Mental Health Counselor Salary in San Diego, CA
Updated
The median mental health counselor in the San Diego area earns $57,660 a year ($27.72 an hour), 3% below the U.S. median ($59,350) and 3% below the California median ($59,250). Half of the 6,500 mental health counselors there earn between $48,530 and $77,960.
| Annual pay | San Diego area | California | U.S. |
|---|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile | $45,910 | $44,640 | $38,940 |
| 25th percentile | $48,530 | $47,640 | $47,100 |
| Median | $57,660 | $59,250 | $59,350 |
| 75th percentile | $77,960 | $80,570 | $76,530 |
| 90th percentile | $103,560 | $111,080 | $97,590 |
| Average | $67,230 | $69,080 | $64,440 |
| Jobs | 6,500 | 75,610 | 491,930 |
San Diego, CA ranks 37th of the 50 largest U.S. metro areas for mental health counselor pay. Highest: Portland, OR ($75,420).
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Check my payMental health counselor pay in other cities
- San Jose, CA: $72,550
- San Francisco, CA: $68,400
- Sacramento, CA: $61,050
- Portland, OR: $75,420
- Seattle, WA: $73,580
- Houston, TX: $67,370
- Austin, TX: $66,780
- Phoenix, AZ: $66,020
- All cities
Similar jobs in San Diego, CA
Sources
- U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, May 2025, published May 15, 2026
U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, May 2025, www.bls.gov/oes. BLS.gov cannot vouch for the data or analyses derived from these data after the data have been retrieved from BLS.gov.