School Counselor Salary in Oakley, CA: $93,636 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time school counselor in Oakley, CA earns a median $93,636/year (≈ $45.01/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 21-1012). Once you factor in Oakley's price level (13% above national, BEA RPP 113.1), that paycheck buys what $82,790 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 3.2% below the California state average.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
In Oakley, California, school counselors are projected to earn an annual median salary of $93,636 in 2026, a figure significantly higher than the national median of $64,335. The salary range for this profession spans from $63,732 at the 10th percentile to $145,136 for the top 90th percentile, reflecting the diverse levels of experience and educational attainment among counselors in the area. These figures are derived from estimates based on 2025 BLS data and adjusted for local cost of living factors, which can influence salary expectations. The city's employment climate for school counselors indicates a stable job market, accommodating the growing demand for mental health support in schools.
About the Oakley Market
Salary estimated from California average ($88,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $63,732 | $30.65 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $77,941 | $37.47 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $93,636 | $45.01 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $119,854 | $57.62 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $145,136 | $69.78 |
Median Salary Position
45.54% above the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Oakley
In Oakley, CA, the school counselor salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $81,404 (2026 est.). At $93,636, the local median is 45.54% above the national median of $64,335.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in Oakley: You'd be in the lower-middle range
How Oakley School Counselor Pay Compares
Oakley median: $93,636/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Oakley Pays |
|---|---|---|
| California Average | $96,731 | -3.20% less |
| National Average | $64,335 | +45.54% more |
School Counselors in Oakley, CA earn a median of $93,636 per year (2026 est.), which is 45.54% higher than the national median of $64,335 and 3.20% below the California state average of $96,731.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Oakley has a cost of living 13.10% above the national average.
Adjusted salary = nominal × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average.
Oakley, CA has a cost-of-living index of 113.1 (above the national average of 100). While the nominal salary of $93,636 is competitive, the higher cost of living reduces purchasing power to an effective $82,790 — a 11.58% reduction.
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2019 BLS Actual
$81,357
2025 BLS Actual
$91,755
2026 Current Est.
$93,636
2019–2027 Growth
+17.5%
Salary Trajectory for School Counselors in Oakley (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 2.05% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $81,357 | Actual |
| 2020 | $82,898 | Actual |
| 2021 | $86,306 | Actual |
| 2022 | $85,779 | Actual |
| 2023 | $88,018 | Actual |
| 2024 | $96,345 | Actual |
| 2025 | $91,755 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $93,636 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $95,556 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Oakley metropolitan area, the median school counselor salary grew 12.8% from $81,357 (2019) to $91,755 (2025). At a 2.05% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $95,556 by 2027 — a total increase of $14,199 (17.45%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Oakley 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) | $63,732 – $77,941 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $77,941 – $93,636 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $93,636 – $119,854 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $119,854 – $145,136 |
SC, LSC salary ranges estimated from BLS percentile data. Individual school counselor compensation varies by employer, certifications, and specialization.
School Counselor Job Market in Oakley
Examining the local job market, Oakley employs eight school counselors, which offers a relatively limited yet concentrated field of opportunities. With a cost-of-living index of 113.1, professionals must consider how this affects their take-home purchasing power. Among local entities, K-12 public school districts typically provide the highest school counselor pay in Oakley CA, owing to the established step-and-lane pay structure that factors in years of service and educational advancement. Pay differentiation is influenced by several variables, including the counselor's educational level (master's vs. master's+30 or doctorate), experience, and additional roles like department heads or club advisors. For those looking to maximize their earnings, enhancing qualifications through further education or seeking roles that offer extended contracts or stipends can significantly boost overall compensation.
More salary data for Oakley, 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 $91,755 for school counselorsin the Oakley 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 Oakley 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