School Counselor Salary in Baldwin Park, CA: $94,311 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time school counselor in Baldwin Park, CA earns a median $94,311/year (≈ $45.34/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 21-1012). Once you factor in Baldwin Park's price level (13% above national, BEA RPP 113.1), that paycheck buys what $83,387 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 2.5% below the California state average.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
Baldwin Park, California, is witnessing a notable change in school counselor compensation, primarily due to the post-COVID mental health funding expansion, which has catalyzed local hiring efforts. In 2026, the median annual salary reaches $94,311, showcasing a significant increase compared to the national median of $64,335. The salary range for school counselors in this area spans from $67,735 at the 10th percentile to $146,182 at the 90th percentile, reflecting the variability in roles and responsibilities across different educational institutions. These figures are local estimates based on 2025 BLS data, projected to 2026, and adjusted for regional cost factors, emphasizing the robust job market in Baldwin Park for school counselors as districts prioritize mental health resources.
About the Baldwin Park Market
Salary estimated from California average ($88,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $67,735 | $32.56 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $73,766 | $35.46 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $94,311 | $45.34 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $120,717 | $58.04 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $146,182 | $70.28 |
Median Salary Position
46.59% above the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Baldwin Park
In Baldwin Park, CA, the school counselor salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $78,447 (2026 est.). At $94,311, the local median is 46.59% above the national median of $64,335.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in Baldwin Park: You'd be in the lower-middle range
How Baldwin Park School Counselor Pay Compares
Baldwin Park median: $94,311/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Baldwin Park Pays |
|---|---|---|
| California Average | $96,729 | -2.50% less |
| National Average | $64,335 | +46.59% more |
School Counselors in Baldwin Park, CA earn a median of $94,311 per year (2026 est.), which is 46.59% higher than the national median of $64,335 and 2.50% below the California state average of $96,729.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Baldwin Park has a cost of living 13.10% above the national average.
Adjusted salary = nominal × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average.
Baldwin Park, CA has a cost-of-living index of 113.1 (above the national average of 100). While the nominal salary of $94,311 is competitive, the higher cost of living reduces purchasing power to an effective $83,387 — a 11.58% reduction.
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2019 BLS Actual
$81,943
2025 BLS Actual
$92,416
2026 Current Est.
$94,311
2019–2027 Growth
+17.5%
Salary Trajectory for School Counselors in Baldwin Park (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 2.05% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $81,943 | Actual |
| 2020 | $83,495 | Actual |
| 2021 | $86,928 | Actual |
| 2022 | $86,397 | Actual |
| 2023 | $88,652 | Actual |
| 2024 | $97,039 | Actual |
| 2025 | $92,416 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $94,311 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $96,244 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Baldwin Park metropolitan area, the median school counselor salary grew 12.8% from $81,943 (2019) to $92,416 (2025). At a 2.05% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $96,244 by 2027 — a total increase of $14,301 (17.45%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Baldwin Park 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) | $67,735 – $73,766 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $73,766 – $94,311 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $94,311 – $120,717 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $120,717 – $146,182 |
SC, LSC salary ranges estimated from BLS percentile data. Individual school counselor compensation varies by employer, certifications, and specialization.
School Counselor Job Market in Baldwin Park
Looking deeper into the local job market, Baldwin Park employs 19 school counselors, highlighting a focused yet competitive environment. The cost of living index stands at 113.1, indicating that living expenses exceed the national average, which can impact overall take-home pay. Among the various employers, K-12 public school districts generally offer the most competitive compensation, adhering to the step-and-lane pay structure based on years of experience and education level. Factors contributing to the disparity in salaries include high-cost-of-living district premiums, further education obtained (master’s plus certification), and additional responsibilities like summer programs and leadership roles. Counselors looking to maximize their salary potential should consider pursuing advanced degrees and specialized certifications, as well as actively seeking stipends for extracurricular and administrative assignments within Baldwin Park's educational landscape.
More salary data for Baldwin Park, 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
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 $92,416 for school counselorsin the Baldwin Park 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 Baldwin Park 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