School Counselor Salary in El Monte, CA: $99,248 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time school counselor in El Monte, CA earns a median $99,248/year (≈ $47.72/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 21-1012). Once you factor in El Monte's price level (13% above national, BEA RPP 113.1), that paycheck buys what $87,752 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 2.6% above the California state average.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
In 2026, school counselors in El Monte, California can expect to earn a median annual salary of $99,248, significantly higher than the national median of $64,335. The salary range for these professionals varies from $67,031 at the 10th percentile to $153,834 at the 90th percentile, reflecting the differing levels of experience and education. Local estimates derived from 2025 BLS data, adjusted for regional cost of living, indicate that educators placing at the master's level on the step-and-lane scale command competitive compensation, especially for those with additional qualifications. El Monte's school counselor pay reflects the demand for mental health support following COVID-19 and suggests an evolving job market that prioritizes qualified individuals.
About the El Monte Market
Salary estimated from California average ($88,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $67,031 | $32.23 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $76,778 | $36.91 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $99,248 | $47.72 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $127,037 | $61.08 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $153,834 | $73.96 |
Median Salary Position
54.27% above the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in El Monte
In El Monte, CA, the school counselor salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $86,803 (2026 est.). At $99,248, the local median is 54.27% above the national median of $64,335.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in El Monte: You'd be in the lower-middle range
How El Monte School Counselor Pay Compares
El Monte median: $99,248/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | El Monte Pays |
|---|---|---|
| California Average | $96,733 | +2.60% more |
| National Average | $64,335 | +54.27% more |
School Counselors in El Monte, CA earn a median of $99,248 per year (2026 est.), which is 54.27% higher than the national median of $64,335 and 2.60% above the California state average of $96,733.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
El Monte has a cost of living 13.10% above the national average.
Adjusted salary = nominal × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average.
El Monte, CA has a cost-of-living index of 113.1 (above the national average of 100). While the nominal salary of $99,248 is competitive, the higher cost of living reduces purchasing power to an effective $87,752 — a 11.58% reduction.
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2019 BLS Actual
$86,233
2025 BLS Actual
$97,254
2026 Current Est.
$99,248
2019–2027 Growth
+17.5%
Salary Trajectory for School Counselors in El Monte (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 2.05% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $86,233 | Actual |
| 2020 | $87,866 | Actual |
| 2021 | $91,479 | Actual |
| 2022 | $90,920 | Actual |
| 2023 | $93,293 | Actual |
| 2024 | $102,120 | Actual |
| 2025 | $97,254 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $99,248 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $101,282 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the El Monte metropolitan area, the median school counselor salary grew 12.8% from $86,233 (2019) to $97,254 (2025). At a 2.05% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $101,282 by 2027 — a total increase of $15,049 (17.45%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the El Monte 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) | $67,031 – $76,778 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $76,778 – $99,248 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $99,248 – $127,037 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $127,037 – $153,834 |
SC, LSC salary ranges estimated from BLS percentile data. Individual school counselor compensation varies by employer, certifications, and specialization.
School Counselor Job Market in El Monte
With 20 school counselors currently employed in the area, the job market remains relatively stable, albeit influenced by the higher cost of living index of 113.1. This figure indicates that while salaries are attractive, the purchasing power can be affected by local expenses. K-12 public school districts, including elementary and high schools, typically offer the best compensation packages, often utilizing a step-and-lane pay scale based on experience and education levels, which ranges from master's to doctorate placements. Various factors contribute to the wide salary range, such as the demand for counselors, extended contracts, and stipends for roles like department heads or club advisors. For those seeking to maximize their salaries in El Monte CA, strategic moves include pursuing advanced degrees, obtaining certifications related to mental health, and seeking roles that extend beyond traditional counseling hours into summer programs and district leadership opportunities.
More salary data for El Monte, 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 $97,254 for school counselorsin the El Monte 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 El Monte 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