School Counselor Hourly Pay in Vacaville, CA: $46.41 (2026)
Quick Answer:Hourly pay for a school counselor working in Vacaville, CA runs $46.41 at the median for 2026 — annualizing to $96,528 at a standard 2,080-hour year. Figures projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 21-1012). Weighted against Vacaville's regional price level (BEA RPP 113.1, 13% above national), each hour of work buys what $41.04 nationally would. A 24-hour part-time schedule grosses $57,923 per year.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
In Vacaville, California, school counselors earn a median hourly pay of $46.41, significantly higher than the national median of $30.93. This robust hourly rate highlights the lucrative opportunities for both part-time and per-diem workers within various educational settings, including elementary schools, middle school counseling groups, and high school counseling offices. With an hourly range from $32.95 for entry-level positions to $71.94 for those at the top of the pay scale, school counselors in Vacaville can find diverse responsibilities, from delivering classroom guidance lessons to coordinating responses during crises. This hourly structure is derived from annual salary data, reflecting both demand and the cost of living factors specific to the region.
About the Vacaville 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) | $32.95 | $263.62 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $37.13 | $297.01 |
| Median (P50) | $46.41 | $371.30 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $59.40 | $475.23 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $71.94 | $575.48 |
Estimated Annual Income by Work Schedule in Vacaville
Based on $46.41/hr median hourly rate · 2026 est.
At $46.41/hr, a school counselor working full-time (40 hr/wk) in Vacaville, CA can expect to earn approximately $96,538 per year (2026 est.). Part-time hygienists working 24 hours per week would earn around $55,695. With a cost-of-living index of 113.10 (above the national average), these earnings may be offset by higher expenses in Vacaville.
Hourly Rate Calculator
Schedule Comparison in Vacaville
| Schedule | Weekly | Monthly | Annual |
|---|---|---|---|
| Full-Time (40 hrs) | $1,856.49 | $8,045 | $96,538 |
| Part-Time (24 hrs) | $1,113.90 | $4,827 | $57,923 |
| Per Diem (16 hrs) | $742.60 | $3,218 | $38,615 |
Compare SC, LSC Wages With Similar Roles
| Role | Median Hourly |
|---|---|
| School Counselor (Vacaville) | $46.41 |
| 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 Vacaville, CA earn a median of $96,528 per year (2026 est.), which is 50.04% higher than the national median of $64,335 and 0.20% below the California state average of $96,722.
School Counselor Hourly Pay vs. Cost of Living
Working 24h/week at $46.41/hr = $57,923/year (purchasing power: $51,214).
Working 40h/week (full-time) = $96,538/year (purchasing power: $85,356).
CoL index: 113.1 (100 = national average).
2019 BLS Actual
$40.33/hr
2025 BLS Actual
$45.48/hr
2026 Current Est.
$46.41/hr
2019–2027 Growth
+17.5%
Hourly Rate Trajectory for School Counselors in Vacaville (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 2.05% projection.
| Year | Hourly Rate | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $40.33/hr | Actual |
| 2020 | $41.09/hr | Actual |
| 2021 | $42.78/hr | Actual |
| 2022 | $42.52/hr | Actual |
| 2023 | $43.63/hr | Actual |
| 2024 | $47.75/hr | Actual |
| 2025 | $45.48/hr | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $46.41/hr | Estimated |
| 2027 | $47.36/hr | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, the median hourly rate for school counselors in Vacaville grew 12.8% from $40.33/hr (2019) to $45.48/hr (2025). At a 2.05% projected growth rate, hourly pay is expected to reach $47.36/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 Vacaville 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 Vacaville
Exploring part-time roles, a school counselor working three days a week could take home around $36,691 annually based on a 24-hour workweek, compared to the typical full-time salary that offers comprehensive benefits. For those engaged in the per diem model, such as private college counseling, pay can range from $150 to $400 per hour, showcasing a lucrative side of the profession in high cost-of-living areas like Vacaville. Opportunities vary significantly depending on the employer type, with K-12 public districts following traditional step-and-lane pay scales while charter and private schools may offer different compensation structures. The decision to accept a lower hourly rate for benefits like health insurance versus pursuing a higher hourly wage with limited benefits can be a practical trade-off for many counselors. Negotiating hourly pay in this area demands an understanding of both the local job market as well as the value of one’s credentials, including factors from ASCA and CACREP accreditation during discussions.
More salary data for Vacaville, 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 Vacaville. 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 Vacaville 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