Educational, Guidance, and Career Counselors and Advisors Salary by State
Also called: Educational and Career Counselors
The national median pay for educational, guidance, and career counselors and advisors is $64,330 a year. By state, it ranges from $51,830 in South Dakota to $86,500 in California.
Updated October 2026 · Data: BLS OEWS May 2025 · How we match careers
U.S. pay range
- Lowest 10%
- $45,020
- 25th percentile
- $51,270
- Median
- $64,330
- 75th percentile
- $82,870
- Top 10%
- $104,770
Annual pay, all U.S. workers in this job. About 353,310 jobs.
Median pay in 50 states and DC
| # | State | Median | vs. U.S. | Lowest 10% | Top 10% | Jobs |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | California | $86,500 | +34% | $51,890 | $136,660 | 45,140 |
| 2 | Alaska | $82,900 | +29% | $50,870 | $103,420 | 540 |
| 3 | Washington | $82,670 | +29% | $57,980 | $125,950 | 6,610 |
| 4 | District of Columbia | $80,470 | +25% | $50,900 | $113,620 | 1,690 |
| 5 | Massachusetts | $79,930 | +24% | $59,460 | $117,630 | 11,460 |
| 6 | New Jersey | $77,910 | +21% | $57,850 | $108,500 | 8,190 |
| 7 | New Mexico | $77,880 | +21% | $46,660 | $103,110 | 1,780 |
| 8 | Maryland | $75,820 | +18% | $48,460 | $116,650 | 6,600 |
| 9 | Rhode Island | $75,000 | +17% | $49,100 | $102,340 | 1,340 |
| 10 | Delaware | $74,070 | +15% | $47,750 | $96,140 | 1,700 |
| 11 | Connecticut | $73,910 | +15% | $46,510 | $108,540 | 3,370 |
| 12 | New York | $71,610 | +11% | $46,100 | $123,850 | 23,380 |
| 13 | New Hampshire | $71,080 | +10% | $47,990 | $96,630 | 1,650 |
| 14 | Texas | $67,900 | +6% | $42,380 | $101,830 | 31,730 |
| 15 | Virginia | $67,660 | +5% | $45,700 | $103,380 | 9,450 |
| 16 | Nevada | $66,710 | +4% | $46,570 | $94,530 | 2,250 |
| 17 | Oregon | $66,690 | +4% | $50,190 | $119,780 | 3,990 |
| 18 | Colorado | $64,780 | +1% | $48,690 | $97,960 | 6,530 |
| 19 | Minnesota | $64,600 | 0% | $47,870 | $94,100 | 4,200 |
| 20 | Vermont | $64,570 | 0% | $50,810 | $94,010 | 1,120 |
| 21 | Kentucky | $64,350 | 0% | $40,840 | $99,390 | 5,030 |
| 22 | Georgia | $63,720 | −1% | $42,040 | $101,880 | 11,460 |
| 23 | Wyoming | $63,430 | −1% | $49,440 | $91,330 | 770 |
| 24 | Wisconsin | $62,690 | −3% | $47,470 | $86,510 | 5,330 |
| 25 | Nebraska | $62,500 | −3% | $45,050 | $100,160 | 2,190 |
| 26 | Illinois | $62,420 | −3% | $44,890 | $110,580 | 13,580 |
| 27 | Louisiana | $61,870 | −4% | $45,340 | $87,940 | 4,820 |
| 28 | Ohio | $61,760 | −4% | $43,010 | $99,810 | 13,250 |
| 29 | Hawaii | $61,730 | −4% | $49,350 | $93,720 | 1,620 |
| 30 | Utah | $61,320 | −5% | $37,260 | $101,780 | 4,070 |
| 31 | Pennsylvania | $60,880 | −5% | $46,200 | $97,810 | 13,570 |
| 32 | South Carolina | $60,340 | −6% | $39,800 | $86,250 | 6,460 |
| 33 | Idaho | $60,320 | −6% | $46,710 | $79,620 | 1,990 |
| 34 | Tennessee | $59,960 | −7% | $42,410 | $84,550 | 6,470 |
| 35 | Arkansas | $59,770 | −7% | $38,520 | $78,070 | 2,310 |
| 36 | Alabama | $59,570 | −7% | $37,670 | $78,570 | 4,410 |
| 37 | Michigan | $59,440 | −8% | $42,380 | $89,280 | 9,170 |
| 38 | Indiana | $59,260 | −8% | $41,180 | $82,690 | 5,610 |
| 39 | North Dakota | $58,960 | −8% | $46,860 | $79,500 | 840 |
| 40 | Mississippi | $58,710 | −9% | $38,580 | $76,610 | 2,620 |
| 41 | Maine | $58,630 | −9% | $45,300 | $82,460 | 1,780 |
| 42 | Arizona | $58,250 | −9% | $46,400 | $82,240 | 7,330 |
| 43 | Missouri | $58,040 | −10% | $41,890 | $78,740 | 8,890 |
| 44 | Montana | $57,900 | −10% | $39,180 | $87,610 | 890 |
| 45 | North Carolina | $57,630 | −10% | $40,400 | $74,070 | 9,430 |
| 46 | Kansas | $56,590 | −12% | $42,020 | $77,920 | 3,100 |
| 47 | Iowa | $56,540 | −12% | $43,470 | $77,110 | 3,690 |
| 48 | West Virginia | $55,520 | −14% | $37,940 | $73,090 | 1,260 |
| 49 | Florida | $53,140 | −17% | $38,290 | $82,780 | 22,800 |
| 50 | Oklahoma | $52,040 | −19% | $38,100 | $81,630 | 4,830 |
| 51 | South Dakota | $51,830 | −19% | $41,560 | $65,990 | 1,000 |
BLS OEWS May 2025 state estimates. States without published data are not listed. “Not published”: BLS withheld the value or it is above the highest amount BLS publishes. Pay is not adjusted for living costs.
Educational, Guidance, and Career Counselors and Advisors salary questions
Which state pays educational, guidance, and career counselors and advisors the most?
California, with a median of $86,500 a year (+34% vs. the national median of $64,330). BLS May 2025.
Which state pays educational, guidance, and career counselors and advisors the least?
South Dakota, with a median of $51,830 a year (−19% vs. national).
Where do most educational, guidance, and career counselors and advisors work?
California has the most jobs, about 45,140, with a median of $86,500.
Does a higher salary mean more money left over?
Not always. These are pay figures only. Living costs, taxes and housing differ a lot between states, and this page does not adjust for them.