School Counselor Hourly Pay in Rancho Cordova, CA: $46.13 (2026)
Quick Answer:Hourly pay for a school counselor working in Rancho Cordova, CA runs $46.13 at the median for 2026 — annualizing to $95,934 at a standard 2,080-hour year. Figures projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 21-1012). Weighted against Rancho Cordova's regional price level (BEA RPP 113.1, 13% above national), each hour of work buys what $40.78 nationally would. A 24-hour part-time schedule grosses $57,566 per year.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
For school counselors in Rancho Cordova, the projected hourly rate stands at $46.13, significantly surpassing the national median of $30.93. This elevated rate provides attractive options for professionals looking to work part-time, such as those who may be employed three days a week, allowing them to engage in various settings like elementary classrooms, middle school group counseling, or high school individual counseling offices. Counselors also have the opportunity to work on a per-diem basis, effectively setting their own schedules while earning between $30.74 and $71.49 per hour based on experience and specialization. These estimates, derived from annual salary data, reflect the increasing value placed on this profession, particularly in areas with a rising demand for mental health services in educational environments.
About the Rancho Cordova 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) | $30.74 | $245.90 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $38.02 | $304.19 |
| Median (P50) | $46.13 | $369.01 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $58.77 | $470.16 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $71.49 | $571.89 |
Estimated Annual Income by Work Schedule in Rancho Cordova
Based on $46.13/hr median hourly rate · 2026 est.
At $46.13/hr, a school counselor working full-time (40 hr/wk) in Rancho Cordova, CA can expect to earn approximately $95,943 per year (2026 est.). Part-time hygienists working 24 hours per week would earn around $55,352. With a cost-of-living index of 113.10 (above the national average), these earnings may be offset by higher expenses in Rancho Cordova.
Hourly Rate Calculator
Schedule Comparison in Rancho Cordova
| Schedule | Weekly | Monthly | Annual |
|---|---|---|---|
| Full-Time (40 hrs) | $1,845.06 | $7,995 | $95,943 |
| Part-Time (24 hrs) | $1,107.04 | $4,797 | $57,566 |
| Per Diem (16 hrs) | $738.03 | $3,198 | $38,377 |
Compare SC, LSC Wages With Similar Roles
| Role | Median Hourly |
|---|---|
| School Counselor (Rancho Cordova) | $46.13 |
| 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 Rancho Cordova, CA earn a median of $95,934 per year (2026 est.), which is 49.12% higher than the national median of $64,335 and 0.80% below the California state average of $96,708.
School Counselor Hourly Pay vs. Cost of Living
Working 24h/week at $46.13/hr = $57,566/year (purchasing power: $50,898).
Working 40h/week (full-time) = $95,943/year (purchasing power: $84,831).
CoL index: 113.1 (100 = national average).
2019 BLS Actual
$40.08/hr
2025 BLS Actual
$45.20/hr
2026 Current Est.
$46.13/hr
2019–2027 Growth
+17.5%
Hourly Rate Trajectory for School Counselors in Rancho Cordova (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 2.05% projection.
| Year | Hourly Rate | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $40.08/hr | Actual |
| 2020 | $40.84/hr | Actual |
| 2021 | $42.52/hr | Actual |
| 2022 | $42.26/hr | Actual |
| 2023 | $43.36/hr | Actual |
| 2024 | $47.46/hr | Actual |
| 2025 | $45.20/hr | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $46.13/hr | Estimated |
| 2027 | $47.07/hr | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, the median hourly rate for school counselors in Rancho Cordova grew 12.8% from $40.08/hr (2019) to $45.20/hr (2025). At a 2.05% projected growth rate, hourly pay is expected to reach $47.07/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 Rancho Cordova 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 Rancho Cordova
Part-time school counselors in Rancho Cordova can expect to take home a reasonable income if they work around 24 hours a week, which would translate to nearly $58,154 annually compared to their full-time counterparts. The flexibility of per-diem roles also comes into play, particularly for those willing to serve in private settings where rates can ramp up to between $150 and $400 per hour for college admissions consulting. Given the industry's increasing demand amid a growing mental health funding landscape, hourly rates can differ significantly across employer types. Positions within K-12 public school districts tend to adhere to a traditional step-and-lane pay structure, while some may opt for less pay with benefits versus higher hourly pay without them. For negotiating hourly compensation, it is advisable to understand the local market and base discussions on factual salary benchmarks to ensure fair remuneration in this expanding field of educational counseling.
More salary data for Rancho Cordova, 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 Rancho Cordova. 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 Rancho Cordova 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