School Counselor Hourly Pay in Compton, CA: $46.06 (2026)
Quick Answer:Hourly pay for a school counselor working in Compton, CA runs $46.06 at the median for 2026 — annualizing to $95,804 at a standard 2,080-hour year. Figures projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 21-1012). Weighted against Compton's regional price level (BEA RPP 113.1, 13% above national), each hour of work buys what $40.72 nationally would. A 24-hour part-time schedule grosses $57,477 per year.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
In Compton, California, school counselors can expect to earn a median hourly pay of $46.06, significantly above the national hourly median of $30.93. This elevated hourly rate is particularly advantageous for part-time professionals working three days per week, allowing them to take home a substantial income while balancing their schedules. Typical counseling settings include elementary classroom guidance lessons, middle school small group sessions, and high school individual counseling offices, as well as college counseling resource rooms. For those considering a per-diem role, the hourly range for school counselors in Compton spans from $30.54 at entry-level positions to $71.39 for more experienced counselors. This projection of hourly rates is derived from annual salary estimates based on data from 2025 BLS, reflecting both the growing scope of school counselor responsibilities and the increasing demand for mental health support in educational environments.
About the Compton 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) | $30.54 | $244.35 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $37.90 | $303.21 |
| Median (P50) | $46.06 | $368.44 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $58.58 | $468.61 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $71.39 | $571.15 |
Estimated Annual Income by Work Schedule in Compton
Based on $46.06/hr median hourly rate · 2026 est.
At $46.06/hr, a school counselor working full-time (40 hr/wk) in Compton, CA can expect to earn approximately $95,795 per year (2026 est.). Part-time hygienists working 24 hours per week would earn around $55,266. With a cost-of-living index of 113.10 (above the national average), these earnings may be offset by higher expenses in Compton.
Hourly Rate Calculator
Schedule Comparison in Compton
| Schedule | Weekly | Monthly | Annual |
|---|---|---|---|
| Full-Time (40 hrs) | $1,842.21 | $7,983 | $95,795 |
| Part-Time (24 hrs) | $1,105.32 | $4,790 | $57,477 |
| Per Diem (16 hrs) | $736.88 | $3,193 | $38,318 |
Compare SC, LSC Wages With Similar Roles
| Role | Median Hourly |
|---|---|
| School Counselor (Compton) | $46.06 |
| 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 Compton, CA earn a median of $95,804 per year (2026 est.), which is 48.91% higher than the national median of $64,335 and 1.00% below the California state average of $96,771.
School Counselor Hourly Pay vs. Cost of Living
Working 24h/week at $46.06/hr = $57,477/year (purchasing power: $50,819).
Working 40h/week (full-time) = $95,795/year (purchasing power: $84,699).
CoL index: 113.1 (100 = national average).
2019 BLS Actual
$40.02/hr
2025 BLS Actual
$45.13/hr
2026 Current Est.
$46.06/hr
2019–2027 Growth
+17.5%
Hourly Rate Trajectory for School Counselors in Compton (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 2.05% projection.
| Year | Hourly Rate | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $40.02/hr | Actual |
| 2020 | $40.77/hr | Actual |
| 2021 | $42.45/hr | Actual |
| 2022 | $42.19/hr | Actual |
| 2023 | $43.29/hr | Actual |
| 2024 | $47.39/hr | Actual |
| 2025 | $45.13/hr | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $46.06/hr | Estimated |
| 2027 | $47.00/hr | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, the median hourly rate for school counselors in Compton grew 12.8% from $40.02/hr (2019) to $45.13/hr (2025). At a 2.05% projected growth rate, hourly pay is expected to reach $47.00/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 Compton 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 Compton
Evaluating the financial implications reveals that a part-time school counselor working 24 hours a week in Compton could bring home a competitive annual salary, though significantly less than full-time counterparts. With part-time roles rising, particularly amidst an expansion in mental health funding following the COVID-19 pandemic, the flexibility of per-diem work becomes enticing. While substitute school counselor coverage is uncommon, those within the private sector, particularly college counselors, can charge between $150 to $400 per hour for direct-pay admissions consulting in high cost-of-living markets. School counselors across various settings such as K-12 public districts, charter schools, and private institutions may find different hourly rates based on their employer's resources. Often, school counselors must weigh the benefits of lower hourly wages that include health insurance against the allure of higher hourly rates without benefits. For prospective and current counselors in Compton, understanding the dynamic between hourly pay and supplemental opportunities like extended school year counseling—potentially adding $5,000 to $15,000 to their base earnings—can provide leverage during negotiations, especially in a market where qualified candidates are still in demand.
More salary data for Compton, CA:
Frequently Asked Questions
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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 Compton. 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 Compton 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