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Student Career Counselor Salary in the United States

How much does a Student Career Counselor make in the United States?

As of October 01, 2026, the average salary for a Student Career Counselor in the United States is $51,648 per year, which breaks down to an hourly rate of $25.

However, a Student Career Counselor's salary can vary significantly. Here’s a look at the typical salary range:

  • Top Earners (90th percentile): $64,297
  • Majority Range (25th-75th percentile): $45,726 to $58,269
  • Entry-Level (10th percentile): $40,334
Salary Factors Salary-Boosting Skills Salary by Experience Related Job Salaries Top Paying Cities Explore Related Jobs

Key Factors That Influence Student Career Counselor Salaries

A Student Career Counselor's salary isn't a fixed number. It's shaped by several important factors. Below, we'll explore how your years of experience, geographic location and company size can directly affect your earning potential.

How Experience Level Affects Student Career Counselor Salaries?

Experience is a primary driver of a Student Career Counselor's salary. As you build your skills and take on more complex tasks, your compensation generally increases. Here's how the average salary grows at different career stages:

  • Entry-Level (less than 1 year): $49,693
  • Early Career (1-2 years): $49,870
  • Mid-Level (2-4 years): $53,318
  • Senior-Level (5-8 years): $54,899
  • Expert (over 8 years): $55,097
Levels Salary
Entry Level Student Career Counselor$49,693
Intermediate Level Student Career Counselor$49,870
Senior Level Student Career Counselor$53,318
Specialist Level Student Career Counselor$54,899
Expert Level Student Career Counselor$55,097
View as Graph

How Do Student Career Counselor Salaries Vary from State to State?

Your salary can change significantly depending on where you work. States with a higher cost of living and strong industrial sectors often pay more to attract Student Career Counselors. For example, consider the average annual salaries in these key locations:
  • District of Columbia: $57,186.
  • California: $56,969.
  • Massachusetts: $56,210.

Top Paying Cities for Student Career Counselors

Salaries can also vary between different cities. Major metropolitan areas or cities with a high demand for technicians often offer more competitive pay. Here are a few examples of average annual salaries in different U.S. cities:

  • San Jose: $65,147
  • San Francisco: $64,433
  • Oakland: $63,075

What Skills Can Increase a Student Career Counselor's Salary?

Demanded Skills for the Role:

  • Coaching (Mentioned in 7.69% Job Postings): Coaching is a form of development in which an experienced person, called a coach, supports a learner or client in achieving a specific personal or professional goal by providing training and guidance.
  • Exploration (Mentioned in 3.56% Job Postings): Activities in which people explore, examine and investigate a new and/or unexpected world of work. Work Experience is activities that offer people close and more sustained opportunities for observation and participation in one or more workplaces.
  • Support Services (Mentioned in 1.44% Job Postings): Support Services means those activities provided to or on behalf of a person in the areas of personal care and assistance and property maintenance in order to allow a person to live in the least restrictive environment.
Skills Demand Percentage
Coaching 7.69%
Exploration 3.56%
Support Services 1.44%
See More Skills

What skills can make your compensation higher?

Mastering certain specialized skills can lead to a significant increase in pay. Here are examples of skills and the potential impact they can have on a Student Career Counselor's salary.

  • Digital Marketing: Can increase your salary by up to 5%.
  • Decision Making: Can increase your salary by up to 5%.
  • Innovation: Can increase your salary by up to 5%.
Skill Salary Salary % Increase
Digital Marketing $54,230
5%
Decision Making $54,230
5%
Innovation $54,230
5%
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Student Career Counselor Salary by Company Size: Startups vs. Enterprise

Student Career Counselor salary potential scales significantly with company size. Data shows that Enterprise companies (5,000+ employees) pay the highest average salary at around $53,312. While startup companies pay approximate $45,565.

Student Career Counselor Salary by Company Size

Company Size Employees Average Salary
Startup 1~50 $45,565
Growth Stage 51~500 $48,075
Established 501~5000 $51,597
Enterprise 5000+ $53,312

Student Career Counselor Salary: Hourly Rate, Weekly Pay, and Monthly Pay

Understanding how a Student Career Counselor's annual salary breaks down can help with budgeting. Below, you can see the average hourly rate, weekly pay, and monthly pay for this role. Use the buttons to switch between different pay periods.

Last Updated on October 01, 2026
$45,726
Average $51,648/year
$58,269
$3,811
Average $4,304/month
$4,856
$879
Average $993/week
$1,121
$22
Average $25/hour
$28
Annual Salary Monthly Pay Weekly Pay Hourly Wage
75th Percentile $58,269 $4,856 $1,121 $28
Average $51,648 $4,304 $993 $25
25th Percentile $45,726 $3,811 $879 $22

Student Career Counselor Salary Growth & Career Path

Student Career Counselor

Next Role

Advancement

Promotions are the fastest way to increase your earnings. As a Student Career Counselor, you have the following paths for advancement. The table below compares the salary raises for common next-step roles. By comparing these figures, you can choose the career path that best meets your financial goals.

Next Step Role Estimate Salary Projected Raise
Director of Student Career Services $77,300 50%
College/University Student Counselor $60,800 18%
Study Abroad Director $62,600 21%

Most common benefits for Student Career Counselor

  • Social Security
  • 401 (k)
  • Disability
  • Healthcare
  • Pension
  • Time Off (days)

Common company salaries for Student Career Counselor

Here are companies hiring for Student Career Counselor and their salaries, click below for more details.

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Where Does Our Salary Data Come From?

Salary.com provides salary estimates, histograms, trends, and comparisons using data from employer job postings and third-party sources.

We offer detailed salary information across multiple percentiles for your reference. (Click here to learn Why the Salary Midpoint Formula Is Crucial for Achieving Pay Equity.)

With the most extensive online, real-time compensation data available, Salary.com helps you pinpoint your exact pay target.

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