How much does a counselor make in Santa Maria?
$61,620a year
Median yearly pay for counselors in the Santa Maria-Santa Barbara, CA metro area. That is $29.63 an hour or $5,135 a month.
- Hourly
- $29.63
- Vs. national median
- +21%
- Rank among cities
- 24 of 100
- Jobs in the area
- 110
Pay range
Lowest 10%: $43,970Median: $61,620Highest 10%: $101,300
| Percentile | Yearly | Hourly | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 10th | $43,970 | $21.14 | |
| 25th | $48,050 | $23.10 | |
| Median | $61,620 | $29.63 | |
| 75th | $66,070 | $31.76 | |
| 90th | $101,300 | $48.71 |
Other cities in California
Median yearly pay for counselors.
| San Luis Obispo, CA | $91,940 |
| San Jose, CA | $83,930 |
| 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 Santa Maria
Same field, median yearly pay.
| Healthcare Social Worker | $93,200 |
| Educational | $86,500 |
| Marriage and Family Therapist | $85,450 |
| Clergy | $81,280 |
| Mental Health and Substance Abuse Social Worker | $81,240 |
| Health Education Specialist | $65,000 |
| Substance Abuse | $63,010 |
| Child | $57,710 |
| Community and Social Service Specialist | $56,770 |
| Social and Human Service Assistant | $55,160 |
Frequently asked questions
How much does a counselor make an hour in Santa Maria?
The median hourly pay in the Santa Maria-Santa Barbara, CA metro area is $29.63 ($61,620 a year).
Do counselors make more in Santa Maria than the national average?
Yes: $61,620 against $50,860 nationally, 21% more.
How does Santa Maria compare with the rest of California?
The median in California is $48,850, so Santa Maria pays 26% more.
Where does Santa Maria rank for counselor pay?
24 of 100 metro areas with data.
How much does a counselor make starting out in Santa Maria?
The lowest-paid 10% make $43,970 or less a year; the top 10% make $101,300 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.