School Counselor Salary in Antioch, CA: $95,543 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time school counselor in Antioch, CA earns a median $95,543/year (≈ $45.93/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 21-1012). Once you factor in Antioch's price level (13% above national, BEA RPP 113.1), that paycheck buys what $84,477 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 1.2% below the California state average.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
In Antioch, CA, school counselors are expected to earn a median annual salary of $95,543 in 2026, significantly higher than the national median of $64,335. This favorable salary, which ranges from $66,244 at the 10th percentile to $148,092 at the 90th percentile, reflects local adjustments based on the cost of living and competitive demand for skilled professionals in the education sector. Antioch's actual counselor-to-student ratio, which exceeds the recommended 1:250 as advised by the American School Counselor Association (ASCA), highlights the pressing need for counselors in the area, especially as school districts respond to increased emphasis on mental health funding post-COVID.
About the Antioch Market
Salary estimated from California average ($88,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $66,244 | $31.85 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $75,284 | $36.20 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $95,543 | $45.93 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $122,296 | $58.79 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $148,092 | $71.20 |
Median Salary Position
48.51% above the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Antioch
In Antioch, CA, the school counselor salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $81,848 (2026 est.). At $95,543, the local median is 48.51% above the national median of $64,335.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in Antioch: You'd be in the lower-middle range
How Antioch School Counselor Pay Compares
Antioch median: $95,543/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Antioch Pays |
|---|---|---|
| California Average | $96,704 | -1.20% less |
| National Average | $64,335 | +48.51% more |
School Counselors in Antioch, CA earn a median of $95,543 per year (2026 est.), which is 48.51% higher than the national median of $64,335 and 1.20% below the California state average of $96,704.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Antioch has a cost of living 13.10% above the national average.
Adjusted salary = nominal × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average.
Antioch, CA has a cost-of-living index of 113.1 (above the national average of 100). While the nominal salary of $95,543 is competitive, the higher cost of living reduces purchasing power to an effective $84,477 — a 11.58% reduction.
Compare Purchasing Power
Select a city to see how your salary compares after cost of living
Select a city above to compare purchasing power
2019 BLS Actual
$83,014
2025 BLS Actual
$93,624
2026 Current Est.
$95,543
2019–2027 Growth
+17.5%
Salary Trajectory for School Counselors in Antioch (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 2.05% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $83,014 | Actual |
| 2020 | $84,586 | Actual |
| 2021 | $88,064 | Actual |
| 2022 | $87,526 | Actual |
| 2023 | $89,811 | Actual |
| 2024 | $98,308 | Actual |
| 2025 | $93,624 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $95,543 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $97,502 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Antioch metropolitan area, the median school counselor salary grew 12.8% from $83,014 (2019) to $93,624 (2025). At a 2.05% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $97,502 by 2027 — a total increase of $14,488 (17.45%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Antioch 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.
Salary by Experience Level
| Experience | Estimated Salary Range |
|---|---|
| 0-2 years (New Graduate) | $66,244 – $75,284 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $75,284 – $95,543 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $95,543 – $122,296 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $122,296 – $148,092 |
SC, LSC salary ranges estimated from BLS percentile data. Individual school counselor compensation varies by employer, certifications, and specialization.
School Counselor Job Market in Antioch
Considering the job market, Antioch currently employs 17 school counselors, reflecting a moderate presence within the educational landscape of the area. With a cost-of-living index sitting at 113.1, school counselor salaries must stretch to accommodate higher living expenses, which can impact take-home purchasing power. Public K-12 school districts typically abide by a step-and-lane pay structure that factors in years of experience and educational background, leading to variations in pay. For those interested in maximizing their compensation, pursuing additional qualifications, such as master's+30 or a doctorate, and taking advantage of stipend roles for extracurricular involvement can significantly enhance earning potential in Antioch. Understanding the local market dynamics will be essential for counselors seeking to elevate their salary amidst the growing demand for their services.
More salary data for Antioch, CA:
Frequently Asked Questions
How much do school counselors make in Antioch, CA in 2026?
Is Antioch, CA a good place to work as a school counselor?
Can school counselors make $100K in Antioch?
What is the cost-of-living adjusted school counselor salary in Antioch?
How much does a school counselor make per hour in Antioch?
Related Pages
Compare Salaries
Career Resources
Nearby Cities in California
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
Salary figures on this page are 2026 projections based on the Bureau of Labor Statistics Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS) survey, May 2026 release. The BLS reported a median annual salary of $93,624 for school counselorsin the Antioch metropolitan area. A 2.05% compound annual growth rate (CAGR), calculated from 6-year national BLS wage trends, was applied to project current 2026 compensation. Percentile ranges (P10–P90) represent the full salary distribution across experience levels and practice settings in this market.
Data Sources & Methodology
Salary data for Antioch 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