How much does a counselor make in Santa Cruz?
$48,620a year
Median yearly pay for counselors in the Santa Cruz-Watsonville, CA metro area. That is $23.38 an hour or $4,052 a month.
- Hourly
- $23.38
- Vs. national median
- -4%
- Rank among cities
- 62 of 100
- Jobs in the area
- 50
Pay range
Lowest 10%: $40,810Median: $48,620Highest 10%: $121,800
| Percentile | Yearly | Hourly | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 10th | $40,810 | $19.62 | |
| 25th | $44,820 | $21.55 | |
| Median | $48,620 | $23.38 | |
| 75th | $52,630 | $25.30 | |
| 90th | $121,800 | $58.56 |
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 |
| 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 Santa Cruz
Same field, median yearly pay.
| Healthcare Social Worker | $89,430 |
| Health Education Specialist | $78,640 |
| Educational | $74,990 |
| Marriage and Family Therapist | $70,910 |
| Mental Health and Substance Abuse Social Worker | $62,680 |
| Child | $61,960 |
| Clergy | $61,630 |
| Community Health Worker | $59,470 |
| Substance Abuse | $58,790 |
| Community and Social Service Specialist | $57,950 |
Frequently asked questions
How much does a counselor make an hour in Santa Cruz?
The median hourly pay in the Santa Cruz-Watsonville, CA metro area is $23.38 ($48,620 a year).
Do counselors make more in Santa Cruz than the national average?
No: $48,620 against $50,860 nationally, 4% less.
How does Santa Cruz compare with the rest of California?
The median in California is $48,850, so Santa Cruz pays 0% more.
Where does Santa Cruz rank for counselor pay?
62 of 100 metro areas with data.
How much does a counselor make starting out in Santa Cruz?
The lowest-paid 10% make $40,810 or less a year; the top 10% make $121,800 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.