School Counselor Hourly Pay in Napa, CA: $48.03 (2026)
Quick Answer:Hourly pay for a school counselor working in Napa, CA runs $48.03 at the median for 2026 — annualizing to $99,909 at a standard 2,080-hour year. Figures projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 21-1012). Weighted against Napa's regional price level (BEA RPP 112.6, 13% above national), each hour of work buys what $42.68 nationally would. A 24-hour part-time schedule grosses $59,948 per year.
Official BLS data · View source
In Napa, California, the school counselor hourly pay significantly reflects the region's higher cost of living, with a median hourly rate of $48.03. This figure eclipses the national median of $30.93, illustrating the financial benefits for those who work in Napa's educational environment. For part-time counselors working three days a week, this hourly rate can create a substantial earnings potential even with reduced hours. School counselors commonly operate in various settings, from elementary classrooms providing guidance lessons to high school offices focused on individual counseling. The hourly pay range in Napa varies, starting from $27.48 for entry-level positions to $82.55 for experienced professionals. These insights are based on 2025 BLS OEWS data, projected to 2026, and emphasize the promising remuneration for school counselors in this area.
School Counselor Hourly Wage Breakdown
| Percentile | Hourly Rate | Per 8hr Shift |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $27.48 | $219.86 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $31.06 | $248.51 |
| Median (P50) | $48.03 | $384.28 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $59.96 | $479.72 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $82.55 | $660.39 |
Estimated Annual Income by Work Schedule in Napa
Based on $48.03/hr median hourly rate · 2026 est.
At $48.03/hr, a school counselor working full-time (40 hr/wk) in Napa, CA can expect to earn approximately $99,913 per year (2026 est.). Part-time hygienists working 24 hours per week would earn around $57,642. With a cost-of-living index of 112.55 (above the national average), these earnings may be offset by higher expenses in Napa.
Hourly Rate Calculator
Schedule Comparison in Napa
| Schedule | Weekly | Monthly | Annual |
|---|---|---|---|
| Full-Time (40 hrs) | $1,921.40 | $8,326 | $99,913 |
| Part-Time (24 hrs) | $1,152.84 | $4,996 | $59,948 |
| Per Diem (16 hrs) | $768.56 | $3,330 | $39,965 |
Compare SC, LSC Wages With Similar Roles
| Role | Median Hourly |
|---|---|
| School Counselor (Napa) | $48.03 |
| 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 Napa, CA earn a median of $99,909 per year (2026 est.), which is 55.29% higher than the national median of $64,335 and 3.30% above the California state average of $96,717.
School Counselor Hourly Pay vs. Cost of Living
Working 24h/week at $48.03/hr = $59,948/year (purchasing power: $53,261).
Working 40h/week (full-time) = $99,913/year (purchasing power: $88,769).
CoL index: 112.554 (100 = national average).
2019 BLS Actual
$38.97/hr
2025 BLS Actual
$47.07/hr
2026 Current Est.
$48.03/hr
2019–2027 Growth
+25.8%
Hourly Rate Trajectory for School Counselors in Napa (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 2.05% projection.
| Year | Hourly Rate | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $38.97/hr | Actual |
| 2020 | $43.31/hr | Actual |
| 2021 | $47.38/hr | Actual |
| 2022 | $45.81/hr | Actual |
| 2023 | $48.83/hr | Actual |
| 2024 | $44.47/hr | Actual |
| 2025 | $47.07/hr | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $48.03/hr | Estimated |
| 2027 | $49.02/hr | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, the median hourly rate for school counselors in Napa grew 20.8% from $38.97/hr (2019) to $47.07/hr (2025). At a 2.05% projected growth rate, hourly pay is expected to reach $49.02/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 Napa 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 Napa
Considering the earning potential for part-time counselors in Napa reveals intriguing insights. A school counselor working 24 hours a week can expect to take home approximately $54,724 annually if they maintain the median rate; this income is less than what full-time counterparts in a school district earn. The trend toward per diem school counselor pay in Napa offers striking contrasts, particularly when private college counselors often charge between $150 and $400 per hour for consultation services. Add to this the potential for summer counseling opportunities, which can enhance earnings by an additional $5,000 to $15,000. Salary differences emerge across various employment types, impacting hourly rates in K-12 public schools, charter networks, and private institutions. While some counselors might opt for roles with lower hourly rates in exchange for benefits and job security, others pursue higher pay without added benefits. For those navigating negotiations, being transparent about the higher pay options available in Napa might empower counselors to secure favorable compensation.
More salary data for Napa, 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 Napa. 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