As of May 01, 2026, the average salary for a Career Counselor in the United States is $52,351 per year, which breaks down to an hourly rate of $25.
However, a Career Counselor's salary can vary significantly. Here’s a look at the typical salary range:
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A 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, education and company size can directly affect your earning potential.
Experience is a primary driver of a 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:
| Levels | Salary |
|---|---|
| Entry Level Career Counselor | $49,907 |
| Intermediate Level Career Counselor | $50,084 |
| Senior Level Career Counselor | $53,547 |
| Specialist Level Career Counselor | $55,142 |
| Expert Level Career Counselor | $55,342 |
What Am I Worth?
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 Career Counselors. For example, consider the average annual salaries in these key locations:
Demanded Skills for the Role:
| Skills | Demand Percentage |
|---|---|
| Coaching | 7.69% |
| Exploration | 3.56% |
| Support Services | 1.44% |
| Skill | Salary | Salary % Increase |
|---|---|---|
|
Digital Marketing
|
$54,969 |
5%
|
|
Decision Making
|
$54,969 |
5%
|
|
Innovation
|
$54,969 |
5%
|
|
Networking
|
$54,445 |
4%
|
|
Problem Solving
|
$54,445 |
4%
|
|
Vocational Training
|
$54,445 |
4%
|
Your level of education can impact your salary potential. While many Career Counselors enter the field with a Bachelor's Degree degree, higher education can lead to more specialized and higher-paying roles.
According to our 100% employer-reported salary data, the median salary for a Career Counselor with a Bachelor's Degree is between $53,698 and $57,078).
Career Counselor Salaries by Degree Level
| Degree Level | % of user with this level of education |
|---|---|
| No Diploma | 0.2% |
| High School | 3.8% |
| Associates | 3.5% |
| Bachelors | 27.4% |
| Masters | 62.7% |
| Doctorate | 2.4% |
Understanding how a 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 May 01, 2026Salaries for a Career Counselor can change over time, reflecting shifts in market demand and the overall economy. The median salary increased from $52,261 in 2023 to around $52,306 in 2025, reflecting changes in demand, location, experience, and the wider economy. For a detailed analysis of Career Counselor salary trends, .
| Year | Average Annual Salary |
|---|---|
| 2022 |
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|
| 2023 | $52,261 |
| 2024 | $52,511 |
| 2025 | $52,306 |
| 2026 |
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|
| 2027 |
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|
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Compensation PlanningHere are companies hiring for Career Counselor and their salaries, click below for more details.
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Salary.com provides salary estimates, histograms, trends, and comparisons using data from employer job postings and third-party sources.
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