School Counselor Salary in Carson, CA: $94,800 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time school counselor in Carson, CA earns a median $94,800/year (≈ $45.58/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 21-1012). Once you factor in Carson's price level (13% above national, BEA RPP 113.1), that paycheck buys what $83,820 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 2.0% below the California state average.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
School counselors in Carson, California, are projected to earn a median annual salary of $94,800 in 2026, significantly higher than the national median of $64,335. With a salary range spanning from $68,960 at the 10th percentile to $146,941 at the 90th percentile, Carson’s pay for this role reflects local economic conditions and the demand for school counseling services. Despite the American School Counselor Association (ASCA) recommending a counselor-to-student ratio of 1:250, schools in the region are often managing higher ratios, which can indicate a growing need for mental health support following the recent funding expansions. The competitive salaries available in this area, drawn from estimates based on 2025 BLS data, position Carson as an attractive location for school counselors considering their career options in California.
About the Carson Market
Salary estimated from California average ($88,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $68,960 | $33.16 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $76,807 | $36.92 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $94,800 | $45.58 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $119,307 | $57.36 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $146,941 | $70.65 |
Median Salary Position
47.35% above the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Carson
In Carson, CA, the school counselor salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $77,981 (2026 est.). At $94,800, the local median is 47.35% above the national median of $64,335.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in Carson: You'd be in the lower-middle range
How Carson School Counselor Pay Compares
Carson median: $94,800/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Carson Pays |
|---|---|---|
| California Average | $96,735 | -2.00% less |
| National Average | $64,335 | +47.35% more |
School Counselors in Carson, CA earn a median of $94,800 per year (2026 est.), which is 47.35% higher than the national median of $64,335 and 2.00% below the California state average of $96,735.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Carson has a cost of living 13.10% above the national average.
Adjusted salary = nominal × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average.
Carson, CA has a cost-of-living index of 113.1 (above the national average of 100). While the nominal salary of $94,800 is competitive, the higher cost of living reduces purchasing power to an effective $83,820 — 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
$82,369
2025 BLS Actual
$92,896
2026 Current Est.
$94,800
2019–2027 Growth
+17.5%
Salary Trajectory for School Counselors in Carson (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 2.05% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $82,369 | Actual |
| 2020 | $83,928 | Actual |
| 2021 | $87,380 | Actual |
| 2022 | $86,845 | Actual |
| 2023 | $89,113 | Actual |
| 2024 | $97,543 | Actual |
| 2025 | $92,896 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $94,800 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $96,744 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Carson metropolitan area, the median school counselor salary grew 12.8% from $82,369 (2019) to $92,896 (2025). At a 2.05% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $96,744 by 2027 — a total increase of $14,375 (17.45%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Carson 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) | $68,960 – $76,807 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $76,807 – $94,800 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $94,800 – $119,307 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $119,307 – $146,941 |
SC, LSC salary ranges estimated from BLS percentile data. Individual school counselor compensation varies by employer, certifications, and specialization.
School Counselor Job Market in Carson
The local job market for school counselors consists of approximately 21 professionals, and the cost of living index in Carson stands at 113.1, indicating a higher-than-average cost of living that can impact take-home pay. Those working in K-12 public school districts typically benefit from a structured step-and-lane pay system that factors in years of experience and education levels, while higher salaries may be found in charter schools or private institutions. The variance in school counselor pay in Carson is driven by elements such as advanced degrees, additional summer contracts, and positions that include stipends for extra roles, such as department heads or club advisors. To maximize earning potential, school counselors in this area should pursue continuing education opportunities and seek roles within organizations that prioritize mental health funding and offer competitive benefits.
More salary data for Carson, CA:
Frequently Asked Questions
How much do school counselors make in Carson, CA in 2026?
Is Carson, CA a good place to work as a school counselor?
Can school counselors make $100K in Carson?
What is the cost-of-living adjusted school counselor salary in Carson?
How much does a school counselor make per hour in Carson?
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 $92,896 for school counselorsin the Carson 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 Carson 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