EducationUpdated Q1 2026

Academic Advisor Salary
in Santa Ana, CA

Guide students in selecting courses, majors, and academic pathways to meet graduation requirements. Median salary in Santa Ana: $58K/year. Data from BLS, O*NET, and H-1B disclosures.

Median salary
$58K
per year
Take-home: $35K

Salary range in Santa Ana

Entry level (25th)$45,000
Median (50th)$58,000
Senior (75th)$76,000
Top earner (90th)$97,000
Data freshness

Figures represent annual base salary in Santa Ana, California. Reviewed by SalaryOptics Editorial Β· How we calculate this β†’

Help build this dataset. Add your own Academic Advisor salary so other workers in Santa Ana have better numbers to work with.
Submit yours β†’

What the numbers say for Santa Ana

Analysis derived from the salary, COL, tax, and labor-market figures above β€” specific to this role and city.

12% premium vs national median

Academic Advisors in Santa Ana earn approximately 12% higher than the US national median for this role β€” a $6,000 premium on annual base salary. This reflects Santa Ana's position as a higher-cost labor market where employers must match local wage norms.

Cost-of-living adjusted picture

Adjusted for Santa Ana's cost-of-living index (150), the median Academic Advisor salary buys the equivalent of $38,667 in a US-average-cost city. That's $13,333 less purchasing power than the national median β€” the higher nominal salary doesn't fully offset local costs.

9.3% state tax = $5,394/yr

California's 9.3% state income tax reduces take-home by roughly $5,394 per year at the median salary. A Academic Advisor relocating to a no-tax state like Texas, Florida, or Tennessee would retain that amount without changing gross pay.

Key facts for Santa Ana

Median salary
$58K
annual
Take-home pay
$35K
after fed/state tax
COL index
150
100 = US avg
State income tax
9.3%
effective rate
Avg 1BR rent
$2,100
per month
YoY growth
+3%
salary trend

Salary forecast: Santa Ana Academic Advisor to 2030

Based on BLS 2022–2032 Employment Projections and WEF Future of Jobs Report 2026. At current growth rates, median salary reaches $58K by 2030.

Salary trend & forecast β€” Santa Ana

Historical (2019–2025) + projected to 2030 based on BLS growth rates

HistoricalProjected
Academic Advisor salary trend 2019–2030PROJECTED β†’$49K$53K$58K$62K$66K201920212023202520272029
2026
$59K
projected
2027
$61K
projected
2028
$62K
projected
2029
$64K
projected
2030
$66K
projected

Projections based on BLS Employment Projections 2022–2032 CAGR and WEF Jobs Report 2025. Not financial advice.

YearProjected median salaryvs today
2027 projected$58,000+$0
2028 projected$58,000+$0
2029 projected$58,000+$0
2030 projected$58,000+$0

Projections use compound annual growth rate (CAGR) from BLS occupational outlook data. Actual salaries may vary.

Full salary breakdown & negotiation guide

Unlock the full salary report + negotiation email template

Enter your email for free access. We'll send salary market updates β€” unsubscribe anytime.

No spam. Unsubscribe anytime.

Academic Advisor Salary in Santa Ana, California: Complete Guide (2026)

The median Academic Advisor salary in Santa Ana, CA is $58,000 per year as of Q1 2026. This figure represents the midpoint of all reported compensation for this role in the Santa Ana–CA metropolitan area, based on data from the Bureau of Labor Statistics Occupational Employment Statistics, H-1B visa disclosures from the Department of Labor, and O*NET occupational data.

Salary range for Academic Advisor in Santa Ana

Entry-level Academic Advisors in Santa Ana with 0–2 years of experience typically earn between $45,000 and $58,000 annually. Mid-career professionals with 3–7 years command $58,000 to $76,000, while senior-level practitioners with 8+ years of experience regularly earn $76,000 to $97,000 or more.

Cost of living in Santa Ana for Academic Advisors

Santa Ana has a cost of living index of 150 compared to the US national average of 100. Santa Ana's cost of living is above the US average, so the salary figures above reflect local market rates. California has a 9.3% state income tax rate.

Education requirements for Academic Advisor

Bachelor's or Master's in Education or Counseling. 35% of these roles offer some remote flexibility.

Academic Advisor salary in nearby cities

CityMedian salaryCOL index
Santa Ana (current)$58K150
Los Angeles$60K163
San Diego$58K148
San Jose$67K210
San Francisco$68K224
Fresno$48K102