How much does a counselor make in San Jose?
$83,930a year
Median yearly pay for counselors in the San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara, CA metro area. That is $40.35 an hour or $6,994 a month.
- Hourly
- $40.35
- Vs. national median
- +65%
- Rank among cities
- 5 of 100
- Jobs in the area
- 550
Pay range
Lowest 10%: $49,680Median: $83,930Highest 10%: $134,900
| Percentile | Yearly | Hourly | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 10th | $49,680 | $23.88 | |
| 25th | $56,020 | $26.93 | |
| Median | $83,930 | $40.35 | |
| 75th | $134,900 | $64.87 | |
| 90th | $134,900 | $64.87 |
Other cities in California
Median yearly pay for counselors.
| San Luis Obispo, CA | $91,940 |
| 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 |
Related jobs in San Jose
Same field, median yearly pay.
| Probation Officer and Correctional Treatment Specialist | $144,400 |
| Mental Health and Substance Abuse Social Worker | $109,100 |
| Healthcare Social Worker | $107,200 |
| Educational | $95,390 |
| Marriage and Family Therapist | $95,110 |
| Social Worker | $93,340 |
| Child | $87,600 |
| Clergy | $77,510 |
| Health Education Specialist | $75,810 |
| Substance Abuse | $72,550 |
Frequently asked questions
How much does a counselor make an hour in San Jose?
The median hourly pay in the San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara, CA metro area is $40.35 ($83,930 a year).
Do counselors make more in San Jose than the national average?
Yes: $83,930 against $50,860 nationally, 65% more.
How does San Jose compare with the rest of California?
The median in California is $48,850, so San Jose pays 72% more.
Where does San Jose rank for counselor pay?
5 of 100 metro areas with data.
How much does a counselor make starting out in San Jose?
The lowest-paid 10% make $49,680 or less a year; the top 10% make $134,900 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.