School Counselor Salary in Vallejo, CA: $91,679 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time school counselor in Vallejo, CA earns a median $91,679/year (≈ $44.08/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 21-1012). Once you factor in Vallejo's price level (8% above national, BEA RPP 108.5), that paycheck buys what $84,513 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 5.2% below the California state average.
Official BLS data · View source
In 2026, a school counselor salary in Vallejo, California, is projected to reach a median of $91,679, significantly exceeding the national average of $64,335 by approximately 42.50%. With a salary range from $50,955 at the 10th percentile to $132,512 at the 90th percentile, these figures signal a competitive compensation structure within the region. This data derives from comprehensive surveys carried out by the Bureau of Labor Statistics, reflecting the city's unique job market dynamics. While the American School Counselor Association recommends a counselor-to-student ratio of 1:250, Vallejo's ratio may indicate an ongoing demand for counseling professionals, presenting both challenges and opportunities for current and aspiring school counselors.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $50,955 | $24.49 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $66,006 | $31.74 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $91,679 | $44.08 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $121,181 | $58.26 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $132,512 | $63.71 |
Median Salary Position
42.50% above the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Vallejo
In Vallejo, CA, the school counselor salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $81,557 (2026 est.). At $91,679, the local median is 42.5% above the national median of $64,335.
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At 40 hours/week in Vallejo: You'd be above the median
How Vallejo School Counselor Pay Compares
Vallejo median: $91,679/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Vallejo Pays |
|---|---|---|
| California Average | $96,707 | -5.20% less |
| National Average | $64,335 | +42.50% more |
School Counselors in Vallejo, CA earn a median of $91,679 per year (2026 est.), which is 42.50% higher than the national median of $64,335 and 5.20% below the California state average of $96,707.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Vallejo has a cost of living 8.48% above the national average.
Adjusted salary = nominal × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average.
Vallejo, CA has a cost-of-living index of 108.479 (above the national average of 100). While the nominal salary of $91,679 is competitive, the higher cost of living reduces purchasing power to an effective $84,513 — a 7.82% reduction.
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2019 BLS Actual
$57,690
2025 BLS Actual
$89,837
2026 Current Est.
$91,679
2019–2027 Growth
+62.2%
Salary Trajectory for School Counselors in Vallejo (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 2.05% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $57,690 | Actual |
| 2020 | $61,170 | Actual |
| 2021 | $77,260 | Actual |
| 2022 | $77,720 | Actual |
| 2023 | $77,300 | Actual |
| 2024 | $79,830 | Actual |
| 2025 | $89,837 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $91,679 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $93,558 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Vallejo metropolitan area, the median school counselor salary grew 55.7% from $57,690 (2019) to $89,837 (2025). At a 2.05% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $93,558 by 2027 — a total increase of $35,868 (62.17%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Vallejo 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) | $50,955 – $66,006 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $66,006 – $91,679 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $91,679 – $121,181 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $121,181 – $132,512 |
SC, LSC salary ranges estimated from BLS percentile data. Individual school counselor compensation varies by employer, certifications, and specialization.
School Counselor Job Market in Vallejo
In Vallejo, approximately 270 school counselors work, reflecting a robust professional community. The cost of living index sits at 108.479, indicating that while salaries are higher than the national median, the expenses associated with living in the area can influence take-home pay and purchasing power. Among local employers, K-12 public school districts offer varied payment scales primarily determined by the step-and-lane pay structure, which factors in years of experience and education levels. Additional earning potential can arise through summer programs, extended contracts, and stipends for roles like department heads or club advisors. Therefore, school counselor pay in Vallejo, CA, can be maximized by pursuing advanced degrees or certifications and actively engaging in professional development opportunities to reach higher placement on salary scales.
More salary data for Vallejo, 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 $89,837 for school counselorsin the Vallejo 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