How much does a counselor make in San Diego?
$47,970a year
Median yearly pay for counselors in the San Diego-Chula Vista-Carlsbad, CA metro area. That is $23.06 an hour or $3,998 a month.
- Hourly
- $23.06
- Vs. national median
- -6%
- Rank among cities
- 66 of 100
- Jobs in the area
- 610
Pay range
Lowest 10%: $37,920Median: $47,970Highest 10%: $66,490
| Percentile | Yearly | Hourly | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 10th | $37,920 | $18.23 | |
| 25th | $42,040 | $20.21 | |
| Median | $47,970 | $23.06 | |
| 75th | $54,390 | $26.15 | |
| 90th | $66,490 | $31.97 |
Other cities in California
Median yearly pay for counselors.
| 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 |
| Sacramento, CA | $47,920 |
| Modesto, CA | $47,360 |
| Visalia, CA | $47,280 |
| Riverside, CA | $46,190 |
| Fresno, CA | $45,180 |
| Bakersfield, CA | $42,790 |
Related jobs in San Diego
Same field, median yearly pay.
| Educational | $83,520 |
| Healthcare Social Worker | $82,630 |
| Clergy | $77,450 |
| Probation Officer and Correctional Treatment Specialist | $77,230 |
| Social Worker | $77,010 |
| Mental Health and Substance Abuse Social Worker | $75,570 |
| Director | $63,450 |
| Health Education Specialist | $62,500 |
| Child | $59,770 |
| Substance Abuse | $57,660 |
Frequently asked questions
How much does a counselor make an hour in San Diego?
The median hourly pay in the San Diego-Chula Vista-Carlsbad, CA metro area is $23.06 ($47,970 a year).
Do counselors make more in San Diego than the national average?
No: $47,970 against $50,860 nationally, 6% less.
How does San Diego compare with the rest of California?
The median in California is $48,850, so San Diego pays 2% less.
Where does San Diego rank for counselor pay?
66 of 100 metro areas with data.
How much does a counselor make starting out in San Diego?
The lowest-paid 10% make $37,920 or less a year; the top 10% make $66,490 or more.
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.