School Counselor Hourly Pay in Merced, CA: $39.91 (2026)
Quick Answer:Hourly pay for a school counselor working in Merced, CA runs $39.91 at the median for 2026 — annualizing to $83,028 at a standard 2,080-hour year. Figures projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 21-1012). Weighted against Merced's regional price level (BEA RPP 98.3, 2% below national), each hour of work buys what $40.61 nationally would. A 24-hour part-time schedule grosses $49,810 per year.
Official BLS data · View source
In Merced, California, school counselors earn a median hourly rate of $39.91, significantly higher than the national median of $30.93. This favorable hourly pay gives those in the profession a solid platform for part-time work or per-diem engagement across various educational settings such as elementary guidance programs or high school counseling offices. Entry-level counselors may start around $26.29 per hour, while experienced professionals can earn upwards of $62.81. The official Bureau of Labor Statistics' data reflects the diverse landscape of counseling roles, from classroom guidance lessons to crisis management. As school districts continue to prioritize mental health, the demand for skilled school counselors may lead to further growth in pay and opportunities within Merced.
School Counselor Hourly Wage Breakdown
| Percentile | Hourly Rate | Per 8hr Shift |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $26.29 | $210.30 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $32.39 | $259.13 |
| Median (P50) | $39.91 | $319.29 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $49.98 | $399.87 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $62.81 | $502.49 |
Estimated Annual Income by Work Schedule in Merced
Based on $39.91/hr median hourly rate · 2026 est.
At $39.91/hr, a school counselor working full-time (40 hr/wk) in Merced, CA can expect to earn approximately $83,016 per year (2026 est.). Part-time hygienists working 24 hours per week would earn around $47,894. With a cost-of-living index of 98.28 (below the national average), these earnings stretch further in Merced.
Hourly Rate Calculator
Schedule Comparison in Merced
| Schedule | Weekly | Monthly | Annual |
|---|---|---|---|
| Full-Time (40 hrs) | $1,596.47 | $6,918 | $83,016 |
| Part-Time (24 hrs) | $957.88 | $4,151 | $49,810 |
| Per Diem (16 hrs) | $638.59 | $2,767 | $33,207 |
Compare SC, LSC Wages With Similar Roles
| Role | Median Hourly |
|---|---|
| School Counselor (Merced) | $39.91 |
| 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 Merced, CA earn a median of $83,028 per year (2026 est.), which is 29.06% higher than the national median of $64,335 and 14.20% below the California state average of $96,769.
School Counselor Hourly Pay vs. Cost of Living
Working 24h/week at $39.91/hr = $49,810/year (purchasing power: $50,684).
Working 40h/week (full-time) = $83,016/year (purchasing power: $84,474).
CoL index: 98.275 (100 = national average). Your dollars stretch further here.
2019 BLS Actual
$40.40/hr
2025 BLS Actual
$39.11/hr
2026 Current Est.
$39.91/hr
2019–2027 Growth
+0.8%
Hourly Rate Trajectory for School Counselors in Merced (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 2.05% projection.
| Year | Hourly Rate | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $40.40/hr | Actual |
| 2020 | $38.31/hr | Actual |
| 2021 | $34.94/hr | Actual |
| 2022 | $29.78/hr | Actual |
| 2023 | $36.19/hr | Actual |
| 2024 | $36.57/hr | Actual |
| 2025 | $39.11/hr | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $39.91/hr | Estimated |
| 2027 | $40.73/hr | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, the median hourly rate for school counselors in Merced grew -3.2% from $40.40/hr (2019) to $39.11/hr (2025). At a 2.05% projected growth rate, hourly pay is expected to reach $40.73/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 Merced 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 Merced
For part-time school counselors working three days a week, or about 24 hours, the potential annual earnings can be impressive yet varied, particularly when juxtaposed against full-time salaries. Although a part-time counselor could see a reduced take-home amount, a per diem arrangement often offers better per-hour rates, especially in private college counseling, where fees can range from $150 to $400 per hour. Employment opportunities diversify among K-12 public school districts, charter networks, and private institutions, each with its pay dynamics. While some may accept lower hourly wages for the benefits attached to full-time roles, others might prioritize higher hourly wages without benefits, trading off stability for flexibility. For those negotiating their pay, understanding the distinct employer types in Merced and their respective compensation structures can be key to achieving fair earnings in the field of school counseling.
More salary data for Merced, 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 Merced. 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