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Hourly Wage for Counselor Salary in the United States

What is the hourly salary range of Counselor?

As of August 01, 2026, the average hourly rate for a Counselor in the United States is $31, which translates to an annual salary of about $64,445.

However, the hourly wage can vary significantly based on several factors. Here’s a detailed look at the typical pay range per hour:

  • Top Earners (90th percentile): $38 per hour
  • Majority Range (25th-75th percentile): $29 to $35 per hour
  • Entry-Level (10th percentile): $26 per hour
Salary Factors Salary-Boosting Skills Salary by Experience Related Job Salaries Top Paying Cities Explore Related Jobs

Key Factors That Influence Counselor Salaries

A 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 Counselor Salaries?

Experience is a primary driver of a 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): $62,760
  • Early Career (1-2 years): $63,143
  • Mid-Level (2-4 years): $63,679
  • Senior-Level (5-8 years): $64,685
  • Expert (over 8 years): $67,084
Levels Salary
Entry Level Counselor$62,760
Intermediate Level Counselor$63,143
Senior Level Counselor$63,679
Specialist Level Counselor$64,685
Expert Level Counselor$67,084
View as Graph

How Do Counselors 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 Counselors. For example, consider the average annual salaries in these key locations:
  • District of Columbia: $71,354.
  • California: $71,083.
  • Massachusetts: $70,135.

Top Paying Cities for Counselor

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: $81,284
  • San Francisco: $80,394
  • Oakland: $78,700

Counselor Salary by Company Size: Startups vs. Enterprise

Counselor salary potential scales significantly with company size. Data shows that Enterprise companies (5,000+ employees) pay the highest average salary at around $68,714. While startup companies pay approximate $58,458.

Counselor Salary by Company Size

Company Size Employees Average Salary
Startup 1~50 $58,458
Growth Stage 51~500 $61,740
Established 501~5000 $66,441
Enterprise 5000+ $68,714

Counselor Salary by Industry: Top Paying Sectors

For Counselor roles, the industry you choose can impact your earning potential by as much as 50% (the gap between the highest and lowest paying industries). Data shows that the highest-paying industry, Healthcare, offers compensation 20% above the average. Conversely, Counselor positions in Business Services typically offer lower base pay, as this sector often view Counselor as a support function rather than a direct revenue driver.

The top paying industries for a Counselor

Industry Sector Average Annual Salary Average Hourly Rate Pay vs.Avg
Healthcare$77,334$37.020%
Edu., Gov't. & Nonprofit$70,890$34.010%

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

Understanding how a 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 August 01, 2026
$59,314
Average $64,445/year
$72,482
$4,943
Average $5,370/month
$6,040
$1,141
Average $1,239/week
$1,394
$29
Average $31/hour
$35
Annual Salary Monthly Pay Weekly Pay Hourly Wage
75th Percentile $72,482 $6,040 $1,394 $35
Average $64,445 $5,370 $1,239 $31
25th Percentile $59,314 $4,943 $1,141 $29

Most common benefits for Counselor

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

Common company salaries for Counselor

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

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FAQ about Counselor

1. What are the responsibilities of Counselor?

Provides medical or personal guidance and direction to individuals. Identifies objectives and helps individuals develop strategies and solutions to achieve their goals. Monitors progress, documents activities, and maintains files. May refer subjects to specialists or recommend additional services for further treatment. May require a bachelor's degree. May require State License to Practice. Typically reports to a supervisor. Years of experience may be unspecified. Certification and/or licensing in the position's specialty is the main requirement.

Where Does Our Salary Data Come From?

Salary.com salary estimates, histograms, trends, and comparisons are derived from both employer job postings and third-party data sources. We also provide multiple percentiles of salary information for your reference, click here to know Why the Salary Midpoint Formula Is Crucial to Getting Pay Equity Right. With more online, real-time compensation data than any other website, Salary.com helps you determine your exact pay target.

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