As of May 01, 2026, the average annual salary for Entry Level Counselor in San Diego, CA is $54,630, equivalent to $26 per hour, $1,051 weekly, or $4,553 monthly. These figures, sourced from Salary.com’s real-time job posting scans, highlight competitive earning potential for Entry Level Counselor in cities like San Jose, Santa Clara, and San Francisco.
Annually Salaries for Entry Level Counselor in San Diego, CA vary widely, spanning from $45,366 to $65,951. Most professionals fall between the 25th percentile ($49,781) and 75th percentile ($60,556), while top earners (90th percentile) make $65,951 per year. This $10,775 pay gap underscores opportunities for salary growth through certifications, specialized skills like Planning or Child Development, or targeting high-paying regions like District of Columbia or California.
Location and experience significantly influence earnings. For example, San Diego Entry Level Counselor often earn 2.2% higher than national averages. However, San Diego currently ranks 128 statewide for Entry Level Counselor job salary. Professionals are advised to focus on high-growth sectors like Edu., Gov't. & Nonprofit to offset market challenges.
