SOC 21-1012 · May 2025 · BLS OEWS
Educational, Guidance, and Career Counselors and Advisors — Los Angeles
Los Angeles-Long Beach-Anaheim, CA · 10 metro areas compared
In Los Angeles, CA the median wage for Educational, Guidance, and Career Counselors and Advisors is $79,000 a year, which is 22.8% higher than the national figure of $64,330.
Wage distribution · annual
Shaded band holds the middle 50% of earners
Salary overview
In Los Angeles, CA the median wage for Educational, Guidance, and Career Counselors and Advisors is $79,000 a year, which is 22.8% higher than the national figure of $64,330. Half of workers earn between $60,540 and $109,100. Beyond that band, the tenth percentile sits at $49,690 and the ninetieth at $135,030.
The area has 17,110 jobs in this occupation, which works out to 2.7 of every thousand jobs. El Centro leads the state's metro areas for this occupation, at $141,760. Set against every other occupation measured in the same area, it ranks 306th of 740 by median pay.
Percentile breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | vs US median |
|---|---|---|
| 10th | $49,690 | −22.8% |
| 25th | $60,540 | −5.9% |
| Median (50th) | $79,000 | +22.8% |
| 75th | $109,100 | +69.6% |
| 90th | $135,030 | +109.9% |
| Mean | $89,980 | +39.9% |
Other metro areas in California
| # | Metro area | Median | Jobs | Relative |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | El Centro | $141,760 | 200 | |
| 2 | Yuba City | $101,350 | 140 | |
| 3 | Fresno | $101,280 | 1,210 | |
| 4 | Sacramento | $100,930 | 2,730 | |
| 5 | Oxnard | $100,790 | 690 | |
| 6 | Hanford | $100,390 | 110 | |
| 7 | Salinas | $100,360 | 400 | |
| 8 | Napa | $99,900 | 120 | |
| 9 | San Luis Obispo | $99,330 | 390 | |
| 10 | Santa Rosa | $98,480 | 500 |
What the pay is worth locally
Prices in Los Angeles run 10.7% above the national average, so the median of $79,000 buys what $71,364 would elsewhere in the country. Measured that way the gap against the national median narrows to 10.9% above the national median in real terms.
Published median
$79,000as reported by BLSLocal price level
110.7US average = 100 · BEA 2024Adjusted for local prices
$71,364US average = 100 · BEA 2024Key takeaways
- Median pay is $79,000 a year, 22.8% above the national median.
- Published pay spans $49,690 to $135,030 between the tenth and ninetieth percentiles.
- The area has 17,110 jobs in this occupation.
- The highest-paying metro area covered is El Centro, at $141,760.
Frequently asked questions
What is the median wage for Educational, Guidance, and Career Counselors and Advisors in Los Angeles, CA?
The median annual wage is $79,000, or $37.98 per hour, as of May 2025. Half of the workers in this occupation earn more than that and half earn less.
Is that higher than the national average?
The national median for this occupation is $64,330, so pay in Los Angeles, CA is 22.8% higher. These figures are medians, not averages: half of workers fall on each side.
What do the top earners make?
The top tenth of this occupation in Los Angeles, CA earns more than $135,030 per year. The ninetieth percentile is the highest figure the survey publishes.
What is the starting range?
The tenth percentile wage is $49,690 per year. The survey measures wages actually paid rather than experience level, so this reflects the lowest-paid tenth rather than entry-level pay specifically.
Which area nearby pays the most?
The highest median for this occupation among the metro areas covered is in El Centro, at $141,760 per year.
How many jobs are there in this occupation here?
The survey estimates 17,110 jobs in this occupation in Los Angeles, CA. Self-employed workers are not included.
Source and methodology
U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, May 2025 Wages are for wage-and-salary workers; self-employed workers are not included. 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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