School Counselor Hourly Pay in Montebello, CA: $46.08 (2026)
Quick Answer:Hourly pay for a school counselor working in Montebello, CA runs $46.08 at the median for 2026 — annualizing to $95,842 at a standard 2,080-hour year. Figures projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 21-1012). Weighted against Montebello's regional price level (BEA RPP 113.1, 13% above national), each hour of work buys what $40.74 nationally would. A 24-hour part-time schedule grosses $57,502 per year.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source

In Montebello, California, school counselors can expect a solid median hourly pay of $46.08, significantly higher than the national hourly median of $30.93. This elevated rate reflects the region's cost of living, which is above the national average. For those pursuing part-time roles, such as those working three days a week, this translates into meaningful take-home earnings, even without full-time benefits. Per-diem positions in various educational settings—including elementary guidance lessons, middle school group counseling, or high school individual sessions—allow flexibility and the potential for diverse experiences within the profession. With a salary range of $30.64 to $71.42 for Montebello counselors, there are opportunities for both entry-level counselors and those at the pinnacle of their careers, highlighting a strong demand for quality counseling services in local educational institutions.
About the Montebello 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) | $30.64 | $245.08 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $37.93 | $303.46 |
| Median (P50) | $46.08 | $368.60 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $58.98 | $471.88 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $71.42 | $571.40 |
Estimated Annual Income by Work Schedule in Montebello
Based on $46.08/hr median hourly rate · 2026 est.
At $46.08/hr, a school counselor working full-time (40 hr/wk) in Montebello, CA can expect to earn approximately $95,837 per year (2026 est.). Part-time hygienists working 24 hours per week would earn around $55,291. With a cost-of-living index of 113.10 (above the national average), these earnings may be offset by higher expenses in Montebello.
Hourly Rate Calculator
Schedule Comparison in Montebello
| Schedule | Weekly | Monthly | Annual |
|---|---|---|---|
| Full-Time (40 hrs) | $1,843.02 | $7,986 | $95,837 |
| Part-Time (24 hrs) | $1,105.81 | $4,792 | $57,502 |
| Per Diem (16 hrs) | $737.21 | $3,195 | $38,335 |
Compare SC, LSC Wages With Similar Roles
| Role | Median Hourly |
|---|---|
| School Counselor (Montebello) | $46.08 |
| 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 Montebello, CA earn a median of $95,842 per year (2026 est.), which is 48.97% higher than the national median of $64,335 and 0.90% below the California state average of $96,713.
School Counselor Hourly Pay vs. Cost of Living
Working 24h/week at $46.08/hr = $57,502/year (purchasing power: $50,842).
Working 40h/week (full-time) = $95,837/year (purchasing power: $84,737).
CoL index: 113.1 (100 = national average).
2019 BLS Actual
$40.03/hr
2025 BLS Actual
$45.15/hr
2026 Current Est.
$46.08/hr
2019–2027 Growth
+17.5%
Hourly Rate Trajectory for School Counselors in Montebello (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 2.05% projection.
| Year | Hourly Rate | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $40.03/hr | Actual |
| 2020 | $40.79/hr | Actual |
| 2021 | $42.47/hr | Actual |
| 2022 | $42.21/hr | Actual |
| 2023 | $43.31/hr | Actual |
| 2024 | $47.41/hr | Actual |
| 2025 | $45.15/hr | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $46.08/hr | Estimated |
| 2027 | $47.02/hr | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, the median hourly rate for school counselors in Montebello grew 12.8% from $40.03/hr (2019) to $45.15/hr (2025). At a 2.05% projected growth rate, hourly pay is expected to reach $47.02/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 Montebello 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 Montebello
Analyzing the part-time potential for a school counselor working 24 hours a week in Montebello reveals that their annual take-home could exceed $54,000, assuming consistent hourly pay. Meanwhile, the realities of per-diem school counselor pay in Montebello can vary, with private college counselors commanding between $150 and $400 per hour, especially in high-cost-of-living areas. Notably, summer counseling roles can augment a full-time counselor's income by an additional $5,000 to $15,000. Moreover, hourly rates can shift depending on whether a counselor is employed in K-12 public schools, charter institutions, or private settings. Many professionals in the field face a trade-off between lower hourly wages that come with health benefits and higher rates that offer flexibility but no insurance. Therefore, understanding negotiation strategies specific to the local market is essential, allowing counselors to secure compensation that aligns with their qualifications and career goals while considering the broader context of expanding mental health funding post-COVID.
More salary data for Montebello, 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 Montebello. 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 Montebello 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