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Financial Aid Counselor - Higher Ed. Salary in the United States

How much does a Financial Aid Counselor - Higher Ed. make in the United States?

As of August 01, 2026, the average salary for a Financial Aid Counselor - Higher Ed. in the United States is $48,556 per year, which breaks down to an hourly rate of $23.

However, a Financial Aid Counselor - Higher Ed.'s salary can vary significantly. Here’s a look at the typical salary range:

  • Top Earners (90th percentile): $56,118
  • Majority Range (25th-75th percentile): $43,489 to $52,514
  • Entry-Level (10th percentile): $38,876
Salary Factors Salary-Boosting Skills Salary by Experience Related Job Salaries Top Paying Cities Explore Related Jobs

Key Factors That Influence Financial Aid Counselor - Higher Ed. Salaries

A Financial Aid Counselor - Higher Ed.'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 Financial Aid Counselor - Higher Ed. Salaries?

Experience is a primary driver of a Financial Aid Counselor - Higher Ed.'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:

  • Financial Aid Counselor - Higher Ed. (2-4 years): $48,556
  • Financial Aid Manager (4-5 years): $65,439
  • Financial Aid Director - Higher Ed. (5+ years): $97,119
Job Role Years of Experience Average Salary
Financial Aid Counselor - Higher Ed.2-4 years$48,556
Financial Aid Manager4-5 years$65,439
Financial Aid Director - Higher Ed.5+ years$97,119
View as Graph

How Do Financial Aid Counselor - Higher Ed.s 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 Financial Aid Counselor - Higher Ed.s. For example, consider the average annual salaries in these key locations:
  • District of Columbia: $53,761.
  • California: $53,557.
  • Massachusetts: $52,843.

Top Paying Cities for Financial Aid Counselor - Higher Ed.

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: $61,244
  • San Francisco: $60,573
  • Oakland: $59,297

What Skills Can Increase a Financial Aid Counselor - Higher Ed.'s Salary?

Demanded Skills for the Role:

  • Customer Service (Mentioned in 13.76% Job Postings): Customer service is the provision of service to customers before, during and after a purchase. The perception of success of such interactions is dependent on employees "who can adjust themselves to the personality of the guest". Customer service concerns the priority an organization assigns to customer service relative to components such as product innovation and pricing. In this sense, an organization that values good customer service may spend more money in training employees than the average organization or may proactively interview customers for feedback. From the point of view of an overall sales process engineering effort, customer service plays an important role in an organization's ability to generate income and revenue. From that perspective, customer service should be included as part of an overall approach to systematic improvement. One good customer service experience can change the entire perception a customer holds towards the organization.
  • Financial Literacy (Mentioned in 2.18% Job Postings): Financial literacy is the confident understanding of concepts including saving, investing and debt that leads to an overall sense of financial well-being and self-trust.
  • Data Entry (Mentioned in 1.24% Job Postings): Transcribing information into an electronic medium such as a computer or other electronic device.
Skills Demand Percentage
Customer Service 13.76%
Financial Literacy 2.18%
Data Entry 1.24%
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 Financial Aid Counselor - Higher Ed.'s salary.

  • Financial Planning: Can increase your salary by up to 14%.
  • Leadership: Can increase your salary by up to 7%.
  • Analysis: Can increase your salary by up to 5%.
Skill Salary Salary % Increase
Financial Planning $55,354
14%
Leadership $51,955
7%
Analysis $50,984
5%
Get Latest Data

Financial Aid Counselor - Higher Ed. Salary by Company Size: Startups vs. Enterprise

Financial Aid Counselor - Higher Ed. salary potential scales significantly with company size. Data shows that Enterprise companies (5,000+ employees) pay the highest average salary at around $50,110. While startup companies pay approximate $42,818.

Financial Aid Counselor - Higher Ed. Salary by Company Size

Company Size Employees Average Salary
Startup 1~50 $42,818
Growth Stage 51~500 $45,176
Established 501~5000 $48,510
Enterprise 5000+ $50,110

Financial Aid Counselor - Higher Ed. Salary by Industry: Top Paying Sectors

For Financial Aid Counselor - Higher Ed. roles, the industry you choose can impact your earning potential by as much as 10% (the gap between the highest and lowest paying industries). Data shows that the highest-paying industry, Government, offers compensation 5% above the average. Conversely, Financial Aid Counselor - Higher Ed. positions in Nonprofit typically offer lower base pay, as this sector often view Financial Aid Counselor - Higher Ed. as a support function rather than a direct revenue driver.

The top paying industry for a Financial Aid Counselor - Higher Ed.

Industry Sector Average Annual Salary Average Hourly Rate Pay vs.Avg
Government$50,984$25.05%

How Education impacts an Financial Aid Counselor - Higher Ed.'s Salary?

Your level of education can impact your salary potential. While many Financial Aid Counselor - Higher Ed. 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 Financial Aid Counselor - Higher Ed. with a Bachelor's Degree is between $46,331 and $49,651.

Financial Aid Counselor - Higher Ed. Salaries by Degree Level

Typical Education for Financial Aid Counselor - Higher Ed.
Degree Level % of user with this level of education
No Diploma 0.8%
High School 11.0%
Associates 9.5%
Bachelors 60.5%
Masters 18.1%
Doctorate 0.2%
View as Graph

Financial Aid Counselor - Higher Ed. Salary: Hourly Rate, Weekly Pay, and Monthly Pay

Understanding how a Financial Aid Counselor - Higher Ed.'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
$43,489
Average $48,556/year
$52,514
$3,624
Average $4,046/month
$4,376
$836
Average $934/week
$1,010
$21
Average $23/hour
$25
Annual Salary Monthly Pay Weekly Pay Hourly Wage
75th Percentile $52,514 $4,376 $1,010 $25
Average $48,556 $4,046 $934 $23
25th Percentile $43,489 $3,624 $836 $21

Financial Aid Counselor - Higher Ed. Salary Growth & Career Path

Financial Aid Counselor - Higher Ed.

Next Role

Advancement

For a Financial Aid Counselor - Higher Ed., the most direct path to higher earnings is advancing to the Financial Aid Manager role. This promotion typically comes with a significant pay increase, bringing the average annual salary to $65,439 - a projected growth of 35% over your current level.

Most common benefits for Financial Aid Counselor - Higher Ed.

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

Common company salaries for Financial Aid Counselor - Higher Ed.

Here are companies hiring for Financial Aid Counselor - Higher Ed. and their salaries, click below for more details.

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FAQ about Financial Aid Counselor - Higher Ed.

1. Where can a Financial Aid Counselor - Higher Ed. earn the most?

A Financial Aid Counselor - Higher Ed.'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, a Financial Aid Counselor - Higher Ed. earns the most in San Jose, CA, where the annual salary of a Financial Aid Counselor - Higher Ed. is $61,244.

2. What is the highest pay for Financial Aid Counselor - Higher Ed.?

The highest pay for Financial Aid Counselor - Higher Ed. is $56,118.

3. What is the lowest pay for Financial Aid Counselor - Higher Ed.?

The lowest pay for Financial Aid Counselor - Higher Ed. is $38,876.

4. What are the responsibilities of Financial Aid Counselor - Higher Ed.?

Responsible for helping students and their families navigate the financial aid process. Provides personalized guidance to students by explaining potential financial aid options, including grants, scholarships, and loans. Assists in the completion and submission of necessary financial aid forms. Requires a bachelor's degree. Typically reports to a manager. Occasionally directed in several aspects of the work. Gaining exposure to some of the complex tasks within the job function. Typically requires 2-4 years of related experience.

5. What industry pays the highest salary for Financial Aid Counselor - Higher Ed.?

The Government industry offers the highest average compensation for Financial Aid Counselor - Higher Ed. roles, with salaries approximately 5% above the market median.

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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