School Counselor Hourly Pay in El Centro, CA: $68.17 (2026)
Quick Answer:Hourly pay for a school counselor working in El Centro, CA runs $68.17 at the median for 2026 — annualizing to $141,773 at a standard 2,080-hour year. Figures projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 21-1012). Weighted against El Centro's regional price level (BEA RPP 95.2, 5% below national), each hour of work buys what $71.63 nationally would. A 24-hour part-time schedule grosses $85,075 per year.
Official BLS data · View source
In El Centro, CA, the school counselor hourly pay averages $68.17/hr, a figure significantly higher than the national median of $30.93/hr, reflecting the localized demand for professionals in this critical educational role. For part-time school counselors working approximately three days per week, this impressive rate translates into a lucrative compensation package, especially in settings like elementary classroom guidance lessons and high school individual counseling offices. The hourly pay range for school counselors in this area spans from $31.75 (P10) at the entry-level to $83.85 (P90) for top earners, providing various earning opportunities depending on experience and specialization. This compelling data, based on 2025 BLS OEWS data projected to 2026, highlights the value placed on comprehensive mental health and guidance support in our educational institutions.
School Counselor Hourly Wage Breakdown
| Percentile | Hourly Rate | Per 8hr Shift |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $31.75 | $253.98 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $46.24 | $369.91 |
| Median (P50) | $68.17 | $545.36 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $83.85 | $670.84 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $83.85 | $670.84 |
Estimated Annual Income by Work Schedule in El Centro
Based on $68.17/hr median hourly rate · 2026 est.
At $68.17/hr, a school counselor working full-time (40 hr/wk) in El Centro, CA can expect to earn approximately $141,792 per year (2026 est.). Part-time hygienists working 24 hours per week would earn around $81,803. With a cost-of-living index of 95.17 (below the national average), these earnings stretch further in El Centro.
Hourly Rate Calculator
Schedule Comparison in El Centro
| Schedule | Weekly | Monthly | Annual |
|---|---|---|---|
| Full-Time (40 hrs) | $2,726.78 | $11,816 | $141,792 |
| Part-Time (24 hrs) | $1,636.07 | $7,090 | $85,075 |
| Per Diem (16 hrs) | $1,090.71 | $4,726 | $56,717 |
Compare SC, LSC Wages With Similar Roles
| Role | Median Hourly |
|---|---|
| School Counselor (El Centro) | $68.17 |
| 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 El Centro, CA earn a median of $141,773 per year (2026 est.), which is 120.37% higher than the national median of $64,335 and 46.60% above the California state average of $96,707.
School Counselor Hourly Pay vs. Cost of Living
Working 24h/week at $68.17/hr = $85,075/year (purchasing power: $89,389).
Working 40h/week (full-time) = $141,792/year (purchasing power: $148,982).
CoL index: 95.174 (100 = national average). Your dollars stretch further here.
2019 BLS Actual
$43.12/hr
2025 BLS Actual
$66.80/hr
2026 Current Est.
$68.17/hr
2019–2027 Growth
+61.3%
Hourly Rate Trajectory for School Counselors in El Centro (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 2.05% projection.
| Year | Hourly Rate | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $43.12/hr | Actual |
| 2020 | $46.19/hr | Actual |
| 2021 | $35.47/hr | Actual |
| 2022 | $36.61/hr | Actual |
| 2023 | $51.92/hr | Actual |
| 2024 | $64.82/hr | Actual |
| 2025 | $66.80/hr | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $68.17/hr | Estimated |
| 2027 | $69.57/hr | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, the median hourly rate for school counselors in El Centro grew 54.9% from $43.12/hr (2019) to $66.80/hr (2025). At a 2.05% projected growth rate, hourly pay is expected to reach $69.57/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 El Centro 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 El Centro
For those considering part-time opportunities, a school counselor working three days a week, totaling around 24 hours, would earn over $84,000 annually, a figure well above many other professions in the region. The varied nature of the per diem school counselor pay in El Centro presents diverse employment realities; while school districts typically adhere to established pay scales, private practice or consulting roles can command $150-$400/hr, particularly for college admissions guidance in high-cost metropolitan areas. The trade-offs between accepting job offers from K-12 public schools versus private institutions often hinge on benefits versus hourly rates — full-time positions usually provide health insurance and retirement plans, whereas higher-paid per diem roles lack such security. Counselors should leverage their expertise and understanding of local market dynamics when negotiating pay, particularly considering the post-COVID expansion in mental health funding, which has led to hiring increases across many districts, in adherence to ASCA's recommended ratios.
More salary data for El Centro, 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 El Centro. Part-time and full-time income estimates assume consistent weekly hours and do not account for overtime, benefits, or seasonal variation.
Data Sources & Methodology
Source: BLS, OEWS, 7-year dataset (–). Per-city data from annual BLS metropolitan area surveys.
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