School Counselor · Salary Comparison · 2026
School Counselor Salary: Los Angeles, CA vs San Francisco, CA
Side-by-side comparison of salary, taxes, cost of living, and take-home pay for School Counselors in Los Angeles, CA and San Francisco, CA, based on BLS OEWS 2026 data.
1Which City Pays More After Tax?
Higher Gross Salary
✓ San Francisco, CA
$60,000 vs $70,000
Better Purchasing Power
✓ San Francisco, CA
$34,682 vs $37,634
Best Take-Home (COL-Adj)
✓ San Francisco, CA
$29,066 vs $31,540
2
Detailed Comparison
| Metric | Los Angeles, CA | San Francisco, CA | Diff |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Annual Salary | $60,000 | $70,000▲ | -$10,000 |
| 25th Percentile | $46,200 | $53,900▲ | -$7,700 |
| 75th Percentile | $76,800 | $89,600▲ | -$12,800 |
| 90th Percentile | $96,000 | $112,000▲ | -$16,000 |
| Cost of Living Index | 173 | 186 | -13 |
| State Income Tax | 9.3%▲ | 9.3% | — |
| COL-Adjusted Median | $34,682 | $37,634▲ | -$2,952 |
| Est. Annual Take-Home | $50,284 | $58,665▲ | -$8,381 |
| COL-Adj. Take-Home | $29,066 | $31,540▲ | -$2,474 |
| Total Employment | 120,000 | 130,000 | -10,000 |
▲ = Higher value wins for this metric. Diff = Los Angeles, CA minus San Francisco, CA.
3Summary Analysis
On paper, San Francisco, CA pays $10,000 more (median: $60,000 vs $70,000). However, after adjusting for cost of living (index 173 vs 186), San Francisco, CA provides better purchasing power ($34,682 vs $37,634 equivalent). San Francisco, CA has the lower state tax rate (9.3% vs 9.3%).
Data: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics OEWS · 2026 · Cost-of-living indices from composite metro area data. Take-home estimates approximate only — consult a tax professional for accurate figures.