Credit Counselor salary in Santa Maria-Santa Barbara, CA
Credit Counselors in the Santa Maria-Santa Barbara, CA metro area earn a median of $62,500 a year ($30.05 an hour), based on BLS data for 40 workers.
Pay ranges from $45,810 for the lowest-paid 10% to $79,550 for the top 10%. That is 20% higher than the national median of $52,230. Pay here is 7% lower than the California statewide median of $67,120. There are 0.19 credit counselors per 1,000 jobs here — close to the national average. The average (mean) salary is $62,640, above the median because a few high earners pull it up.
Pay range for credit counselors in Santa Maria-Santa Barbara, CA
| Pay level | Yearly | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $45,810 | $22.02 |
| 25th percentile | $51,090 | $24.56 |
| Median | $62,500 | $30.05 |
| 75th percentile | $72,150 | $34.69 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $79,550 | $38.24 |
| Average (mean) | $62,640 | $30.12 |
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 | $5,208.33 |
| Semi-monthly (24 a year) | $2,604.17 |
| Biweekly (26 a year) | $2,403.85 |
| Weekly | $1,201.92 |
| Hourly | $30.05 |
Based on a full-time year of 2,080 hours. Convert any amount with the hourly to salary converter.
Buying a home? On a $62,500 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 other metro areas nearby
| 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 |
| 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 |
See Credit Counselor pay in every state or the California statewide figures.
Related jobs in Santa Maria-Santa Barbara, CA
| Job | Median salary | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Accountants and Auditors | $91,610 | $44.04 |
| Financial and Investment Analysts | $97,720 | $46.98 |
| Personal Financial Advisor | $124,380 | $59.80 |
| Loan Officer | $86,200 | $41.44 |
| Financial Specialists, All Other | $78,590 | $37.78 |
| Budget Analyst | $110,470 | $53.11 |
| Property Appraisers and Assessors | $95,730 | $46.02 |
| Business Operations Specialists, All Other | $89,340 | $42.95 |
| Project Management Specialist | $106,250 | $51.08 |
| Market Research Analysts and Marketing Specialists | $79,710 | $38.32 |
| Human Resources Specialist | $80,340 | $38.63 |
| Management Analyst | $99,990 | $48.07 |
| Buyers and Purchasing Agents | $82,040 | $39.44 |
| Training and Development Specialists | $75,890 | $36.48 |
More: Business and Financial Operations Occupations · all salaries in Santa Maria-Santa Barbara, CA
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 Santa Maria-Santa Barbara, CA?
The median salary for credit counselors in the Santa Maria-Santa Barbara, CA metro area is $62,500 a year, or $30.05 an hour. Pay ranges from $45,810 for the lowest-paid 10% to $79,550 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid credit counselors make in Santa Maria-Santa Barbara, CA?
The top 10% of credit counselors in the Santa Maria-Santa Barbara, CA metro area earn at least $79,550 a year. The top 25% earn $72,150 or more.
What is the starting pay for credit counselors in Santa Maria-Santa Barbara, CA?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $45,810 a year, and a quarter of credit counselors earn $51,090 or less.
How many credit counselors work in Santa Maria-Santa Barbara, CA?
About 40 credit counselors are employed in the Santa Maria-Santa Barbara, CA metro area, not counting the self-employed.