SOC 21-1012 · May 2025 · BLS OEWS
Educational, Guidance, and Career Counselors and Advisors — Modesto
Modesto, CA · 10 metro areas compared
The median wage for Educational, Guidance, and Career Counselors and Advisors in Modesto, CA is $94,370 per year, well above the national median of $64,330.
Wage distribution · annual
Shaded band holds the middle 50% of earners
Salary overview
The median wage for Educational, Guidance, and Career Counselors and Advisors in Modesto, CA is $94,370 per year, well above the national median of $64,330. The gap of 46.7% is among the widest recorded for this occupation. Half of workers earn between $65,460 and $122,220. Beyond that band, the tenth percentile sits at $51,810 and the ninetieth at $129,880.
Employment stands at 430, or 2.2 jobs per thousand held locally. Within the state, El Centro records the highest median at $141,760. Of the 398 occupations with published wages in this area, it sits 95th.
Percentile breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | vs US median |
|---|---|---|
| 10th | $51,810 | −19.5% |
| 25th | $65,460 | +1.8% |
| Median (50th) | $94,370 | +46.7% |
| 75th | $122,220 | +90.0% |
| 90th | $129,880 | +101.9% |
| Mean | $93,680 | +45.6% |
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 Modesto run 10.7% above the national average, so the median of $94,370 buys what $85,248 would elsewhere in the country. Measured that way the gap against the national median narrows to 32.5% above the national median in real terms.
Published median
$94,370as reported by BLSLocal price level
110.7US average = 100 · BEA 2024Adjusted for local prices
$85,248US average = 100 · BEA 2024Key takeaways
- Median pay is $94,370 a year, 46.7% above the national median.
- Published pay spans $51,810 to $129,880 between the tenth and ninetieth percentiles.
- The area has 430 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 Modesto, CA?
The median annual wage is $94,370, or $45.37 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 Modesto, CA is 46.7% 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 Modesto, CA earns more than $129,880 per year. The ninetieth percentile is the highest figure the survey publishes.
What is the starting range?
The tenth percentile wage is $51,810 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 430 jobs in this occupation in Modesto, 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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