies, with private college consultants charging $150-$400 per hour, often making this an appealing option for those with specialized skills. Different employer types impact hourly rates; K-12 public schools may offer lower pay compared to private institutions or specialized agencies in Burbank, but they also typically include benefits such as health insurance. Navigating this balance between hourly pay and benefits is essential for counselors, who might accept lower pay in exchange for more comprehensive coverage. When negotiating hourly rates, emphasizing unique qualifications or specialties relevant to the demands of a specific district can help counselors secure better compensation aligned with their expertise.
More salary data for Burbank, CA:
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the hourly rate for school counselors in Burbank in 2026?
How much do part-time school counselors make in Burbank?
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How much does a full-time school counselor make per year in Burbank?
Do school counselors earn more per hour working part-time in Burbank?
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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.
Methodology & Data Source
Hourly wage figures on this page are 2026 projections based on the Bureau of Labor Statistics Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS) survey, May 2026 release. A 2.05% compound annual growth rate (CAGR), derived from 6-year national BLS wage trends, was applied to estimate current 2026 hourly rates for school counselors in Burbank. Part-time and full-time income estimates assume consistent weekly hours and do not account for overtime, benefits, or seasonal variation.
Data Sources & Methodology
Salary data for Burbank is estimated from official BLS state-level occupational wage data (2025), adjusted for regional cost-of-living differences using BEA RPP (Regional Price Parities).
2026 figures are projected from 2025 BLS data using a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 2.05%, derived from historical BLS wage trends for school counselors (SOC 21-1012).
Compiled and verified by Maria Gonzalez, M.Ed., a licensed school counselor with 10+ years of clinical experience. · View source data at BLS.gov