School Counselor Salary in Thousand Oaks, CA: $100,392 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time school counselor in Thousand Oaks, CA earns a median $100,392/year (≈ $48.27/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 21-1012). Once you factor in Thousand Oaks's price level (13% above national, BEA RPP 113.1), that paycheck buys what $88,764 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 3.8% above the California state average.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
In Thousand Oaks, California, school counselors can anticipate a median annual salary of $100,392 in 2026, significantly higher than the national median of $64,335. The salary range for these professionals is projected to fall between $72,540 at the 10th percentile to $155,607 at the 90th percentile. These figures are based on estimates derived from 2025 BLS data, adjusted for local cost of living conditions. The local market reflects a strong compensation structure driven by school district step-and-lane career paths. As a high-cost area with services tied to education and mental health support, Thousand Oaks has positioned itself as a competitive job market for school counselors.
About the Thousand Oaks Market
Salary estimated from California average ($88,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $72,540 | $34.87 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $81,251 | $39.06 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $100,392 | $48.27 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $128,501 | $61.78 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $155,607 | $74.81 |
Median Salary Position
56.05% above the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Thousand Oaks
In Thousand Oaks, CA, the school counselor salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $83,067 (2026 est.). At $100,392, the local median is 56.05% above the national median of $64,335.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in Thousand Oaks: You'd be in the lower-middle range
How Thousand Oaks School Counselor Pay Compares
Thousand Oaks median: $100,392/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Thousand Oaks Pays |
|---|---|---|
| California Average | $96,716 | +3.80% more |
| National Average | $64,335 | +56.05% more |
School Counselors in Thousand Oaks, CA earn a median of $100,392 per year (2026 est.), which is 56.05% higher than the national median of $64,335 and 3.80% above the California state average of $96,716.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Thousand Oaks has a cost of living 13.10% above the national average.
Adjusted salary = nominal × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average.
Thousand Oaks, CA has a cost-of-living index of 113.1 (above the national average of 100). While the nominal salary of $100,392 is competitive, the higher cost of living reduces purchasing power to an effective $88,764 — a 11.58% reduction.
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2019 BLS Actual
$87,227
2025 BLS Actual
$98,375
2026 Current Est.
$100,392
2019–2027 Growth
+17.5%
Salary Trajectory for School Counselors in Thousand Oaks (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 2.05% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $87,227 | Actual |
| 2020 | $88,879 | Actual |
| 2021 | $92,533 | Actual |
| 2022 | $91,968 | Actual |
| 2023 | $94,368 | Actual |
| 2024 | $100,117 | Actual |
| 2025 | $98,375 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $100,392 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $102,450 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Thousand Oaks metropolitan area, the median school counselor salary grew 12.8% from $87,227 (2019) to $98,375 (2025). At a 2.05% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $102,450 by 2027 — a total increase of $15,223 (17.45%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Thousand Oaks 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.
Salary by Experience Level
| Experience | Estimated Salary Range |
|---|---|
| 0-2 years (New Graduate) | $72,540 – $81,251 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $81,251 – $100,392 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $100,392 – $128,501 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $128,501 – $155,607 |
SC, LSC salary ranges estimated from BLS percentile data. Individual school counselor compensation varies by employer, certifications, and specialization.
School Counselor Job Market in Thousand Oaks
With a current employment count of 32 school counselors, the job market in Thousand Oaks remains robust, supported by a cost of living index that registers at 113.1, indicating higher living expenses relative to national averages. This impact on take-home pay is particularly noticeable, as prospective counselors must account for housing and everyday costs in their budgeting. Among local employers, K-12 public school districts typically offer more financially sustainable positions compared to private or charter institutions. Factors such as the step-and-lane pay scale based on experience and education level, as well as pay differentials for additional roles like department heads or year-round programs, considerably influence salary variability. To enhance earning potential, counselors in Thousand Oaks might consider pursuing further education, seeking roles with longer contracts, or applying for stipends that correlate with added responsibilities.
More salary data for Thousand Oaks, 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
Salary figures on this page are 2026 projections based on the Bureau of Labor Statistics Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS) survey, May 2026 release. The BLS reported a median annual salary of $98,375 for school counselorsin the Thousand Oaks metropolitan area. A 2.05% compound annual growth rate (CAGR), calculated from 6-year national BLS wage trends, was applied to project current 2026 compensation. Percentile ranges (P10–P90) represent the full salary distribution across experience levels and practice settings in this market.
Data Sources & Methodology
Salary data for Thousand Oaks 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