School Counselor Hourly Pay in Sacramento, CA: $48.52 (2026)
Quick Answer:Hourly pay for a school counselor working in Sacramento, CA runs $48.52 at the median for 2026 — annualizing to $100,939 at a standard 2,080-hour year. Figures projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 21-1012). Weighted against Sacramento's regional price level (BEA RPP 106.7, 7% above national), each hour of work buys what $45.49 nationally would. A 24-hour part-time schedule grosses $60,559 per year.
Official BLS data · View source
In Sacramento, the school counselor hourly pay stands at a robust $48.52, significantly higher than the national median hourly rate of $30.93. This difference reflects the higher cost of living in California, offering a competitive advantage for counselors working in elementary guidance lessons, middle school group sessions, high school counseling offices, and various roles in college counseling. With a broad hourly range from $27.77 at entry-level positions to $64.66 for top earners, the profession presents diverse earning potentials suitable for both part-time (working around three days a week) and per-diem arrangements, which can fluidly adapt to the shifting needs of schools in the area. Official BLS data regarding these figures underscores the vital role school counselors play in supporting students, particularly amid growing mental health challenges and a push for more adequate counseling resources post-COVID.
School Counselor Hourly Wage Breakdown
| Percentile | Hourly Rate | Per 8hr Shift |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $27.77 | $222.14 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $35.50 | $284.03 |
| Median (P50) | $48.52 | $388.20 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $62.54 | $500.29 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $64.66 | $517.27 |
Estimated Annual Income by Work Schedule in Sacramento
Based on $48.52/hr median hourly rate · 2026 est.
At $48.52/hr, a school counselor working full-time (40 hr/wk) in Sacramento, CA can expect to earn approximately $100,932 per year (2026 est.). Part-time hygienists working 24 hours per week would earn around $58,230. With a cost-of-living index of 106.67 (above the national average), these earnings may be offset by higher expenses in Sacramento.
Hourly Rate Calculator
Schedule Comparison in Sacramento
| Schedule | Weekly | Monthly | Annual |
|---|---|---|---|
| Full-Time (40 hrs) | $1,940.99 | $8,411 | $100,932 |
| Part-Time (24 hrs) | $1,164.59 | $5,047 | $60,559 |
| Per Diem (16 hrs) | $776.40 | $3,364 | $40,373 |
Compare SC, LSC Wages With Similar Roles
| Role | Median Hourly |
|---|---|
| School Counselor (Sacramento) | $48.52 |
| 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 Sacramento, CA earn a median of $100,939 per year (2026 est.), which is 56.90% higher than the national median of $64,335 and 4.40% above the California state average of $96,685.
School Counselor Hourly Pay vs. Cost of Living
Working 24h/week at $48.52/hr = $60,559/year (purchasing power: $56,772).
Working 40h/week (full-time) = $100,932/year (purchasing power: $94,620).
CoL index: 106.67 (100 = national average).
2019 BLS Actual
$32.10/hr
2025 BLS Actual
$47.55/hr
2026 Current Est.
$48.52/hr
2019–2027 Growth
+54.3%
Hourly Rate Trajectory for School Counselors in Sacramento (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 2.05% projection.
| Year | Hourly Rate | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $32.10/hr | Actual |
| 2020 | $37.20/hr | Actual |
| 2021 | $36.83/hr | Actual |
| 2022 | $29.52/hr | Actual |
| 2023 | $36.32/hr | Actual |
| 2024 | $47.50/hr | Actual |
| 2025 | $47.55/hr | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $48.52/hr | Estimated |
| 2027 | $49.52/hr | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, the median hourly rate for school counselors in Sacramento grew 48.1% from $32.10/hr (2019) to $47.55/hr (2025). At a 2.05% projected growth rate, hourly pay is expected to reach $49.52/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 Sacramento 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 Sacramento
When analyzing compensation for school counselors in Sacramento, it's essential to consider how part-time work translates into practical earnings. A counselor working three days a week would typically clock around 24 hours, yielding an annual take-home pay that significantly reflects their hourly rate, albeit less than full-time counterparts. As for per diem roles, while traditional coverage tends to be scarce, private college counselors can command $150 to $400 per hour in high-cost markets for specialized services. Summer counseling can additionally boost earnings by $5,000 to $15,000. Hourly wages can vary based on the type of employment, with K-12 public schools generally adhering to the step-and-lane pay structure akin to teachers, while alternative settings may offer higher wages without benefits. For counseling professionals, negotiating hourly rates can hinge on factors like benefit offerings, workload, and institutional demand, shaping the decision-making process for both new hires and seasoned experts alike.
More salary data for Sacramento, 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 Sacramento. 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