School Counselor Hourly Pay in La Habra, CA: $44.90 (2026)
Quick Answer:Hourly pay for a school counselor working in La Habra, CA runs $44.90 at the median for 2026 — annualizing to $93,406 at a standard 2,080-hour year. Figures projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 21-1012). Weighted against La Habra's regional price level (BEA RPP 113.1, 13% above national), each hour of work buys what $39.70 nationally would. A 24-hour part-time schedule grosses $56,038 per year.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
In La Habra, California, school counselors can expect a median hourly pay of $44.90, significantly higher than the national median of $30.93. This competitive rate opens up various opportunities for both part-time and per-diem work within educational settings, such as elementary schools, middle and high school counseling offices, and college resource centers. With an hourly range from $31.57 for entry-level positions to as high as $69.61 for seasoned professionals, this figure reflects the diverse landscape of school counseling where counselors engage in critical roles from crisis intervention to academic guidance. Given the city's unique cost of living, the hourly rates are influenced by the K-12 pay structure, which typically mirrors that of teachers, thereby providing a substantial income potential for those in the profession.
About the La Habra 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) | $31.57 | $252.59 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $35.60 | $284.76 |
| Median (P50) | $44.90 | $359.22 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $57.48 | $459.88 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $69.61 | $556.87 |
Estimated Annual Income by Work Schedule in La Habra
Based on $44.90/hr median hourly rate · 2026 est.
At $44.90/hr, a school counselor working full-time (40 hr/wk) in La Habra, CA can expect to earn approximately $93,396 per year (2026 est.). Part-time hygienists working 24 hours per week would earn around $53,882. With a cost-of-living index of 113.10 (above the national average), these earnings may be offset by higher expenses in La Habra.
Hourly Rate Calculator
Schedule Comparison in La Habra
| Schedule | Weekly | Monthly | Annual |
|---|---|---|---|
| Full-Time (40 hrs) | $1,796.08 | $7,783 | $93,396 |
| Part-Time (24 hrs) | $1,077.65 | $4,670 | $56,038 |
| Per Diem (16 hrs) | $718.43 | $3,113 | $37,358 |
Compare SC, LSC Wages With Similar Roles
| Role | Median Hourly |
|---|---|
| School Counselor (La Habra) | $44.90 |
| 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 La Habra, CA earn a median of $93,406 per year (2026 est.), which is 45.19% higher than the national median of $64,335 and 3.40% below the California state average of $96,694.
School Counselor Hourly Pay vs. Cost of Living
Working 24h/week at $44.90/hr = $56,038/year (purchasing power: $49,547).
Working 40h/week (full-time) = $93,396/year (purchasing power: $82,578).
CoL index: 113.1 (100 = national average).
2019 BLS Actual
$39.01/hr
2025 BLS Actual
$44.00/hr
2026 Current Est.
$44.90/hr
2019–2027 Growth
+17.5%
Hourly Rate Trajectory for School Counselors in La Habra (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 2.05% projection.
| Year | Hourly Rate | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $39.01/hr | Actual |
| 2020 | $39.75/hr | Actual |
| 2021 | $41.39/hr | Actual |
| 2022 | $41.13/hr | Actual |
| 2023 | $42.21/hr | Actual |
| 2024 | $46.21/hr | Actual |
| 2025 | $44.00/hr | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $44.90/hr | Estimated |
| 2027 | $45.82/hr | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, the median hourly rate for school counselors in La Habra grew 12.8% from $39.01/hr (2019) to $44.00/hr (2025). At a 2.05% projected growth rate, hourly pay is expected to reach $45.82/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 La Habra 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 La Habra
Part-time school counselors in La Habra, working three days a week and clocking in around 24 hours, would take home approximately $55,785 annually, a figure that reflects the median hourly rates in the area. For those operating as per-diem counselors, the pay can be more lucrative, as private college counselors often charge between $150 and $400 per hour for specialized services. Summer counseling positions can augment income by adding an additional $5,000 to $15,000 to a base salary, making seasonal work an attractive option. It’s essential to consider the differences in hourly rates based on employer type; for instance, positions in K-12 public schools may offer consistent pay but include benefits, while charter schools and private institutions may present higher pay but reduced job security with fewer benefits. In a market as competitive as La Habra’s, counseling professionals should approach negotiations with a clear understanding of their worth within the educational framework and the broader mental health crisis funding landscape that has expanded post-COVID.
More salary data for La Habra, 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 La Habra. 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 La Habra 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