School Counselor Hourly Pay in San Diego, CA: $40.16 (2026)
Quick Answer:Hourly pay for a school counselor working in San Diego, CA runs $40.16 at the median for 2026 — annualizing to $83,528 at a standard 2,080-hour year. Figures projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 21-1012). Weighted against San Diego's regional price level (BEA RPP 111.9, 12% above national), each hour of work buys what $35.89 nationally would. A 24-hour part-time schedule grosses $50,116 per year.
Official BLS data · View source
In 2026, the school counselor hourly pay in San Diego, California is projected to be $40.16, significantly higher than the national median of $30.93. This competitive hourly rate can provide part-time counselors, who typically work three days a week, a solid income while still allowing flexibility for personal commitments or additional roles. For professionals engaged in per-diem work—covering elementary classroom guidance lessons, small group counseling at middle schools, or high school counseling offices—this rate facilitates diverse employment opportunities. San Diego's school counselors earn within a range that starts at $25.25 for entry-level positions, going up to $64.53 for top earners, establishing room for career growth in a city with a high cost of living index.
School Counselor Hourly Wage Breakdown
| Percentile | Hourly Rate | Per 8hr Shift |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $25.25 | $201.98 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $31.25 | $249.98 |
| Median (P50) | $40.16 | $321.25 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $56.88 | $455.06 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $64.53 | $516.21 |
Estimated Annual Income by Work Schedule in San Diego
Based on $40.16/hr median hourly rate · 2026 est.
At $40.16/hr, a school counselor working full-time (40 hr/wk) in San Diego, CA can expect to earn approximately $83,526 per year (2026 est.). Part-time hygienists working 24 hours per week would earn around $48,188. With a cost-of-living index of 111.89 (above the national average), these earnings may be offset by higher expenses in San Diego.
Hourly Rate Calculator
Schedule Comparison in San Diego
| Schedule | Weekly | Monthly | Annual |
|---|---|---|---|
| Full-Time (40 hrs) | $1,606.27 | $6,960 | $83,526 |
| Part-Time (24 hrs) | $963.76 | $4,176 | $50,116 |
| Per Diem (16 hrs) | $642.51 | $2,784 | $33,410 |
Compare SC, LSC Wages With Similar Roles
| Role | Median Hourly |
|---|---|
| School Counselor (San Diego) | $40.16 |
| 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 Diego, CA earn a median of $83,528 per year (2026 est.), which is 29.83% higher than the national median of $64,335 and 13.60% below the California state average of $96,676.
School Counselor Hourly Pay vs. Cost of Living
Working 24h/week at $40.16/hr = $50,116/year (purchasing power: $44,791).
Working 40h/week (full-time) = $83,526/year (purchasing power: $74,652).
CoL index: 111.887 (100 = national average).
2019 BLS Actual
$31.93/hr
2025 BLS Actual
$39.35/hr
2026 Current Est.
$40.16/hr
2019–2027 Growth
+28.3%
Hourly Rate Trajectory for School Counselors in San Diego (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 2.05% projection.
| Year | Hourly Rate | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $31.93/hr | Actual |
| 2020 | $32.06/hr | Actual |
| 2021 | $35.58/hr | Actual |
| 2022 | $31.45/hr | Actual |
| 2023 | $35.53/hr | Actual |
| 2024 | $39.82/hr | Actual |
| 2025 | $39.35/hr | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $40.16/hr | Estimated |
| 2027 | $40.98/hr | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, the median hourly rate for school counselors in San Diego grew 23.2% from $31.93/hr (2019) to $39.35/hr (2025). At a 2.05% projected growth rate, hourly pay is expected to reach $40.98/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 Diego 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 Diego
Analyzing part-time earnings for a school counselor working twenty-four hours weekly, their annual take-home could be approximately $49,912, a reliable income in a high-cost areas versus a full-time counselor in the same profession making around $83,528. The reality for per diem school counselors in San Diego, however, can vary widely; while public school substitutes typically receive lower hourly rates, private college counselors can charge between $150-$400/hour for direct-pay consulting. Hourly rates differ across employer types; those working in K-12 public schools or charter networks may experience a more rigid step-and-lane pay structure akin to teachers. Many choose positions offering lower hourly rates for the healthcare benefits that come with full-time employment. For negotiation, it may be beneficial to research local district salaries thoroughly and consider the comprehensive benefits package when evaluating offers.
More salary data for San Diego, 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 San Diego. 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