School Counselor Salary in San Francisco, CA: $94,609 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time school counselor in San Francisco, CA earns a median $94,609/year (≈ $45.48/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 21-1012). Once you factor in San Francisco's price level (16% above national, BEA RPP 115.6), that paycheck buys what $81,832 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 2.2% below the California state average.
Official BLS data · View source
In 2026, school counselors in San Francisco can expect a median annual salary of $94,609, significantly higher than the national average of $64,335. This reflects the local commitment to mental health resources, especially following the post-COVID expansion of funding that has increased hiring across school districts. Salaries range notably from $58,015 at the lower end to $149,993 at the higher end, indicating a diverse market for school counselor pay in San Francisco CA. These insights are drawn from official Bureau of Labor Statistics OEWS surveys, which highlight a competitive job environment driven by an increased awareness of the importance of mental health support in educational settings.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $58,015 | $27.89 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $69,936 | $33.63 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $94,609 | $45.48 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $122,031 | $58.67 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $149,993 | $72.12 |
Median Salary Position
47.06% above the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in San Francisco
In San Francisco, CA, the school counselor salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $91,978 (2026 est.). At $94,609, the local median is 47.06% above the national median of $64,335.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in San Francisco: You'd be in the lower-middle range
How San Francisco School Counselor Pay Compares
San Francisco median: $94,609/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | San Francisco Pays |
|---|---|---|
| California Average | $96,737 | -2.20% less |
| National Average | $64,335 | +47.06% more |
School Counselors in San Francisco, CA earn a median of $94,609 per year (2026 est.), which is 47.06% higher than the national median of $64,335 and 2.20% below the California state average of $96,737.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
San Francisco has a cost of living 15.61% above the national average.
Adjusted salary = nominal × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average.
San Francisco, CA has a cost-of-living index of 115.613 (above the national average of 100). While the nominal salary of $94,609 is competitive, the higher cost of living reduces purchasing power to an effective $81,832 — a 13.51% reduction.
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2019 BLS Actual
$73,410
2025 BLS Actual
$92,708
2026 Current Est.
$94,609
2019–2027 Growth
+31.5%
Salary Trajectory for School Counselors in San Francisco (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 2.05% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $73,410 | Actual |
| 2020 | $73,140 | Actual |
| 2021 | $77,640 | Actual |
| 2022 | $74,670 | Actual |
| 2023 | $79,850 | Actual |
| 2024 | $100,960 | Actual |
| 2025 | $92,708 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $94,609 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $96,548 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the San Francisco metropolitan area, the median school counselor salary grew 26.3% from $73,410 (2019) to $92,708 (2025). At a 2.05% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $96,548 by 2027 — a total increase of $23,138 (31.52%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the San Francisco 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) | $58,015 – $69,936 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $69,936 – $94,609 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $94,609 – $122,031 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $122,031 – $149,993 |
SC, LSC salary ranges estimated from BLS percentile data. Individual school counselor compensation varies by employer, certifications, and specialization.
School Counselor Job Market in San Francisco
With approximately 5,270 school counselors employed in the region, the local job market demonstrates robust demand. However, the cost of living index in San Francisco sits at 115.613, which is substantially above the national average, impacting take-home pay and purchasing power for counselors. The highest salaries are typically offered by K-12 public school districts, particularly for those in urban areas or specialized roles. The disparity in salary levels can often be attributed to the traditional K-12 step-and-lane pay scale, which factors in years of service and educational qualifications. To maximize earning potential, school counselors should consider obtaining advanced degrees or taking on leadership roles, along with exploring extended contracts or participation in summer programs, aiming to strategically position themselves within a competitive marketplace where both experience and specialty can lead to significant salary boosts.
More salary data for San Francisco, 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 $92,708 for school counselorsin the San Francisco 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