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Academic Advisor Salary in the United States

How much does an Academic Advisor make in the United States?

As of September 01, 2026, the average salary for an Academic Advisor in the United States is $54,317 per year, which breaks down to an hourly rate of $26.

However, an Academic Advisor's salary can vary significantly. Here’s a look at the typical salary range:

  • Top Earners (90th percentile): $68,812
  • Majority Range (25th-75th percentile): $48,816 to $61,904
  • Entry-Level (10th percentile): $43,808
Salary Factors Salary-Boosting Skills Salary by Experience Related Job Salaries Top Paying Cities Explore Related Jobs

Key Factors That Influence Academic Advisor Salaries

An Academic Advisor'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, education and company size can directly affect your earning potential.

How Experience Level Affects Academic Advisor Salaries?

Experience is a primary driver of an Academic Advisor'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): $52,511
  • Early Career (1-2 years): $52,675
  • Mid-Level (2-4 years): $54,883
  • Senior-Level (5-8 years): $58,054
  • Expert (over 8 years): $58,280
Levels Salary
Entry Level Academic Advisor$52,511
Intermediate Level Academic Advisor$52,675
Senior Level Academic Advisor$54,883
Specialist Level Academic Advisor$58,054
Expert Level Academic Advisor$58,280
View as Graph

How Do Academic Advisor 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 Academic Advisors. For example, consider the average annual salaries in these key locations:
  • District of Columbia: $60,140.
  • California: $59,912.
  • Massachusetts: $59,113.

Top Paying Cities for Academic Advisors

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: $68,510
  • San Francisco: $67,760
  • Oakland: $66,332

What Skills Can Increase an Academic Advisor's Salary?

Demanded Skills for the Role:

  • Leadership (Mentioned in 5.83% Job Postings): Knowledge of and ability to employ effective strategies that motivate and guide other members within our business to achieve optimum results.
  • Tutoring (Mentioned in 2.26% Job Postings): A Tutor is responsible for helping students learn and understand new concepts and complete assignments.
  • Early Childhood Education (Mentioned in 1.01% Job Postings): Early childhood education, also known as nursery education, is a branch of education theory that relates to the teaching of children from birth up to the age of eight.
Skills Demand Percentage
Leadership 5.83%
Tutoring 2.26%
Early Childhood Education 1.01%
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 an Academic Advisor's salary.

  • Client Service: Can increase your salary by up to 9%.
  • Consulting: Can increase your salary by up to 8%.
  • Analysis: Can increase your salary by up to 6%.
Skill Salary Salary % Increase
Client Service $59,206
9%
Consulting $58,662
8%
Analysis $57,576
6%
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Academic Advisor Salary by Company Size: Startups vs. Enterprise

Academic Advisor salary potential scales significantly with company size. Data shows that Enterprise companies (5,000+ employees) pay the highest average salary at around $56,077. While startup companies pay approximate $47,888.

Academic Advisor Salary by Company Size

Company Size Employees Average Salary
Startup 1~50 $47,888
Growth Stage 51~500 $50,536
Established 501~5000 $54,275
Enterprise 5000+ $56,077

How Education impacts an Academic Advisor's Salary?

Your level of education can impact your salary potential. While many Academic Advisor enter the field with a Bachelor's Degree, higher education can lead to more specialized and higher-paying roles.

According to our 100% employer-reported salary data, the median salary for an Academic Advisor with a Bachelor's Degree is between $52,077 and $55,563.

Academic Advisor Salaries by Degree Level

Typical Education for Academic Advisor
Degree Level % of user with this level of education
No Diploma 0.5%
High School 1.7%
Associates 2.1%
Bachelors 32.5%
Masters 59.3%
Doctorate 4.0%
View as Graph

Academic Advisor Salary: Hourly Rate, Weekly Pay, and Monthly Pay

Understanding how an Academic Advisor'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 September 01, 2026
$48,816
Average $54,317/year
$61,904
$4,068
Average $4,526/month
$5,159
$939
Average $1,045/week
$1,190
$23
Average $26/hour
$30
Annual Salary Monthly Pay Weekly Pay Hourly Wage
75th Percentile $61,904 $5,159 $1,190 $30
Average $54,317 $4,526 $1,045 $26
25th Percentile $48,816 $4,068 $939 $23

Academic Advisor Salary Growth & Career Path

Academic Advisor

Next Role

Advancement

Promotions are the fastest way to increase your earnings. As an Academic Advisor, 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
Career Counselor - Higher Ed. $50,407 -7%
Student Psychologist - Higher Ed. $60,758 12%
Foreign Studies Advisor $48,775 -10%

Most common benefits for Academic Advisor

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

Common company salaries for Academic Advisor

Here are companies hiring for Academic Advisor and their salaries, click below for more details.

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FAQ about Academic Advisor

1. Where can an Academic Advisor earn the most?

An Academic Advisor's earning potential can vary widely depending on several factors, including location, industry, experience, education, and the specific employer. According to the latest salary data by Salary.com, an Academic Advisor earns the most in San Jose, CA, where the annual salary of an Academic Advisor is $68,510.

2. What is the highest pay for Academic Advisor?

The highest pay for Academic Advisor is $68,812.

3. What is the lowest pay for Academic Advisor?

The lowest pay for Academic Advisor is $43,808.

4. What are the responsibilities of Academic Advisor?

Advises university/college students in major selection, requirements for selected areas of concentration, and post-college plans. Assists students in navigating academic policies and procedures. Works with students to set academic goals, select courses, and career development. Evaluates students and may make referrals for tutoring or more specialized counseling. Requires a bachelor's degree. Typically reports to a manager. Work is closely managed. Works on projects/matters of limited complexity in a support role. Typically requires 0-2 years of related experience.

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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