School Counselor Hourly Pay in Hawthorne, CA: $45.95 (2026)
Quick Answer:Hourly pay for a school counselor working in Hawthorne, CA runs $45.95 at the median for 2026 — annualizing to $95,574 at a standard 2,080-hour year. Figures projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 21-1012). Weighted against Hawthorne's regional price level (BEA RPP 113.1, 13% above national), each hour of work buys what $40.63 nationally would. A 24-hour part-time schedule grosses $57,349 per year.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
In Hawthorne, CA, the projected hourly pay for school counselors is $45.95, which significantly exceeds the national median hourly rate of $30.93. This higher hourly rate translates to attractive possibilities for those working part-time or per diem, enabling counselors to earn competitive wages while managing their schedules. For example, a school counselor working three days a week, typically in various settings like elementary classrooms, middle schools for small group counseling, or high school counseling offices, can benefit greatly from the higher hourly rates. The hourly wage spectrum in Hawthorne ranges from $30.34 for entry-level positions to up to $71.22 for experienced professionals, reflecting the diversity in roles and responsibilities supported by nationwide data derived from 2025 figures projected to 2026.
About the Hawthorne 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) | $30.34 | $242.72 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $37.68 | $301.41 |
| Median (P50) | $45.95 | $367.62 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $58.27 | $466.16 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $71.22 | $569.77 |
Estimated Annual Income by Work Schedule in Hawthorne
Based on $45.95/hr median hourly rate · 2026 est.
At $45.95/hr, a school counselor working full-time (40 hr/wk) in Hawthorne, CA can expect to earn approximately $95,582 per year (2026 est.). Part-time hygienists working 24 hours per week would earn around $55,144. With a cost-of-living index of 113.10 (above the national average), these earnings may be offset by higher expenses in Hawthorne.
Hourly Rate Calculator
Schedule Comparison in Hawthorne
| Schedule | Weekly | Monthly | Annual |
|---|---|---|---|
| Full-Time (40 hrs) | $1,838.12 | $7,965 | $95,582 |
| Part-Time (24 hrs) | $1,102.87 | $4,779 | $57,349 |
| Per Diem (16 hrs) | $735.25 | $3,186 | $38,233 |
Compare SC, LSC Wages With Similar Roles
| Role | Median Hourly |
|---|---|
| School Counselor (Hawthorne) | $45.95 |
| 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 Hawthorne, CA earn a median of $95,574 per year (2026 est.), which is 48.56% higher than the national median of $64,335 and 1.20% below the California state average of $96,735.
School Counselor Hourly Pay vs. Cost of Living
Working 24h/week at $45.95/hr = $57,349/year (purchasing power: $50,707).
Working 40h/week (full-time) = $95,582/year (purchasing power: $84,511).
CoL index: 113.1 (100 = national average).
2019 BLS Actual
$39.93/hr
2025 BLS Actual
$45.03/hr
2026 Current Est.
$45.95/hr
2019–2027 Growth
+17.5%
Hourly Rate Trajectory for School Counselors in Hawthorne (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 2.05% projection.
| Year | Hourly Rate | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $39.93/hr | Actual |
| 2020 | $40.68/hr | Actual |
| 2021 | $42.36/hr | Actual |
| 2022 | $42.10/hr | Actual |
| 2023 | $43.20/hr | Actual |
| 2024 | $47.28/hr | Actual |
| 2025 | $45.03/hr | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $45.95/hr | Estimated |
| 2027 | $46.90/hr | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, the median hourly rate for school counselors in Hawthorne grew 12.8% from $39.93/hr (2019) to $45.03/hr (2025). At a 2.05% projected growth rate, hourly pay is expected to reach $46.90/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 Hawthorne 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 Hawthorne
When considering part-time work, a school counselor in Hawthorne, with a typical schedule of 24 hours per week, could expect to take home roughly $57,000 annually, a figure that reflects a sizeable income for a part-time position. The per diem environment for school counseling, while less common, is lucrative; those providing private college counseling services can charge anywhere from $150 to $400 per hour. This sector often allows for substantial additional income, especially during an extended school year or summer sessions, which can add $5,000 to $15,000 yearly. Hourly rates may vary based on the type of employer, with K-12 public schools generally offering structured salaries based on a step-and-lane pay scale similar to teachers, while private institutions and post-secondary roles might provide more flexibility in pay. School counselors weighing the benefits must consider the trade-off between lower hourly rates with comprehensive health insurance versus higher rates without benefits, navigating their needs against Hawthorne's competitive job market. Negotiating hourly rates typically involves a thorough understanding of local pay standards while emphasizing unique qualifications relevant to the school counseling role.
More salary data for Hawthorne, 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 Hawthorne. 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 Hawthorne 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