School Counselor Salary in Madera, CA: $94,479 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time school counselor in Madera, CA earns a median $94,479/year (≈ $45.42/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 21-1012). Once you factor in Madera's price level (13% above national, BEA RPP 113.1), that paycheck buys what $83,536 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 2.3% below the California state average.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
In 2026, school counselors in Madera, California, can expect a median salary of $94,479, which is significantly higher than the national average of $64,335, representing a robust pay advantage of 46.85%. The projected salary range for school counselors locally stretches from $68,218 at the 10th percentile to $146,443 at the 90th percentile. These estimates, derived from 2025 BLS data and adjusted for local economic conditions, are a reflection of the post-COVID mental health funding expansion that has contributed to increased hiring in many districts. This dynamic job market in Madera underscores the growing recognition of the importance of mental wellness in educational settings.
About the Madera Market
Salary estimated from California average ($88,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $68,218 | $32.80 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $76,165 | $36.62 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $94,479 | $45.42 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $120,933 | $58.14 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $146,443 | $70.40 |
Median Salary Position
46.85% above the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Madera
In Madera, CA, the school counselor salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $78,225 (2026 est.). At $94,479, the local median is 46.85% above the national median of $64,335.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in Madera: You'd be in the lower-middle range
How Madera School Counselor Pay Compares
Madera median: $94,479/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Madera Pays |
|---|---|---|
| California Average | $96,703 | -2.30% less |
| National Average | $64,335 | +46.85% more |
School Counselors in Madera, CA earn a median of $94,479 per year (2026 est.), which is 46.85% higher than the national median of $64,335 and 2.30% below the California state average of $96,703.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Madera has a cost of living 13.10% above the national average.
Adjusted salary = nominal × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average.
Madera, CA has a cost-of-living index of 113.1 (above the national average of 100). While the nominal salary of $94,479 is competitive, the higher cost of living reduces purchasing power to an effective $83,536 — a 11.58% reduction.
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2019 BLS Actual
$82,090
2025 BLS Actual
$92,581
2026 Current Est.
$94,479
2019–2027 Growth
+17.5%
Salary Trajectory for School Counselors in Madera (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 2.05% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $82,090 | Actual |
| 2020 | $83,644 | Actual |
| 2021 | $80,050 | Actual |
| 2022 | $88,620 | Actual |
| 2023 | $88,650 | Actual |
| 2024 | $97,212 | Actual |
| 2025 | $92,581 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $94,479 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $96,416 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Madera metropolitan area, the median school counselor salary grew 12.8% from $82,090 (2019) to $92,581 (2025). At a 2.05% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $96,416 by 2027 — a total increase of $14,326 (17.45%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Madera 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) | $68,218 – $76,165 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $76,165 – $94,479 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $94,479 – $120,933 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $120,933 – $146,443 |
SC, LSC salary ranges estimated from BLS percentile data. Individual school counselor compensation varies by employer, certifications, and specialization.
School Counselor Job Market in Madera
As of now, Madera employs eight school counselors in the region, indicating a competitive market for these professionals. The cost of living index stands at 113.1, which suggests that while salaries appear attractive, they must contend with higher living expenses. K-12 public school districts provide the highest salaries, especially with the step-and-lane pay scale that considers the years of experience and educational qualifications of counselors. Factors like contract variations, summer programs, and stipend roles also create disparities between $32.80 and $70.40 per hour, influencing overall take-home pay. Counselors aspiring to maximize their income in Madera should consider additional certification or advanced degrees, taking on leadership roles, or participating in extended contracts that can enhance their overall compensation package.
More salary data for Madera, 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 $92,581 for school counselorsin the Madera 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 Madera 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