How much does a counselor make in California?
$48,850a year
Median yearly pay for counselors in California. That is $23.49 an hour or $4,071 a month.
- Hourly
- $23.49
- Vs. national median
- -4%
- Rank among states
- 28 of 44
- Jobs in the state
- 10,770
Pay range
Lowest 10%: $39,140Median: $48,850Highest 10%: $99,760
| Percentile | Yearly | Hourly | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 10th | $39,140 | $18.82 | |
| 25th | $45,480 | $21.87 | |
| Median | $48,850 | $23.49 | |
| 75th | $61,620 | $29.63 | |
| 90th | $99,760 | $47.96 |
Cities in California
Metro areas, median yearly pay.
| San Luis Obispo, CA | $91,940 |
| San Jose, CA | $83,930 |
| Santa Maria, CA | $61,620 |
| Vallejo, CA | $60,280 |
| Santa Rosa, CA | $55,120 |
| San Francisco, CA | $54,820 |
| Los Angeles, CA | $48,830 |
| Santa Cruz, CA | $48,620 |
| Salinas, CA | $48,200 |
| San Diego, CA | $47,970 |
| Sacramento, CA | $47,920 |
| Modesto, CA | $47,360 |
| Visalia, CA | $47,280 |
| Riverside, CA | $46,190 |
| Fresno, CA | $45,180 |
| Bakersfield, CA | $42,790 |
| Yuba City, CA | $35,640 |
Nearby in the ranking
States with similar pay for counselors.
| 25. Illinois | $49,360 |
| 26. Arkansas | $49,310 |
| 27. Delaware | $48,990 |
| 28. California | $48,850 |
| 29. Louisiana | $47,830 |
| 30. New Hampshire | $47,770 |
| 31. Minnesota | $47,740 |
Frequently asked questions
How much does a counselor make an hour in California?
The median hourly pay in California is $23.49 ($48,850 a year).
Do counselors make more in California than the national average?
No: $48,850 against $50,860 nationally, 4% less.
Where does California rank for counselor pay?
California ranks 28 of 44 states.
Which city in California pays counselors the most?
San Luis Obispo-Paso Robles, CA, with a median of $91,940 a year.
Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS): pay in May 2025, published by BLS in 2026. Hourly pay is the yearly figure divided by 2,080 hours.