School Counselor Salary in Fairfield, CA: $99,732 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time school counselor in Fairfield, CA earns a median $99,732/year (≈ $47.95/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 21-1012). Once you factor in Fairfield's price level (13% above national, BEA RPP 113.1), that paycheck buys what $88,180 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 3.1% above the California state average.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
Fairfield, CA is experiencing a favorable shift in school counselor salaries, with a projected median annual pay of $99,732 for 2026. This figure is notably higher than the national median of $64,335, reflecting a 55.02% premium for local professionals. The salary range for school counselors in this area is broad, spanning from $68,034 at the lower tenth percentile to $154,585 at the top ninetieth percentile. Local estimates derived from BLS state-level data and regional price adjustments indicate that the expansion of mental health funding post-COVID significantly influenced hiring practices, helping to elevate demand for qualified counselors in the school system. This trend positions Fairfield as a competitive job market for those entering the profession, particularly in the context of the heightened focus on student mental health.
About the Fairfield Market
Salary estimated from California average ($88,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $68,034 | $32.71 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $77,741 | $37.37 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $99,732 | $47.95 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $127,657 | $61.37 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $154,585 | $74.32 |
Median Salary Position
55.02% above the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Fairfield
In Fairfield, CA, the school counselor salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $86,551 (2026 est.). At $99,732, the local median is 55.02% above the national median of $64,335.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in Fairfield: You'd be in the lower-middle range
How Fairfield School Counselor Pay Compares
Fairfield median: $99,732/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Fairfield Pays |
|---|---|---|
| California Average | $96,734 | +3.10% more |
| National Average | $64,335 | +55.02% more |
School Counselors in Fairfield, CA earn a median of $99,732 per year (2026 est.), which is 55.02% higher than the national median of $64,335 and 3.10% above the California state average of $96,734.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Fairfield has a cost of living 13.10% above the national average.
Adjusted salary = nominal × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average.
Fairfield, CA has a cost-of-living index of 113.1 (above the national average of 100). While the nominal salary of $99,732 is competitive, the higher cost of living reduces purchasing power to an effective $88,180 — a 11.58% reduction.
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2019 BLS Actual
$86,654
2025 BLS Actual
$97,729
2026 Current Est.
$99,732
2019–2027 Growth
+17.5%
Salary Trajectory for School Counselors in Fairfield (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 2.05% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $86,654 | Actual |
| 2020 | $88,295 | Actual |
| 2021 | $91,926 | Actual |
| 2022 | $91,364 | Actual |
| 2023 | $93,749 | Actual |
| 2024 | $102,618 | Actual |
| 2025 | $97,729 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $99,732 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $101,777 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Fairfield metropolitan area, the median school counselor salary grew 12.8% from $86,654 (2019) to $97,729 (2025). At a 2.05% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $101,777 by 2027 — a total increase of $15,123 (17.45%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Fairfield 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) | $68,034 – $77,741 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $77,741 – $99,732 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $99,732 – $127,657 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $127,657 – $154,585 |
SC, LSC salary ranges estimated from BLS percentile data. Individual school counselor compensation varies by employer, certifications, and specialization.
School Counselor Job Market in Fairfield
In the local job market, 25 school counselors are currently employed, which suggests a robust demand for educational support professionals in Fairfield. However, the cost-of-living index here stands at 113.1, which is above the national average and can affect overall purchasing power. To maximize earning potential in this market, professionals should consider employment opportunities within K-12 public school districts, charter schools, and private institutions, as these often adhere to step-and-lane pay scales based on education levels and years of experience. The disparity in pay can be attributed to factors such as added responsibilities, extended school year contracts, and specialized roles like department heads. Counselors looking to boost their compensation should seek leadership positions or take on additional certifications, as advanced qualifications can enhance negotiating power when discussing salaries.
More salary data for Fairfield, 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 $97,729 for school counselorsin the Fairfield 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 Fairfield 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