Salary AI Book a Demo

Activity Counselor Salary in California

How much does an Activity Counselor make in California? As of September 01, 2026, the average salary for an Activity Counselor in California is $69,800 per year, which breaks down to an hourly rate of $34.

However, an Activity Counselor's salary can vary significantly. Here's a look at the typical salary range:

  • Top Earners (90th percentile): $89,732
  • Majority Range (25th-75th percentile): $61,737 to $80,233
  • Entry-Level (10th percentile): $54,397
Salary Factors Salary by Experience Related Job Salaries Top Paying Cities Explore Related Jobs

Check out Activity Counselor Job Openings in California

Key Factors That Influence Activity Counselor Salaries

An Activity Counselor's salary isn't a fixed number. It's shaped by several important factors. Below, we'll explore how your years of experience, geographic location and company size can directly affect your earning potential.

How Experience Level Affects Activity Counselor Salaries?

Experience is a primary driver of an Activity Counselor's salary. As you build your skills and take on more complex tasks, your compensation generally increases. Here's how the average salary grows at different career stages:

  • Entry-Level (less than 1 year): $64,982
  • Early Career (1-2 years): $65,222
  • Mid-Level (2-4 years): $66,184
  • Senior-Level (5-8 years): $70,524
  • Expert (over 8 years): $72,698
Job RoleYears of ExperienceAverage Salary
Entry Level Activity Counselor less than 1 year $64,982
Early Career Level Activity Counselor 1-2 years $65,222
Mid-Level Level Activity Counselor 2-4 years $66,184
Senior-Level Level Activity Counselor 5-8 years $70,524
Expert Level Activity Counselor over 8 years $72,698

How Do Activity Counselor Salaries Vary from State to State?

Your salary can change significantly depending on where you work. States with a higher cost of living and strong industrial sectors often pay more to attract Activity Counselors. For example, consider the average annual salaries in these key locations:

  • District of Columbia: $70,065.
  • California: $69,800.
  • Massachusetts: $68,869.

Top Paying Cities for Activity Counselor

Salaries can also vary between different cities. Major metropolitan areas or cities with a high demand for technicians often offer more competitive pay. Here are a few examples of average annual salaries in different U.S. cities:

  • Los Angeles: $69,920
  • West Hollywood: $69,869
  • Dodgertown: $69,919

Activity Counselor Salary by Industry: Top Paying Sectors

For Activity Counselor roles, the industry you choose can impact your earning potential by as much as 30% (the gap between the highest and lowest paying industries). Data shows that the highest-paying industry, Government, offers compensation 12% above the average. Conversely, Activity Counselor positions in Nonprofit typically offer lower base pay, as this sector often view Activity Counselor as a support function rather than a direct revenue driver.

The top paying industries for an Activity Counselor

Industry Sector Average Annual Salary Average Hourly Rate Pay vs.Avg
Government $78,525 $38.0 12%
Education $73,290 $35.0 5%

Activity Counselor Salary: Hourly Rate, Weekly Pay, and Monthly Pay

Understanding how an Activity Counselor's annual salary breaks down can help with budgeting. Below, you can see the average hourly rate, weekly pay, and monthly pay for this role. Use the buttons to switch between different pay periods.

  • Yearly
  • Monthly
  • Weekly
  • Hourly
  • Table View
Last Updated on September 01, 2026
$61,737
Average $69,800/year
$80,233
$5,145
Average $5,817/month
$6,686
$1,187
Average $1,342/week
$1,543
$30
Average $34/hour
$39
Annual Salary Monthly Pay Weekly Pay Hourly Wage
75th Percentile $80,233 $6,686 $1,543 $39
Average $69,800 $5,817 $1,342 $34
25th Percentile $61,737 $5,145 $1,187 $30

Find Your Next Activity Counselor Job

Ready to take the next step in your career? Browse thousands of current Activity Counselor job openings on our job board. Use the search bar below to find your perfect match.

  • Centers Health Care | COOPERSTOWN, NY

    Activity Aide

    Centers Health Care | COOPERSTOWN, NY

    Centers Health Care is seeking a compassionate Activity Aide to support engaging, person-centered programs for residents in our Healthcare & Medical Servic... more

    9 Days Ago

  • Brightview Senior Living | COCKEYSVILLE, MD

    Recreation Activity Assistant

    Brightview Senior Living | COCKEYSVILLE, MD

    Brightview Senior Living is seeking a Part-Time Recreation/Activity Assistant to help create meaningful, engaging experiences for our residents. In this ro... more

    8 Days Ago

  • BAART Programs | BENSON, NE

    COUNSELOR

    BAART Programs | BENSON, NE

    BAART Programs is seeking a Counselor Supervisor to join our compassionate and dedicated team in the Community & Social Services department. This position ... more

    8 Days Ago

  • Medmark Treatment Centers | WASHINGTON, PA

    COUNSELOR

    Medmark Treatment Centers | WASHINGTON, PA

    MedMark Treatment Centers seeks a Counselor Supervisor to lead a team of counselors within our outpatient opioid treatment program. In this role, you will ... more

    8 Days Ago

  • HCA Healthcare | AURORA, CO

    COUNSELOR

    HCA Healthcare | AURORA, CO

    HCA Healthcare, a leader in medical services, is seeking a dedicated Adolescent Mental Health Nurse to join our caring professionals at our specialized ado... more

    9 Days Ago

  • Middlesex Recovery, P.C. | SALEM, NH

    Counselor Supervisor

    Middlesex Recovery, P.C. | SALEM, NH

    Middlesex Recovery, P.C. seeks a Counselor Supervisor for its Salem, NH outpatient clinic treating opioid use disorder. The role oversees a team of counsel... more

    8 Days Ago

For Employees

Analyze the market and your qualifications to negotiate your salary with confidence.

Get a Salary Increase

Search thousands of open positions to find your next opportunity.

Search Job Openings

For Employers

Individualize employee pay based on unique job requirements and personal qualifications.

Adjust Employee Salary

Get the latest market price for benchmark jobs and jobs in your industry.

Price My Industry Jobs

Where Does Our Salary Data Come From?

Salary.com salary estimates, histograms, trends, and comparisons are derived from both employer job postings and third-party data sources. We also provide multiple percentiles of salary information for your reference, click here to know Why the Salary Midpoint Formula Is Crucial to Getting Pay Equity Right. With more online, real-time compensation data than any other website, Salary.com helps you determine your exact pay target.

Are you an HR manager or compensation specialist?

Salary.com's CompAnalyst platform offers:

  • Detailed skills and competency reports for specific positions
  • Job and employee pricing reports
  • Compensation data tools, salary structures, surveys and benchmarks.
Learn about CompAnalyst