Credit Counselor salary in California
Credit Counselors in California earn a median of $67,120 a year ($32.27 an hour), based on BLS data for 2,160 workers.
Pay ranges from $47,260 for the lowest-paid 10% to $98,520 for the top 10%. That is 29% higher than the national median of $52,230. California ranks 1st of 46 states for credit counselors pay, one of the best-paying states for this job. There are 0.12 credit counselors per 1,000 jobs here — the job is less common than nationally (location quotient 0.66). The average (mean) salary is $71,180, above the median because a few high earners pull it up.
Pay range for credit counselors in California
| Pay level | Yearly | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $47,260 | $22.72 |
| 25th percentile | $56,040 | $26.94 |
| Median | $67,120 | $32.27 |
| 75th percentile | $81,860 | $39.36 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $98,520 | $47.37 |
| Average (mean) | $71,180 | $34.22 |
Half of credit counselors earn more than the median and half earn less. Percentiles show the spread: 10% earn less than the 10th percentile, and 10% earn more than the 90th.
Median paycheck, before taxes
| Pay period | Amount |
|---|---|
| Monthly | $5,593.33 |
| Semi-monthly (24 a year) | $2,796.67 |
| Biweekly (26 a year) | $2,581.54 |
| Weekly | $1,290.77 |
| Hourly | $32.27 |
Based on a full-time year of 2,080 hours. Convert any amount with the hourly to salary converter.
Buying a home? On a $67,120 salary, see how much house you can afford in California at today's mortgage rates, or work out a payment with the mortgage calculator.
Credit Counselor salary in cities in California
| Metro area | Median salary | Workers |
|---|---|---|
| San Francisco-Oakland-Fremont, CA | $82,570 | 210 |
| San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara, CA | $80,680 | 120 |
| Sacramento-Roseville-Folsom, CA | $76,930 | 110 |
| San Diego-Chula Vista-Carlsbad, CA | $67,120 | 200 |
| Fresno, CA | $66,660 | 60 |
| Los Angeles-Long Beach-Anaheim, CA | $65,210 | 830 |
| Riverside-San Bernardino-Ontario, CA | $64,750 | 190 |
| Santa Maria-Santa Barbara, CA | $62,500 | 40 |
| Oxnard-Thousand Oaks-Ventura, CA | $60,110 | 50 |
Highest-paying states for credit counselors
| State | Median salary |
|---|---|
| California | $67,120 |
| Georgia | $64,080 |
| District of Columbia | $63,580 |
| Massachusetts | $63,240 |
| New York | $63,030 |
| Nebraska | $62,510 |
| Washington | $62,360 |
| Minnesota | $62,160 |
| Maryland | $60,450 |
| Oregon | $59,150 |
Related jobs in California
| Job | Median salary | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Accountants and Auditors | $97,050 | $46.66 |
| Financial and Investment Analysts | $109,110 | $52.46 |
| Personal Financial Advisor | $130,330 | $62.66 |
| Loan Officer | $81,770 | $39.31 |
| Financial Specialists, All Other | $80,810 | $38.85 |
| Tax Preparer | $70,030 | $33.67 |
| Tax Examiners and Collectors, and Revenue Agents | $74,110 | $35.63 |
| Insurance Underwriter | $95,320 | $45.83 |
| Property Appraisers and Assessors | $88,900 | $42.74 |
| Financial Risk Specialist | $129,110 | $62.07 |
| Credit Analyst | $97,860 | $47.05 |
| Financial Examiner | $106,000 | $50.96 |
| Budget Analyst | $99,520 | $47.84 |
| Business Operations Specialists, All Other | $87,570 | $42.10 |
More: Business and Financial Operations Occupations · all salaries in California
Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, May 2025 estimates, occupation code 13-2071. Wages include base pay, tips, commissions and shift pay, but not overtime, bonuses or benefits, and exclude the self-employed.
Frequently asked questions
How much does a credit counselor make in California?
The median salary for credit counselors in California is $67,120 a year, or $32.27 an hour. Pay ranges from $47,260 for the lowest-paid 10% to $98,520 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid credit counselors make in California?
The top 10% of credit counselors in California earn at least $98,520 a year. The top 25% earn $81,860 or more.
What is the starting pay for credit counselors in California?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $47,260 a year, and a quarter of credit counselors earn $56,040 or less.
How many credit counselors work in California?
About 2,160 credit counselors are employed in California, not counting the self-employed.