School Counselor Hourly Pay in Daly City, CA: $47.73 (2026)
Quick Answer:Hourly pay for a school counselor working in Daly City, CA runs $47.73 at the median for 2026 — annualizing to $99,279 at a standard 2,080-hour year. Figures projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 21-1012). Weighted against Daly City's regional price level (BEA RPP 113.1, 13% above national), each hour of work buys what $42.20 nationally would. A 24-hour part-time schedule grosses $59,566 per year.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
In Daly City, California, the current school counselor hourly pay is projected at $47.73, significantly higher than the national hourly median of $30.93. This competitive rate not only highlights the value placed on mental health professionals in education but also affects those working part-time, such as those counseling for three days a week. These positions might include guiding elementary students during classroom lessons, facilitating small group sessions in middle schools, or providing individualized support in high school counseling offices. The hourly pay range for counselors in Daly City spans from approximately $32.06 at entry-level positions to $73.99 for those in senior roles or specialized functions, allowing for various opportunities in different educational settings. It’s important to recognize that these hourly estimates are derived from annual salary data, providing a framework for understanding compensation trends in school counseling.
About the Daly City 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) | $32.06 | $256.51 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $36.94 | $295.54 |
| Median (P50) | $47.73 | $381.83 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $61.10 | $488.78 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $73.99 | $591.89 |
Estimated Annual Income by Work Schedule in Daly City
Based on $47.73/hr median hourly rate · 2026 est.
At $47.73/hr, a school counselor working full-time (40 hr/wk) in Daly City, CA can expect to earn approximately $99,276 per year (2026 est.). Part-time hygienists working 24 hours per week would earn around $57,275. With a cost-of-living index of 113.10 (above the national average), these earnings may be offset by higher expenses in Daly City.
Hourly Rate Calculator
Schedule Comparison in Daly City
| Schedule | Weekly | Monthly | Annual |
|---|---|---|---|
| Full-Time (40 hrs) | $1,909.15 | $8,273 | $99,276 |
| Part-Time (24 hrs) | $1,145.49 | $4,964 | $59,566 |
| Per Diem (16 hrs) | $763.66 | $3,309 | $39,710 |
Compare SC, LSC Wages With Similar Roles
| Role | Median Hourly |
|---|---|
| School Counselor (Daly City) | $47.73 |
| 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 Daly City, CA earn a median of $99,279 per year (2026 est.), which is 54.32% higher than the national median of $64,335 and 2.60% above the California state average of $96,763.
School Counselor Hourly Pay vs. Cost of Living
Working 24h/week at $47.73/hr = $59,566/year (purchasing power: $52,666).
Working 40h/week (full-time) = $99,276/year (purchasing power: $87,777).
CoL index: 113.1 (100 = national average).
2019 BLS Actual
$41.47/hr
2025 BLS Actual
$46.77/hr
2026 Current Est.
$47.73/hr
2019–2027 Growth
+17.5%
Hourly Rate Trajectory for School Counselors in Daly City (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 2.05% projection.
| Year | Hourly Rate | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $41.47/hr | Actual |
| 2020 | $42.26/hr | Actual |
| 2021 | $43.99/hr | Actual |
| 2022 | $43.72/hr | Actual |
| 2023 | $44.87/hr | Actual |
| 2024 | $49.11/hr | Actual |
| 2025 | $46.77/hr | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $47.73/hr | Estimated |
| 2027 | $48.71/hr | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, the median hourly rate for school counselors in Daly City grew 12.8% from $41.47/hr (2019) to $46.77/hr (2025). At a 2.05% projected growth rate, hourly pay is expected to reach $48.71/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 Daly City 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 Daly City
When considering part-time work, a school counselor in Daly City who works three days a week for 24 hours might expect to take home around $61,819 annually compared to the income of a full-time counterpart. The per diem school counselor pay in Daly City can vary widely; while substitute positions are infrequent, per-diem counselors, especially those in private college settings, can charge anywhere from $150 to $400 per hour. For school counselors, additional work during the extended school year can contribute an extra $5,000 to $15,000 to their base earnings. Compensation varies by employer type—K-12 public school districts, charter schools, and private institutions all offer different pay structures. Additionally, some counselors choose lower hourly rates for the security of benefits like health insurance, while others accept higher rates for independent contract work without benefits. Understanding these dynamics is crucial for effective negotiation; knowing the market trends in Daly City can empower school counselors to advocate for themselves in this evolving field.
More salary data for Daly City, 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 Daly City. 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 Daly City 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