How much does a counselor make in San Francisco?
$54,820a year
Median yearly pay for counselors in the San Francisco-Oakland-Fremont, CA metro area. That is $26.36 an hour or $4,568 a month.
- Hourly
- $26.36
- Vs. national median
- +8%
- Rank among cities
- 38 of 100
- Jobs in the area
- 1,260
Pay range
Lowest 10%: $43,910Median: $54,820Highest 10%: $94,390
| Percentile | Yearly | Hourly | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 10th | $43,910 | $21.11 | |
| 25th | $48,380 | $23.26 | |
| Median | $54,820 | $26.36 | |
| 75th | $61,550 | $29.59 | |
| 90th | $94,390 | $45.38 |
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 |
| 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 |
Related jobs in San Francisco
Same field, median yearly pay.
| Probation Officer and Correctional Treatment Specialist | $135,900 |
| Healthcare Social Worker | $99,640 |
| Health Education Specialist | $99,260 |
| Educational | $94,600 |
| Mental Health and Substance Abuse Social Worker | $87,550 |
| Religious Worker | $86,330 |
| Social Worker | $78,480 |
| Marriage and Family Therapist | $77,210 |
| Director | $75,420 |
| Clergy | $74,580 |
Frequently asked questions
How much does a counselor make an hour in San Francisco?
The median hourly pay in the San Francisco-Oakland-Fremont, CA metro area is $26.36 ($54,820 a year).
Do counselors make more in San Francisco than the national average?
Yes: $54,820 against $50,860 nationally, 8% more.
How does San Francisco compare with the rest of California?
The median in California is $48,850, so San Francisco pays 12% more.
Where does San Francisco rank for counselor pay?
38 of 100 metro areas with data.
How much does a counselor make starting out in San Francisco?
The lowest-paid 10% make $43,910 or less a year; the top 10% make $94,390 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.