School Counselor · Salary Comparison · 2026
School Counselor Salary: San Diego, CA vs San Francisco, CA
Side-by-side comparison of salary, taxes, cost of living, and take-home pay for School Counselors in San Diego, CA and San Francisco, CA, based on BLS OEWS 2026 data.
1Which City Pays More After Tax?
Higher Gross Salary
✓ San Francisco, CA
$58,000 vs $70,000
Better Purchasing Power
✓ San Diego, CA
$38,158 vs $37,634
Best Take-Home (COL-Adj)
✓ San Diego, CA
$31,979 vs $31,540
2
Detailed Comparison
| Metric | San Diego, CA | San Francisco, CA | Diff |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Annual Salary | $58,000 | $70,000▲ | -$12,000 |
| 25th Percentile | $44,660 | $53,900▲ | -$9,240 |
| 75th Percentile | $74,240 | $89,600▲ | -$15,360 |
| 90th Percentile | $92,800 | $112,000▲ | -$19,200 |
| Cost of Living Index | 152 | 186 | -34 |
| State Income Tax | 9.3%▲ | 9.3% | — |
| COL-Adjusted Median | $38,158▲ | $37,634 | +$524 |
| Est. Annual Take-Home | $48,608 | $58,665▲ | -$10,057 |
| COL-Adj. Take-Home | $31,979▲ | $31,540 | +$439 |
| Total Employment | 60,000 | 130,000 | -70,000 |
▲ = Higher value wins for this metric. Diff = San Diego, CA minus San Francisco, CA.
3Summary Analysis
On paper, San Francisco, CA pays $12,000 more (median: $58,000 vs $70,000). However, after adjusting for cost of living (index 152 vs 186), San Diego, CA provides better purchasing power ($38,158 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.