School Counselor Salary in Bellflower, CA: $96,157 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time school counselor in Bellflower, CA earns a median $96,157/year (≈ $46.23/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 21-1012). Once you factor in Bellflower's price level (13% above national, BEA RPP 113.1), that paycheck buys what $85,019 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 0.6% below the California state average.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
Projected figures for 2026 indicate a median annual salary of $96,157 for school counselors in Bellflower, California, substantially higher than the national median of $64,335. With a salary range that spans from $64,432 at the lower end to $149,043 for the top earners, these local estimates underscore the demand and value placed on school counseling as education systems navigate post-COVID challenges. Bellflower’s school counselor-to-student ratio diverges from the recommended 1:250, reflecting potential staffing needs and the broader context of a mental health crisis. Such salary distributions suggest that experienced professionals, especially those equipped with advanced degrees or who take on additional roles, can negotiate better compensation, highlighting the significance of qualifications and tenure in this competitive field.
About the Bellflower Market
Salary estimated from California average ($88,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $64,432 | $30.97 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $77,435 | $37.23 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $96,157 | $46.23 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $123,080 | $59.17 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $149,043 | $71.66 |
Median Salary Position
49.46% above the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Bellflower
In Bellflower, CA, the school counselor salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $84,611 (2026 est.). At $96,157, the local median is 49.46% above the national median of $64,335.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in Bellflower: You'd be in the lower-middle range
How Bellflower School Counselor Pay Compares
Bellflower median: $96,157/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Bellflower Pays |
|---|---|---|
| California Average | $96,737 | -0.60% less |
| National Average | $64,335 | +49.46% more |
School Counselors in Bellflower, CA earn a median of $96,157 per year (2026 est.), which is 49.46% higher than the national median of $64,335 and 0.60% below the California state average of $96,737.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Bellflower has a cost of living 13.10% above the national average.
Adjusted salary = nominal × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average.
Bellflower, CA has a cost-of-living index of 113.1 (above the national average of 100). While the nominal salary of $96,157 is competitive, the higher cost of living reduces purchasing power to an effective $85,019 — a 11.58% reduction.
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2019 BLS Actual
$83,547
2025 BLS Actual
$94,225
2026 Current Est.
$96,157
2019–2027 Growth
+17.5%
Salary Trajectory for School Counselors in Bellflower (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 2.05% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $83,547 | Actual |
| 2020 | $85,129 | Actual |
| 2021 | $88,630 | Actual |
| 2022 | $88,088 | Actual |
| 2023 | $90,387 | Actual |
| 2024 | $98,939 | Actual |
| 2025 | $94,225 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $96,157 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $98,128 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Bellflower metropolitan area, the median school counselor salary grew 12.8% from $83,547 (2019) to $94,225 (2025). At a 2.05% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $98,128 by 2027 — a total increase of $14,581 (17.45%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Bellflower 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) | $64,432 – $77,435 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $77,435 – $96,157 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $96,157 – $123,080 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $123,080 – $149,043 |
SC, LSC salary ranges estimated from BLS percentile data. Individual school counselor compensation varies by employer, certifications, and specialization.
School Counselor Job Market in Bellflower
In Bellflower, where 11 school counselors are currently employed, the cost of living index stands at 113.1, indicating that living expenses are above the national average. This factor impacts the real value of take-home pay for school counselors, making the higher salaries critical for maintaining quality of life. Among local employers, K-12 public school districts typically offer the most competitive compensation packages, structured similarly to teacher pay with step-and-lane scales. The varied salary levels stem from multiple factors, such as additional stipends for roles like department heads or advisors and a preference for advanced educational qualifications. For those looking to maximize their earnings, pursuing continued education and diversifying their roles within their school districts can be effective strategies in this evolving job market of Bellflower, CA.
More salary data for Bellflower, 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 $94,225 for school counselorsin the Bellflower 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 Bellflower 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