School Counselor Hourly Pay in Brea, CA: $44.13 (2026)
Quick Answer:Hourly pay for a school counselor working in Brea, CA runs $44.13 at the median for 2026 — annualizing to $91,775 at a standard 2,080-hour year. Figures projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 21-1012). Weighted against Brea's regional price level (BEA RPP 113.1, 13% above national), each hour of work buys what $39.02 nationally would. A 24-hour part-time schedule grosses $55,070 per year.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
In Brea, California, school counselors are projected to earn a median hourly rate of $44.13 in 2026, significantly higher than the national median of $30.93. This attractive hourly pay reflects the demand for school counselors, particularly in diverse environments such as elementary classrooms, middle school counseling groups, and high school individual counseling offices. For those working part-time, such as three days a week, the financial benefits can still be substantial, especially when factoring in the hourly range from $32.18 for entry-level positions to $68.39 for experienced counselors. These figures are essential for potential part-time and per-diem workers considering roles in college counseling resource centers or crisis response teams, indicating a competitive edge in Brea's job market.
About the Brea Market
Salary estimated from California average ($88,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
School Counselor Hourly Wage Breakdown
| Percentile | Hourly Rate | Per 8hr Shift |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $32.18 | $257.41 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $35.66 | $285.25 |
| Median (P50) | $44.13 | $353.01 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $56.47 | $451.80 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $68.39 | $547.15 |
Estimated Annual Income by Work Schedule in Brea
Based on $44.13/hr median hourly rate · 2026 est.
At $44.13/hr, a school counselor working full-time (40 hr/wk) in Brea, CA can expect to earn approximately $91,783 per year (2026 est.). Part-time hygienists working 24 hours per week would earn around $52,952. With a cost-of-living index of 113.10 (above the national average), these earnings may be offset by higher expenses in Brea.
Hourly Rate Calculator
Schedule Comparison in Brea
| Schedule | Weekly | Monthly | Annual |
|---|---|---|---|
| Full-Time (40 hrs) | $1,765.06 | $7,649 | $91,783 |
| Part-Time (24 hrs) | $1,059.03 | $4,589 | $55,070 |
| Per Diem (16 hrs) | $706.02 | $3,059 | $36,713 |
Compare SC, LSC Wages With Similar Roles
| Role | Median Hourly |
|---|---|
| School Counselor (Brea) | $44.13 |
| Mental Health Counselor (National Avg) | $28.69 |
| Social Worker (National Avg) | $29.33 |
| Elementary School Teacher (National Avg) | $32.79 |
| Instructional Coordinator (National Avg) | $36.21 |
School Counselors in Brea, CA earn a median of $91,775 per year (2026 est.), which is 42.65% higher than the national median of $64,335 and 5.10% below the California state average of $96,707.
School Counselor Hourly Pay vs. Cost of Living
Working 24h/week at $44.13/hr = $55,070/year (purchasing power: $48,691).
Working 40h/week (full-time) = $91,783/year (purchasing power: $81,152).
CoL index: 113.1 (100 = national average).
2019 BLS Actual
$38.34/hr
2025 BLS Actual
$43.24/hr
2026 Current Est.
$44.13/hr
2019–2027 Growth
+17.5%
Hourly Rate Trajectory for School Counselors in Brea (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 2.05% projection.
| Year | Hourly Rate | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $38.34/hr | Actual |
| 2020 | $39.07/hr | Actual |
| 2021 | $40.67/hr | Actual |
| 2022 | $40.42/hr | Actual |
| 2023 | $41.48/hr | Actual |
| 2024 | $45.40/hr | Actual |
| 2025 | $43.24/hr | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $44.13/hr | Estimated |
| 2027 | $45.03/hr | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, the median hourly rate for school counselors in Brea grew 12.8% from $38.34/hr (2019) to $43.24/hr (2025). At a 2.05% projected growth rate, hourly pay is expected to reach $45.03/hr by 2027. Part-time and per-diem school counselors can use this multi-year trend to benchmark future contract negotiations.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Brea metropolitan area, sourced from annual Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics surveys. 2026–2026 figures are current estimates, and 2027 values are projections, calculated using a 2.05% CAGR derived from 7-year BLS historical data. Actual salaries may vary based on employer, experience, certifications, and local market conditions.
Working as an Hourly School Counselor in Brea
Examining part-time earnings reveals just how lucrative the school counselor hourly pay in Brea can be. For instance, a school counselor working 24 hours a week could earn over $54,000 annually, making it a viable option compared to full-time roles that can be constrained by administrative duties and high student-to-counselor ratios. Additionally, per diem school counselor pay in Brea for private settings can vary widely—ranging from $150 to $400 per hour—especially during high-demand periods like college admissions. The market's diversity includes public school districts, charter networks, and even Department of Defense Education Activity schools. With this variety, counselors might choose to accept positions with lower hourly rates but better benefits, such as health insurance, especially as the mental health funding landscape evolves post-COVID. Negotiating for competitive pay based on experience and specialization can significantly impact earnings, allowing school counselors in Brea to maximize their opportunities in a growing field.
More salary data for Brea, CA:
Frequently Asked Questions
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Written by Maria Gonzalez, M.Ed.
Content Lead
Maria has over 10 years of experience in school counseling. She specializes in academic and emotional support for high school students. She works at a public high school in California.
Methodology & Data Source
Hourly wage figures on this page are 2026 projections based on the Bureau of Labor Statistics Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS) survey, May 2026 release. A 2.05% compound annual growth rate (CAGR), derived from 6-year national BLS wage trends, was applied to estimate current 2026 hourly rates for school counselors in Brea. Part-time and full-time income estimates assume consistent weekly hours and do not account for overtime, benefits, or seasonal variation.
Data Sources & Methodology
Salary data for Brea is estimated from official BLS state-level occupational wage data (2025), adjusted for regional cost-of-living differences using BEA RPP (Regional Price Parities).
2026 figures are projected from 2025 BLS data using a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 2.05%, derived from historical BLS wage trends for school counselors (SOC 21-1012).
Compiled and verified by Maria Gonzalez, M.Ed., a licensed school counselor with 10+ years of clinical experience. · View source data at BLS.gov