Educational, Guidance, and Career Counselors and Advisor Salary in 2026
How Much Do Educational, Guidance, and Career Counselors and Advisors Make?
Educational, Guidance, and Career Counselors and Advisors earn a median annual salary of $65,140 as of 2026, based on BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS) data. Wages span from $43,580 at the 10th percentile to $105,870 at the 90th percentile — a range of $62,290. The highest-paying state is California at $94,320.
| Percentile | Annual salary |
|---|---|
| 10th percentile | $43,580 |
| 25th percentile | $51,690 |
| Median (50th) | $65,140 |
| 75th percentile | $83,490 |
| 90th percentile | $105,870 |
Educational, Guidance, and Career Counselors and Advisor Salary by State
Median annual salary across all 50 states. Click a column to sort.
| State | Median salary |
|---|---|
| Californiatop | $94,320 |
| Washington | $83,930 |
| District of Columbia | $80,280 |
| Alaska | $80,020 |
| Massachusetts | $78,840 |
| New Jersey | $77,940 |
| New Mexico | $76,490 |
| Maryland | $74,970 |
| Oregon | $74,000 |
| Delaware | $72,450 |
| Rhode Island | $71,590 |
| Connecticut | $70,400 |
| New York | $69,900 |
| New Hampshire | $68,410 |
| Virginia | $67,350 |
| Louisiana | $67,070 |
| Hawaii | $66,720 |
| Nebraska | $66,650 |
| Texas | $65,660 |
| Wyoming | $65,070 |
| Nevada | $64,960 |
| Kentucky | $64,390 |
| Georgia | $63,990 |
| Colorado | $63,900 |
| Wisconsin | $63,690 |
| Michigan | $63,240 |
| Minnesota | $63,230 |
| Utah | $62,500 |
| Ohio | $61,960 |
| Pennsylvania | $61,460 |
| Illinois | $61,210 |
| Vermont | $60,920 |
| Alabama | $60,530 |
| Idaho | $60,340 |
| North Dakota | $60,330 |
| Arkansas | $60,110 |
| Mississippi | $59,630 |
| Montana | $59,480 |
| Maine | $59,160 |
| Tennessee | $59,090 |
| Kansas | $58,430 |
| Arizona | $57,940 |
| South Carolina | $57,400 |
| North Carolina | $57,100 |
| Indiana | $56,470 |
| Iowa | $55,910 |
| West Virginia | $55,420 |
| Florida | $54,080 |
| Missouri | $53,790 |
| South Dakota | $52,450 |
| Oklahoma | $51,140 |
Highest-Paying Metros for Educational, Guidance, and Career Counselors and Advisors
Educational, Guidance, and Career Counselors and Advisor 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) | ~$43,580 – $51,690 |
| Mid career (3–7 yrs) | ~$65,140 |
| Experienced (8–15 yrs) | ~$83,490 |
| Senior (15+ yrs) | $105,870+ |
How to Earn More as an Educational, Guidance, and Career Counselors and Advisor
Location is the single biggest salary lever: Educational, Guidance, and Career Counselors and Advisors in El Centro, CA earn $134,820 — $69,680 above the national median. An advanced credential — such as a graduate degree or specialized certification — is consistently associated with higher earnings in this field. Reaching the 75th percentile ($83,490) typically requires 5–10 years of experience plus specialization in a high-demand area.
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Educational, Guidance, and Career Counselors and Advisor Salary vs Similar Careers
| Career | Median salary |
|---|---|
| Educational, Guidance, and Career Counselors and Advisorthis career | $65,140 |
| Education Administrators, Kindergarten through Secondary | $104,070 |
| Education Administrator | $103,960 |
| Training and Development Specialist | $65,850 |
| Clinical and Counseling Psychologist | $95,830 |
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SOC: 21-1012.00 · Data: BLS OEWS 2026, O*NET 29.1 · Salary figures are national medians unless otherwise noted.