School Counselor Hourly Pay in San Francisco, CA: $45.48 (2026)
Quick Answer:Hourly pay for a school counselor working in San Francisco, CA runs $45.48 at the median for 2026 — annualizing to $94,609 at a standard 2,080-hour year. Figures projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 21-1012). Weighted against San Francisco's regional price level (BEA RPP 115.6, 16% above national), each hour of work buys what $39.34 nationally would. A 24-hour part-time schedule grosses $56,764 per year.
Official BLS data · View source
In San Francisco, CA, school counselors can expect a median hourly pay of $45.48, significantly higher than the national median of $30.93 per hour. This competitive rate is particularly advantageous for those considering part-time opportunities, given that a counselor working three days a week could generate a substantial income while balancing personal commitments. The hourly pay range in this field stretches from $27.89 for entry-level positions to $72.12 for experienced professionals, reflecting a diverse set of responsibilities that can include facilitating classroom guidance lessons in elementary schools, leading small group counseling in middle schools, or providing one-on-one support in high school counseling offices. Such roles are also prevalent in college counseling resource rooms and crisis response teams, highlighting the importance of school counselors in various educational settings. These figures are derived from 2026 estimates based on 2025 BLS OEWS data.
School Counselor Hourly Wage Breakdown
| Percentile | Hourly Rate | Per 8hr Shift |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $27.89 | $223.12 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $33.63 | $269.00 |
| Median (P50) | $45.48 | $363.87 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $58.67 | $469.35 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $72.12 | $576.95 |
Estimated Annual Income by Work Schedule in San Francisco
Based on $45.48/hr median hourly rate · 2026 est.
At $45.48/hr, a school counselor working full-time (40 hr/wk) in San Francisco, CA can expect to earn approximately $94,606 per year (2026 est.). Part-time hygienists working 24 hours per week would earn around $54,580. With a cost-of-living index of 115.61 (above the national average), these earnings may be offset by higher expenses in San Francisco.
Hourly Rate Calculator
Schedule Comparison in San Francisco
| Schedule | Weekly | Monthly | Annual |
|---|---|---|---|
| Full-Time (40 hrs) | $1,819.35 | $7,884 | $94,606 |
| Part-Time (24 hrs) | $1,091.61 | $4,730 | $56,764 |
| Per Diem (16 hrs) | $727.74 | $3,154 | $37,842 |
Compare SC, LSC Wages With Similar Roles
| Role | Median Hourly |
|---|---|
| School Counselor (San Francisco) | $45.48 |
| 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 Francisco, CA earn a median of $94,609 per year (2026 est.), which is 47.06% higher than the national median of $64,335 and 2.20% below the California state average of $96,737.
School Counselor Hourly Pay vs. Cost of Living
Working 24h/week at $45.48/hr = $56,764/year (purchasing power: $49,098).
Working 40h/week (full-time) = $94,606/year (purchasing power: $81,830).
CoL index: 115.613 (100 = national average).
2019 BLS Actual
$35.29/hr
2025 BLS Actual
$44.57/hr
2026 Current Est.
$45.48/hr
2019–2027 Growth
+31.5%
Hourly Rate Trajectory for School Counselors in San Francisco (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 2.05% projection.
| Year | Hourly Rate | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $35.29/hr | Actual |
| 2020 | $35.17/hr | Actual |
| 2021 | $37.33/hr | Actual |
| 2022 | $35.90/hr | Actual |
| 2023 | $38.39/hr | Actual |
| 2024 | $48.54/hr | Actual |
| 2025 | $44.57/hr | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $45.48/hr | Estimated |
| 2027 | $46.42/hr | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, the median hourly rate for school counselors in San Francisco grew 26.3% from $35.29/hr (2019) to $44.57/hr (2025). At a 2.05% projected growth rate, hourly pay is expected to reach $46.42/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 Francisco 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 Francisco
For those who work as part-time or per-diem school counselors in San Francisco, the potential for earnings can vary widely based on their employment setup. A counselor working a 3-day week for 24 hours can make a solid income, although it may be less than that of full-time colleagues. In stark contrast, per diem school counselor pay in San Francisco can be lucrative, with private college counselors charging rates between $150 and $400 per hour for specialized consulting. Adding summer counseling roles might increase earnings by an additional $5,000 to $15,000 annually, making it attractive for those seeking extra pay through extended school year programs. It's crucial to recognize that hourly rates fluctuate depending on the employer type, whether in K-12 public schools, charter networks, or private institutions, with many school counselors opting for positions that offer benefits despite relatively lower hourly wages. For those negotiating pay, understanding the local market and the potential for benefits versus higher hourly wages is essential for making informed career decisions.
More salary data for San Francisco, 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 Francisco. 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