SOC 21-1012 · May 2025 · United States
Educational, Guidance, and Career Counselors and Advisors
National figures, with pay broken out by state and metro area
The median wage for Educational, Guidance, and Career Counselors and Advisors across the United States is $64,330 per year, measured over 353,310 jobs. The highest state median is in California, at $86,500.
National wage distribution · annual
Shaded band holds the middle 50% of earners
Where the pay is highest for Educational, Guidance, and Career Counselors and Advisors
Pay for this occupation varies by 66.9% between the highest and lowest paying states with published data. California pays $86,500 and South Dakota pays $51,830.
| # | State | Median | Jobs | Relative |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | California | $86,500 | 45,140 | |
| 2 | Alaska | $82,900 | 540 | |
| 3 | Washington | $82,670 | 6,610 | |
| 4 | District of Columbia | $80,470 | 1,690 | |
| 5 | Massachusetts | $79,930 | 11,460 | |
| 6 | New Jersey | $77,910 | 8,190 | |
| 7 | New Mexico | $77,880 | 1,780 | |
| 8 | Maryland | $75,820 | 6,600 | |
| 9 | Rhode Island | $75,000 | 1,340 | |
| 10 | Delaware | $74,070 | 1,700 |
States with the most Educational, Guidance, and Career Counselors and Advisors jobs
| # | State | Jobs | Median | Relative |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | California | 45,140 | $86,500 | |
| 2 | Texas | 31,730 | $67,900 | |
| 3 | New York | 23,380 | $71,610 | |
| 4 | Florida | 22,800 | $53,140 | |
| 5 | Illinois | 13,580 | $62,420 | |
| 6 | Pennsylvania | 13,570 | $60,880 | |
| 7 | Ohio | 13,250 | $61,760 | |
| 8 | Georgia | 11,460 | $63,720 | |
| 9 | Massachusetts | 11,460 | $79,930 | |
| 10 | Virginia | 9,450 | $67,660 |
Top-paying metro areas
| # | Metro area | Median | Jobs |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | El Centro | $141,760 | 200 |
| 2 | Grand Island | $109,480 | 90 |
| 3 | Bremerton | $102,650 | 150 |
| 4 | Odessa | $101,810 | 120 |
| 5 | Yuba City | $101,350 | 140 |
| 6 | Fresno | $101,280 | 1,210 |
| 7 | Sacramento | $100,930 | 2,730 |
| 8 | Oxnard | $100,790 | 690 |
| 9 | Hanford | $100,390 | 110 |
| 10 | Salinas | $100,360 | 400 |
Source and methodology
U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, May 2025 Salary Explorer is an independent project. It is not affiliated with, or endorsed by, the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics or any government agency. Full methodology.
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