School Counselor Hourly Pay in Manteca, CA: $45.46 (2026)
Quick Answer:Hourly pay for a school counselor working in Manteca, CA runs $45.46 at the median for 2026 — annualizing to $94,563 at a standard 2,080-hour year. Figures projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 21-1012). Weighted against Manteca's regional price level (BEA RPP 113.1, 13% above national), each hour of work buys what $40.20 nationally would. A 24-hour part-time schedule grosses $56,738 per year.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
In Manteca, California, the school counselor hourly pay is projected to be $45.46 in 2026, significantly above the national median rate of $30.93 per hour. This represents a substantial opportunity for both part-time and per-diem workers in the school counseling fields. Counselors who work three days a week typically engage in a variety of activities, including individual counseling in high school offices, small group sessions in middle schools, and guidance lessons in elementary settings. The hourly pay ranges from $32.89 for entry-level positions to $70.47 for top earners, reflecting the diverse experiences and roles within the profession. These hourly rates are estimates extrapolated from projected annual salaries, underscoring the competitive nature of school counseling jobs in the region.
About the Manteca 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) | $32.89 | $263.13 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $36.70 | $293.58 |
| Median (P50) | $45.46 | $363.71 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $58.19 | $465.51 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $70.47 | $563.72 |
Estimated Annual Income by Work Schedule in Manteca
Based on $45.46/hr median hourly rate · 2026 est.
At $45.46/hr, a school counselor working full-time (40 hr/wk) in Manteca, CA can expect to earn approximately $94,564 per year (2026 est.). Part-time hygienists working 24 hours per week would earn around $54,556. With a cost-of-living index of 113.10 (above the national average), these earnings may be offset by higher expenses in Manteca.
Hourly Rate Calculator
Schedule Comparison in Manteca
| Schedule | Weekly | Monthly | Annual |
|---|---|---|---|
| Full-Time (40 hrs) | $1,818.53 | $7,880 | $94,564 |
| Part-Time (24 hrs) | $1,091.12 | $4,728 | $56,738 |
| Per Diem (16 hrs) | $727.41 | $3,152 | $37,825 |
Compare SC, LSC Wages With Similar Roles
| Role | Median Hourly |
|---|---|
| School Counselor (Manteca) | $45.46 |
| 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 Manteca, CA earn a median of $94,563 per year (2026 est.), which is 46.99% higher than the national median of $64,335 and 2.20% below the California state average of $96,690.
School Counselor Hourly Pay vs. Cost of Living
Working 24h/week at $45.46/hr = $56,738/year (purchasing power: $50,166).
Working 40h/week (full-time) = $94,564/year (purchasing power: $83,611).
CoL index: 113.1 (100 = national average).
2019 BLS Actual
$39.50/hr
2025 BLS Actual
$44.55/hr
2026 Current Est.
$45.46/hr
2019–2027 Growth
+17.5%
Hourly Rate Trajectory for School Counselors in Manteca (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 2.05% projection.
| Year | Hourly Rate | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $39.50/hr | Actual |
| 2020 | $40.25/hr | Actual |
| 2021 | $41.90/hr | Actual |
| 2022 | $41.65/hr | Actual |
| 2023 | $42.74/hr | Actual |
| 2024 | $46.78/hr | Actual |
| 2025 | $44.55/hr | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $45.46/hr | Estimated |
| 2027 | $46.40/hr | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, the median hourly rate for school counselors in Manteca grew 12.8% from $39.50/hr (2019) to $44.55/hr (2025). At a 2.05% projected growth rate, hourly pay is expected to reach $46.40/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 Manteca 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 Manteca
When it comes to the earning potential for part-time school counselors, working a 24-hour week translates to about $56,614 annually, which, while lower than full-time earnings, can still provide a reasonable income, especially considering local costs. For those seeking more flexible arrangements, per-diem options can vary widely; private college counselors often set rates between $150 and $400 an hour in high-cost areas. Additionally, various employment types impact hourly compensation, with public K-12 districts typically offering stable pay within the step-and-lane framework, while charter and private schools may provide higher hourly rates without benefits. This negotiation landscape encourages some school counselors to accept lower hourly rates in exchange for health insurance, which can be critical depending on individual circumstances. Counselors in Manteca should carefully consider these factors when evaluating job offers, ensuring they find a balance that meets both their financial and professional needs.
More salary data for Manteca, 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 Manteca. 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 Manteca 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