Counselor Salary in 2026
How Much Do Counselors Make?
Counselors earn a median annual salary of $49,830 as of 2026, based on BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS) data. Wages span from $36,160 at the 10th percentile to $91,420 at the 90th percentile — a range of $55,260. The highest-paying state is Virginia at $105,140.
| Percentile | Annual salary |
|---|---|
| 10th percentile | $36,160 |
| 25th percentile | $42,760 |
| Median (50th) | $49,830 |
| 75th percentile | $66,510 |
| 90th percentile | $91,420 |
Counselor Salary by State
Median annual salary across all 50 states. Click a column to sort.
| State | Median salary |
|---|---|
| Virginiatop | $105,140 |
| District of Columbia | $86,240 |
| North Dakota | $81,260 |
| Delaware | $80,760 |
| New Jersey | $76,240 |
| Oregon | $76,100 |
| Wisconsin | $70,500 |
| New York | $68,570 |
| Colorado | $68,310 |
| Hawaii | $68,250 |
| Maine | $63,920 |
| Georgia | $63,320 |
| South Carolina | $63,040 |
| Pennsylvania | $61,510 |
| Maryland | $61,140 |
| Washington | $58,170 |
| Massachusetts | $58,120 |
| Texas | $55,220 |
| Vermont | $52,590 |
| Minnesota | $52,070 |
| Connecticut | $51,920 |
| Tennessee | $51,900 |
| Indiana | $51,800 |
| Arizona | $51,780 |
| Alaska | $50,510 |
| Illinois | $49,650 |
| North Carolina | $47,150 |
| California | $47,010 |
| Michigan | $46,780 |
| Louisiana | $46,000 |
| Iowa | $45,440 |
| Florida | $45,270 |
| New Hampshire | $45,000 |
| Mississippi | $44,040 |
| West Virginia | $41,740 |
| Kentucky | $40,000 |
| Missouri | $39,340 |
| Nevada | $38,970 |
| Montana | $38,130 |
| Ohio | $36,980 |
| Utah | $36,590 |
| Arkansas | $31,990 |
| Alabama | $31,910 |
Highest-Paying Metros for Counselors
Counselor Salary by Experience
Estimated salary ranges derived from BLS wage percentiles. Entry level corresponds to P10–P25, mid-career to the median, experienced to P75, and senior to P90+.
| Experience level | Estimated salary |
|---|---|
| Entry level (0–2 yrs) | ~$36,160 – $42,760 |
| Mid career (3–7 yrs) | ~$49,830 |
| Experienced (8–15 yrs) | ~$66,510 |
| Senior (15+ yrs) | $91,420+ |
How to Earn More as a Counselor
Location is the single biggest salary lever: Counselors in Washington-Arlington-Alexandria, DC-VA-MD-WV earn $107,990 — $58,160 above the national median. Earning an additional certification or completing a bachelor's degree can push your salary from the median toward the 75th percentile. Reaching the 75th percentile ($66,510) typically requires 5–10 years of experience plus specialization in a high-demand area.
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SOC: 21-1019.00 · Data: BLS OEWS 2026, O*NET 29.1 · Salary figures are national medians unless otherwise noted.