School Counselor Salary in Los Angeles, CA: $79,007 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time school counselor in Los Angeles, CA earns a median $79,007/year (≈ $37.98/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 21-1012). Once you factor in Los Angeles's price level (14% above national, BEA RPP 113.6), that paycheck buys what $69,569 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 18.3% below the California state average.
Official BLS data · View source
In 2026, school counselors in Los Angeles can expect a median annual salary of $79,007, significantly outpacing the national median of $64,335 by 22.81%. The salary range for these roles spans from $49,694 at the 10th percentile to $135,042 at the 90th percentile, highlighting the disparity in pay that can exist based on experience and qualifications. This data, derived from 2025 BLS OEWS surveys, reflects both the local demand for counselors—amidst a national average ratio of one counselor per 385 students compared to the ASCA-recommended ratio of 1:250—and the unique salary dynamics of the Los Angeles school district. The robust job market features opportunities across various educational settings, from K-12 public schools to post-secondary institutions, indicating a competitive landscape for school counselor positions.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $49,694 | $23.89 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $60,545 | $29.11 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $79,007 | $37.98 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $109,110 | $52.45 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $135,042 | $64.92 |
Median Salary Position
22.81% above the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Los Angeles
In Los Angeles, CA, the school counselor salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $85,348 (2026 est.). At $79,007, the local median is 22.81% above the national median of $64,335.
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At 40 hours/week in Los Angeles: You'd be in the lower-middle range
How Los Angeles School Counselor Pay Compares
Los Angeles median: $79,007/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Los Angeles Pays |
|---|---|---|
| California Average | $96,704 | -18.30% less |
| National Average | $64,335 | +22.81% more |
School Counselors in Los Angeles, CA earn a median of $79,007 per year (2026 est.), which is 22.81% higher than the national median of $64,335 and 18.30% below the California state average of $96,704.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Los Angeles has a cost of living 13.57% above the national average.
Adjusted salary = nominal × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average.
Los Angeles, CA has a cost-of-living index of 113.566 (above the national average of 100). While the nominal salary of $79,007 is competitive, the higher cost of living reduces purchasing power to an effective $69,569 — a 11.95% reduction.
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2019 BLS Actual
$78,900
2025 BLS Actual
$77,420
2026 Current Est.
$79,007
2019–2027 Growth
+2.2%
Salary Trajectory for School Counselors in Los Angeles (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 2.05% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $78,900 | Actual |
| 2020 | $85,250 | Actual |
| 2021 | $74,350 | Actual |
| 2022 | $63,450 | Actual |
| 2023 | $77,640 | Actual |
| 2024 | $85,660 | Actual |
| 2025 | $77,420 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $79,007 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $80,627 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Los Angeles metropolitan area, the median school counselor salary grew -1.9% from $78,900 (2019) to $77,420 (2025). At a 2.05% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $80,627 by 2027 — a total increase of $1,727 (2.19%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Los Angeles 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) | $49,694 – $60,545 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $60,545 – $79,007 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $79,007 – $109,110 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $109,110 – $135,042 |
SC, LSC salary ranges estimated from BLS percentile data. Individual school counselor compensation varies by employer, certifications, and specialization.
School Counselor Job Market in Los Angeles
With 17,110 school counselors currently employed in Los Angeles, the local job market remains resilient, particularly in light of recent post-COVID funding aimed at enhancing mental health support in schools. The cost of living index in this area is set at 113.566, reflecting the challenges educators face in maintaining purchasing power despite relatively high salaries. Among the various employers, K-12 public school districts typically offer the most competitive packages, particularly for positions that leverage extended contracts or provide stipends for departmental leadership roles. The spread in salary from lower to higher pay levels can often be attributed to the step-and-lane pay structure tied to years of experience and educational attainment, alongside additional compensation for summer work or specific roles like club advisors. To maximize their earning potential, school counselors in Los Angeles should seek to enhance their qualifications through further education and consider engaging in leadership opportunities within their districts.
More salary data for Los Angeles, 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 $77,420 for school counselorsin the Los Angeles 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
Source: BLS, OEWS, 7-year dataset (–). Per-city data from annual BLS metropolitan area surveys.
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