School Counselor Salary in Los Angeles, CA
School Counselors in Los Angeles, CA earn a median of $60,000/year, ranging from $46,200 (25th percentile) to $96,000 (90th percentile). After California state taxes (9.3%) and cost-of-living adjustments (COL index 173), this is equivalent to $34,682 in purchasing power vs the US average.
1Salary Distribution in Los Angeles, CA
2Estimated Take-Home & Purchasing Power
* Estimates only. Does not include federal income tax, 401k, health insurance, or local taxes. Use the Salary Calculator for a detailed breakdown.
How Does Los Angeles, CA Compare?
| City | Median | COL Index | COL-Adjusted |
|---|---|---|---|
| Los Angeles, CA (current) | $60,000 | 173 | $34,682 |
| San Francisco, CA | $70,000 | 186 | $37,634 |
| San Diego, CA | $58,000 | 152 | $38,158 |
| New York, NY | $67,000 | 187 | $35,829 |
| Seattle, WA | $68,000 | 162 | $41,975 |
| Boston, MA | $62,000 | 162 | $38,272 |
4Frequently Asked Questions
What is the average School Counselor salary in Los Angeles, CA?
The median School Counselor salary in Los Angeles, CA is $60,000 per year as of 2026 BLS OEWS data. The 25th percentile is $46,200 and the 90th percentile is $96,000.
Is Los Angeles, CA a good place to work as a School Counselor?
Los Angeles, CA has a cost of living index of 173 (US average = 100). After adjusting for cost of living, a $60,000 School Counselor salary in Los Angeles, CA is equivalent to $34,682 in purchasing power compared to the US average.
What is the cost of living adjustment for Los Angeles, CA?
Los Angeles, CA has a cost of living index of 173, meaning it is 73% more expensive than the US average. The state income tax rate in California is approximately 9.3%.
What is the School Counselor salary range in Los Angeles, CA?
In Los Angeles, CA, School Counselors earn between $46,200 (25th percentile) and $96,000 (90th percentile), with a median of $60,000 per year.
How many School Counselor jobs are there in Los Angeles, CA?
According to BLS OEWS data, there are approximately 120,000 School Counselor positions in the Los Angeles, CA metropolitan area.
What do School Counselors earn in Los Angeles, CA?
Based on BLS OEWS 2026 data, School Counselors in Los Angeles, CA earn a median annual wage of $60,000. The middle 50% earn between $46,200 and $76,800. The top 10% earn more than $96,000. There are approximately 120,000 School Counselors employed in the Los Angeles, CA metro area, with annual job growth estimated at 3.6%.
Is Los Angeles, CA a good place for a School Counselor?
Los Angeles, CA has a cost of living index of 173 (US average = 100), making it 73% more expensive than the national average. After adjusting for cost of living, a School Counselor in Los Angeles, CA earning $60,000has the equivalent purchasing power of $34,682 relative to the US median. California has a state income tax rate of approximately 9.3%.
What is the cost of living adjustment for Los Angeles, CA?
Los Angeles, CA's cost of living index is 173, based on composite data including housing, food, transportation, healthcare, and utilities. This means that $60,000 in Los Angeles, CAhas the same purchasing power as $34,682 in a city at exactly the US average cost of living. Housing is typically the largest driver of cost of living differences between metros.
Compare Los Angeles, CA with Another City
See a detailed side-by-side comparison of salary, taxes, and purchasing power.
Data source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS) Program. All figures are approximate annual estimates based on the most recent available BLS data. Actual salaries may vary based on experience, education, employer size, and specific role. Cost-of-living data represents composite indices from publicly available metropolitan area data.