School Counselor Hourly Pay in Stockton, CA: $38.38 (2026)
Quick Answer:Hourly pay for a school counselor working in Stockton, CA runs $38.38 at the median for 2026 — annualizing to $79,847 at a standard 2,080-hour year. Figures projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 21-1012). Weighted against Stockton's regional price level (BEA RPP 105.1, 5% above national), each hour of work buys what $36.52 nationally would. A 24-hour part-time schedule grosses $47,899 per year.
Official BLS data · View source
In Stockton, California, the school counselor hourly pay stands at $38.38, significantly higher than the national hourly median of $30.93. This competitive rate makes a career in school counseling more appealing, especially for those considering part-time arrangements. For school counselors working three days a week, or 24 hours, this hourly wage can facilitate a comfortable lifestyle in a city where the cost of living index is just above the national average. With entry-level positions starting at $22.60 and experienced professionals potentially earning up to $61.45, the hourly range reflects varying levels of experience and workplace settings, including elementary classrooms, middle schools, and high school counseling offices. These figures are based on 2025 BLS OEWS data, projected to 2026, ensuring that they are relevant in the current job market.
School Counselor Hourly Wage Breakdown
| Percentile | Hourly Rate | Per 8hr Shift |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $22.60 | $180.83 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $28.08 | $224.67 |
| Median (P50) | $38.38 | $307.05 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $57.87 | $462.98 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $61.45 | $491.64 |
Estimated Annual Income by Work Schedule in Stockton
Based on $38.38/hr median hourly rate · 2026 est.
At $38.38/hr, a school counselor working full-time (40 hr/wk) in Stockton, CA can expect to earn approximately $79,832 per year (2026 est.). Part-time hygienists working 24 hours per week would earn around $46,057. With a cost-of-living index of 105.09 (above the national average), these earnings may be offset by higher expenses in Stockton.
Hourly Rate Calculator
Schedule Comparison in Stockton
| Schedule | Weekly | Monthly | Annual |
|---|---|---|---|
| Full-Time (40 hrs) | $1,535.24 | $6,653 | $79,832 |
| Part-Time (24 hrs) | $921.14 | $3,992 | $47,899 |
| Per Diem (16 hrs) | $614.10 | $2,661 | $31,933 |
Compare SC, LSC Wages With Similar Roles
| Role | Median Hourly |
|---|---|
| School Counselor (Stockton) | $38.38 |
| 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 Stockton, CA earn a median of $79,847 per year (2026 est.), which is 24.11% higher than the national median of $64,335 and 17.50% below the California state average of $96,784.
School Counselor Hourly Pay vs. Cost of Living
Working 24h/week at $38.38/hr = $47,899/year (purchasing power: $45,580).
Working 40h/week (full-time) = $79,832/year (purchasing power: $75,967).
CoL index: 105.089 (100 = national average).
2019 BLS Actual
$38.12/hr
2025 BLS Actual
$37.61/hr
2026 Current Est.
$38.38/hr
2019–2027 Growth
+2.7%
Hourly Rate Trajectory for School Counselors in Stockton (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 2.05% projection.
| Year | Hourly Rate | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $38.12/hr | Actual |
| 2020 | $43.58/hr | Actual |
| 2021 | $36.96/hr | Actual |
| 2022 | $38.87/hr | Actual |
| 2023 | $40.21/hr | Actual |
| 2024 | $45.69/hr | Actual |
| 2025 | $37.61/hr | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $38.38/hr | Estimated |
| 2027 | $39.17/hr | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, the median hourly rate for school counselors in Stockton grew -1.3% from $38.12/hr (2019) to $37.61/hr (2025). At a 2.05% projected growth rate, hourly pay is expected to reach $39.17/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 Stockton 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 Stockton
Balancing full-time and part-time work as a school counselor leads to different earning scenarios. For those in Stockton opting for a three-day workweek, annual earnings would average around $49,344, which is significantly lower than a full-time counselor's income. For per-diem school counselor roles, the landscape is diverse, with hourly rates that vary dramatically. Counselors working in private college settings command pay rates from $150 to $400 per hour, offering lucrative opportunities in high-cost locations. In contrast, public school districts typically adhere to a step-and-lane pay structure that aligns with K-12 education norms, affecting retirement and health benefits, which are often not available to higher-paying per-diem roles. With a steady demand for counselors driven by post-COVID mental health funding, professionals face a trade-off between higher hourly pay and associated benefits like health insurance. Negotiation is essential, especially in a market like Stockton, where understanding the subtle differences in pay across various institution types can influence career longevity and job satisfaction.
More salary data for Stockton, 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 Stockton. 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