School Counselor Hourly Pay in San Clemente, CA: $46.25 (2026)
Quick Answer:Hourly pay for a school counselor working in San Clemente, CA runs $46.25 at the median for 2026 — annualizing to $96,194 at a standard 2,080-hour year. Figures projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 21-1012). Weighted against San Clemente's regional price level (BEA RPP 113.1, 13% above national), each hour of work buys what $40.89 nationally would. A 24-hour part-time schedule grosses $57,719 per year.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
In San Clemente, California, school counselors can expect to earn a median hourly wage of $46.25, considerably higher than the national average hourly rate of $30.93. This wage reflects the robust demand for counseling services across various educational settings, including elementary schools, middle schools, and high schools. For those working part-time, say three days a week, this translates into a solid income, providing a reliable source of supplementary earnings. The hourly pay range for school counselors in this region spans from $30.97 at the entry-level to $71.68 for the most experienced professionals. These figures help highlight how hourly compensation is projected rather than reflecting immediate take-home earnings, which are an essential factor for part-time and per-diem workers engaged in roles that may include guidance lessons or emergency crisis response coordination.
About the San Clemente 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) | $30.97 | $247.78 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $37.27 | $298.15 |
| Median (P50) | $46.25 | $369.99 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $59.20 | $473.59 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $71.68 | $573.44 |
Estimated Annual Income by Work Schedule in San Clemente
Based on $46.25/hr median hourly rate · 2026 est.
At $46.25/hr, a school counselor working full-time (40 hr/wk) in San Clemente, CA can expect to earn approximately $96,198 per year (2026 est.). Part-time hygienists working 24 hours per week would earn around $55,499. With a cost-of-living index of 113.10 (above the national average), these earnings may be offset by higher expenses in San Clemente.
Hourly Rate Calculator
Schedule Comparison in San Clemente
| Schedule | Weekly | Monthly | Annual |
|---|---|---|---|
| Full-Time (40 hrs) | $1,849.96 | $8,017 | $96,198 |
| Part-Time (24 hrs) | $1,109.98 | $4,810 | $57,719 |
| Per Diem (16 hrs) | $739.98 | $3,207 | $38,479 |
Compare SC, LSC Wages With Similar Roles
| Role | Median Hourly |
|---|---|
| School Counselor (San Clemente) | $46.25 |
| 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 San Clemente, CA earn a median of $96,194 per year (2026 est.), which is 49.52% higher than the national median of $64,335 and 0.60% below the California state average of $96,775.
School Counselor Hourly Pay vs. Cost of Living
Working 24h/week at $46.25/hr = $57,719/year (purchasing power: $51,033).
Working 40h/week (full-time) = $96,198/year (purchasing power: $85,056).
CoL index: 113.1 (100 = national average).
2019 BLS Actual
$40.18/hr
2025 BLS Actual
$45.32/hr
2026 Current Est.
$46.25/hr
2019–2027 Growth
+17.5%
Hourly Rate Trajectory for School Counselors in San Clemente (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 2.05% projection.
| Year | Hourly Rate | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $40.18/hr | Actual |
| 2020 | $40.95/hr | Actual |
| 2021 | $42.63/hr | Actual |
| 2022 | $42.37/hr | Actual |
| 2023 | $43.47/hr | Actual |
| 2024 | $47.59/hr | Actual |
| 2025 | $45.32/hr | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $46.25/hr | Estimated |
| 2027 | $47.20/hr | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, the median hourly rate for school counselors in San Clemente grew 12.8% from $40.18/hr (2019) to $45.32/hr (2025). At a 2.05% projected growth rate, hourly pay is expected to reach $47.20/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 San Clemente 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 San Clemente
Focusing on part-time earnings, a school counselor working three days a week, totaling around 24 hours, can anticipate an annual income significantly lower than full-time colleagues. However, their part-time roles, often amplified through per-diem or agency contracts, can expose them to different pay scales. For instance, while K-12 public school counselors generally earn less than their private sector counterparts, per diem school counselor pay in San Clemente can range dramatically. Notably, some private college counselors may command rates between $150 and $400 per hour for specialized consultations. Additional opportunities, such as extended school year programs, could further enhance annual earnings by adding $5,000 to $15,000. Furthermore, hourly pay can vary based on the educational institution type, with charter and private schools sometimes offering different compensation packages compared to traditional public districts. Counselors often make choices about accepting lower hourly rates in exchange for benefits like health insurance, a critical consideration in the high-cost-of-living environment of California, especially when negotiating compensation.
More salary data for San Clemente, CA:
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the hourly rate for school counselors in San Clemente in 2026?
How much do part-time school counselors make in San Clemente?
Are school counselors in San Clemente paid hourly or salary?
How much does a full-time school counselor make per year in San Clemente?
Do school counselors earn more per hour working part-time in San Clemente?
Related Pages
Compare Salaries
Career Resources
Nearby Cities in California
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 San Clemente. 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 San Clemente 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