School Counselor Hourly Pay in Santa Ana, CA: $49.27 (2026)
Quick Answer:Hourly pay for a school counselor working in Santa Ana, CA runs $49.27 at the median for 2026 — annualizing to $102,488 at a standard 2,080-hour year. Figures projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 21-1012). Weighted against Santa Ana's regional price level (BEA RPP 113.1, 13% above national), each hour of work buys what $43.56 nationally would. A 24-hour part-time schedule grosses $61,489 per year.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
In Santa Ana, California, school counselors earn a median hourly rate of $49.27, which significantly exceeds the national median of $30.93. This elevated rate reflects the higher cost of living in the area and contributes to the financial viability of part-time or per-diem roles within various educational settings. Counselors working three days a week can anticipate a competitive hourly compensation that can support diverse responsibilities, ranging from elementary guidance lessons to high school individual counseling sessions. With an hourly range spanning from $31.77 for entry-level positions to $76.37 for those at the top of their field, this occupation provides robust earning potential for dedicated professionals serving students in a range of environments.
About the Santa Ana 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) | $31.77 | $254.15 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $37.18 | $297.41 |
| Median (P50) | $49.27 | $394.16 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $63.07 | $504.54 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $76.37 | $610.99 |
Estimated Annual Income by Work Schedule in Santa Ana
Based on $49.27/hr median hourly rate · 2026 est.
At $49.27/hr, a school counselor working full-time (40 hr/wk) in Santa Ana, CA can expect to earn approximately $102,481 per year (2026 est.). Part-time hygienists working 24 hours per week would earn around $59,124. With a cost-of-living index of 113.10 (above the national average), these earnings may be offset by higher expenses in Santa Ana.
Hourly Rate Calculator
Schedule Comparison in Santa Ana
| Schedule | Weekly | Monthly | Annual |
|---|---|---|---|
| Full-Time (40 hrs) | $1,970.79 | $8,540 | $102,481 |
| Part-Time (24 hrs) | $1,182.47 | $5,124 | $61,489 |
| Per Diem (16 hrs) | $788.32 | $3,416 | $40,992 |
Compare SC, LSC Wages With Similar Roles
| Role | Median Hourly |
|---|---|
| School Counselor (Santa Ana) | $49.27 |
| 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 Santa Ana, CA earn a median of $102,488 per year (2026 est.), which is 59.30% higher than the national median of $64,335 and 6.00% above the California state average of $96,687.
School Counselor Hourly Pay vs. Cost of Living
Working 24h/week at $49.27/hr = $61,489/year (purchasing power: $54,367).
Working 40h/week (full-time) = $102,481/year (purchasing power: $90,611).
CoL index: 113.1 (100 = national average).
2019 BLS Actual
$42.81/hr
2025 BLS Actual
$48.28/hr
2026 Current Est.
$49.27/hr
2019–2027 Growth
+17.5%
Hourly Rate Trajectory for School Counselors in Santa Ana (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 2.05% projection.
| Year | Hourly Rate | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $42.81/hr | Actual |
| 2020 | $43.62/hr | Actual |
| 2021 | $45.41/hr | Actual |
| 2022 | $45.14/hr | Actual |
| 2023 | $46.31/hr | Actual |
| 2024 | $50.70/hr | Actual |
| 2025 | $48.28/hr | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $49.27/hr | Estimated |
| 2027 | $50.28/hr | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, the median hourly rate for school counselors in Santa Ana grew 12.8% from $42.81/hr (2019) to $48.28/hr (2025). At a 2.05% projected growth rate, hourly pay is expected to reach $50.28/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 Santa Ana 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 Santa Ana
Exploring the earning potential for counselors in Santa Ana highlights the contrast between part-time and full-time positions. For instance, a school counselor working 24 hours a week could expect to bring home approximately $61,485 annually, a sustainable income compared to full-time counterparts. Additionally, per-diem school counselors can command rates between $150 and $400 per hour for specialized services, particularly in private college settings. While many public school counselors may accept a lower hourly rate for the benefits associated with K-12 employment, those in private or charter institutions often have the flexibility to negotiate higher compensation. For those seeking employment with Santa Ana schools, understanding the pay structures tied to specific roles – such as DoDEA positions or summer counseling opportunities, often adding between $5,000 to $15,000 – can be advantageous. Counselors should consider both income and benefits carefully in their negotiations, ensuring they find a balance that meets their financial and professional goals.
More salary data for Santa Ana, 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 Santa Ana. 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 Santa Ana 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