School Counselor Hourly Pay in Torrance, CA: $47.30 (2026)
Quick Answer:Hourly pay for a school counselor working in Torrance, CA runs $47.30 at the median for 2026 — annualizing to $98,388 at a standard 2,080-hour year. Figures projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 21-1012). Weighted against Torrance's regional price level (BEA RPP 113.1, 13% above national), each hour of work buys what $41.82 nationally would. A 24-hour part-time schedule grosses $59,031 per year.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
In Torrance, California, the school counselor hourly pay is projected to reach $47.30 in 2026, significantly higher than the national median hourly rate of $30.93. This robust figure reflects both the demand for qualified counselors and the local cost of living index, which stands at 113.1, indicating a higher-than-average expense of living in the area. For part-time school counselors working three days a week, totaling approximately 24 hours, this hourly rate translates into solid income potential, allowing them to provide essential services across elementary classroom guidance lessons, middle school small group counseling sessions, high school individual counseling offices, and college counseling resource rooms. Entry-level positions may start around $31.10 per hour, while experienced professionals can command rates as high as $73.32 hourly, offering a wide range for various experience levels within Torrance’s educational settings.
About the Torrance 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) | $31.10 | $248.84 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $36.10 | $288.76 |
| Median (P50) | $47.30 | $378.40 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $60.55 | $484.37 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $73.32 | $586.58 |
Estimated Annual Income by Work Schedule in Torrance
Based on $47.30/hr median hourly rate · 2026 est.
At $47.30/hr, a school counselor working full-time (40 hr/wk) in Torrance, CA can expect to earn approximately $98,384 per year (2026 est.). Part-time hygienists working 24 hours per week would earn around $56,760. With a cost-of-living index of 113.10 (above the national average), these earnings may be offset by higher expenses in Torrance.
Hourly Rate Calculator
Schedule Comparison in Torrance
| Schedule | Weekly | Monthly | Annual |
|---|---|---|---|
| Full-Time (40 hrs) | $1,892.01 | $8,199 | $98,384 |
| Part-Time (24 hrs) | $1,135.20 | $4,919 | $59,031 |
| Per Diem (16 hrs) | $756.80 | $3,279 | $39,354 |
Compare SC, LSC Wages With Similar Roles
| Role | Median Hourly |
|---|---|
| School Counselor (Torrance) | $47.30 |
| 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 Torrance, CA earn a median of $98,388 per year (2026 est.), which is 52.93% higher than the national median of $64,335 and 1.70% above the California state average of $96,744.
School Counselor Hourly Pay vs. Cost of Living
Working 24h/week at $47.30/hr = $59,031/year (purchasing power: $52,193).
Working 40h/week (full-time) = $98,384/year (purchasing power: $86,989).
CoL index: 113.1 (100 = national average).
2019 BLS Actual
$41.10/hr
2025 BLS Actual
$46.35/hr
2026 Current Est.
$47.30/hr
2019–2027 Growth
+17.5%
Hourly Rate Trajectory for School Counselors in Torrance (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 2.05% projection.
| Year | Hourly Rate | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $41.10/hr | Actual |
| 2020 | $41.88/hr | Actual |
| 2021 | $43.60/hr | Actual |
| 2022 | $43.33/hr | Actual |
| 2023 | $44.46/hr | Actual |
| 2024 | $48.67/hr | Actual |
| 2025 | $46.35/hr | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $47.30/hr | Estimated |
| 2027 | $48.27/hr | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, the median hourly rate for school counselors in Torrance grew 12.8% from $41.10/hr (2019) to $46.35/hr (2025). At a 2.05% projected growth rate, hourly pay is expected to reach $48.27/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 Torrance 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 Torrance
When exploring the part-time earnings of a school counselor in Torrance, it's vital to understand that working 24 hours a week may yield substantial differences in income compared to full-time counterparts. While full-time school counselors benefit from salaries that offer stability, those working on a per-diem basis can experience varying pay structures; agency counselors and private college counselors can charge between $150 and $400 per hour for niche consulting services, significantly influencing their total earnings. Additionally, counselors may enhance their overall income through summer programs that add anywhere from $5,000 to $15,000 to their base wages. Employers such as K-12 public school districts and charter school networks may offer lower hourly rates compared to private institutions that provide health benefits, which some counselors may find advantageous to secure, despite the potential for higher hourly compensation elsewhere. Negotiating pay in Torrance requires an awareness of local salaries and position demands, focusing on both hourly pay and the total compensation package, especially in a market with an increasing emphasis on mental health funding post-COVID.
More salary data for Torrance, 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 Torrance. 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 Torrance 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