School Counselor Salary in Davis, CA: $93,613 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time school counselor in Davis, CA earns a median $93,613/year (≈ $45.00/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 21-1012). Once you factor in Davis's price level (13% above national, BEA RPP 113.1), that paycheck buys what $82,770 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 3.2% below the California state average.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
In 2026, school counselors in Davis, California, earn a median annual salary of $93,613, significantly higher than the national median of $64,335. This reflects a well-compensated position within K-12 education, despite an ongoing counselor-to-student ratio that deviates from the ASCA's ideal of 1:250. The salary range for this profession spans from $66,143 at the lower end (P10) to $145,100 at the upper end (P90). Local estimates, based on 2025 BLS data adjusted for regional cost of living, indicate that the high salary aligns with the demands and expectations placed on school counselors in this area. The job market for school counselors is competitive, partly influenced by the growing recognition of mental health needs in schools following the COVID-19 pandemic.
About the Davis Market
Salary estimated from California average ($88,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $66,143 | $31.80 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $74,452 | $35.80 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $93,613 | $45.00 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $119,824 | $57.61 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $145,100 | $69.76 |
Median Salary Position
45.51% above the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Davis
In Davis, CA, the school counselor salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $78,957 (2026 est.). At $93,613, the local median is 45.51% above the national median of $64,335.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in Davis: You'd be in the lower-middle range
How Davis School Counselor Pay Compares
Davis median: $93,613/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Davis Pays |
|---|---|---|
| California Average | $96,707 | -3.20% less |
| National Average | $64,335 | +45.51% more |
School Counselors in Davis, CA earn a median of $93,613 per year (2026 est.), which is 45.51% higher than the national median of $64,335 and 3.20% below the California state average of $96,707.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Davis has a cost of living 13.10% above the national average.
Adjusted salary = nominal × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average.
Davis, CA has a cost-of-living index of 113.1 (above the national average of 100). While the nominal salary of $93,613 is competitive, the higher cost of living reduces purchasing power to an effective $82,770 — a 11.58% reduction.
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2019 BLS Actual
$81,337
2025 BLS Actual
$91,732
2026 Current Est.
$93,613
2019–2027 Growth
+17.5%
Salary Trajectory for School Counselors in Davis (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 2.05% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $81,337 | Actual |
| 2020 | $82,877 | Actual |
| 2021 | $86,285 | Actual |
| 2022 | $85,757 | Actual |
| 2023 | $87,996 | Actual |
| 2024 | $96,322 | Actual |
| 2025 | $91,732 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $93,613 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $95,532 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Davis metropolitan area, the median school counselor salary grew 12.8% from $81,337 (2019) to $91,732 (2025). At a 2.05% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $95,532 by 2027 — a total increase of $14,195 (17.45%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Davis 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) | $66,143 – $74,452 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $74,452 – $93,613 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $93,613 – $119,824 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $119,824 – $145,100 |
SC, LSC salary ranges estimated from BLS percentile data. Individual school counselor compensation varies by employer, certifications, and specialization.
School Counselor Job Market in Davis
Davis hosts around 14 school counselors, reflecting a focused yet limited job market. With a cost-of-living index of 113.1, salaries must be contextualized within the local economy to understand real purchasing power. The highest-paying positions tend to be found within the K-12 public school districts, where structured step-and-lane pay scales reward experience and higher educational credentials. The disparity in salaries often arises from several factors, including the district's commitment to mental health funding, contract negotiations, and the inclusion of stipends for additional roles such as club advisors or department heads. Consequently, those who aim to maximize their school counselor pay in Davis should consider pursuing advanced degrees, seeking out extended school year contracts, and engaging in supplemental opportunities to enhance their overall earnings.
More salary data for Davis, 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 $91,732 for school counselorsin the Davis 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 Davis 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