Academic/Guidance Counselor Salary in the United States

How much does an Academic/Guidance Counselor make in the United States?

As of March 01, 2026, the average salary for an Academic/Guidance Counselor in the United States is $48,514 per year, which breaks down to an hourly rate of $23.

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

  • Top Earners (90th percentile): $56,503
  • Majority Range (25th-75th percentile): $44,008 to $52,696
  • Entry-Level (10th percentile): $39,904
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View as table View as graph 25% $44,008 10% $39,904 90% $56,503 75% $52,696 $48,514 50%(Median) Didn’t find job title? Click

Academic/Guidance Counselor Salaries by Percentile

Annual
Salary
Monthly
Pay
Weekly
Pay
Hourly
Wage
75th Percentile $52,696 $4,391 $1,013 $25
Average $48,514 $4,043 $933 $23
25th Percentile $44,008 $3,667 $846 $21
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Key Factors That Influence Academic/Guidance Counselor Salaries

An Academic/Guidance 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.

How Do Academic/Guidance 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 Academic/Guidance Counselors. For example, consider the average annual salaries in these key locations:

  • District of Columbia: $53,715.
  • California: $53,511.
  • Massachusetts: $52,798.

Top Paying Cities for Academic/Guidance 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: $61,191
  • San Francisco: $60,590
  • Oakland: $59,246

What Skills Can Increase an Academic/Guidance Counselor'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.
See More Skills
Skills Demand Percentage
Customer Service 13.76%
Financial Literacy 2.18%
Data Entry 1.24%
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/Guidance Counselor'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
$55,306
14%
Leadership
$51,910
7%
Analysis
$50,940
5%
Planning
$50,940
5%
Critical Thinking
$49,970
3%
Needs Analysis
$49,970
3%
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How Education impacts an Academic/Guidance Counselor's Salary?

Your level of education can impact your salary potential. While many Academic/Guidance Counselors enter the field with a Associate'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 an Academic/Guidance Counselor with a Associate's Degree is between $46,077 and $49,339).

Academic/Guidance Counselor Salaries by Degree Level

Typical Education for Academic/Guidance Counselor
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%
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Academic/Guidance Counselor Salary: Hourly Rate, Weekly Pay, and Monthly Pay

Understanding how an Academic/Guidance 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 March 01, 2026

Salary Trends for Academic/Guidance Counselor

Salaries for an Academic/Guidance Counselor can change over time, reflecting shifts in market demand and the overall economy. The median salary decreased from $51,545 in 2023 to around $50,460 in 2025, reflecting changes in demand, location, experience, and the wider economy. For a detailed analysis of Academic/Guidance Counselor salary trends, .

Average Annual Salary of Academic/Guidance Counselor Over Time

2022
$???
2023
$51,545
2024
$51,090
2025
$50,460
2026
$???
2027
$???
Year Average Annual Salary
2022
View More
2023 $51,545
2024 $51,090
2025 $50,460
2026
View More
2027
View More

Most common benefits for Academic/Guidance Counselor

Social Security
401(k)
Disability
Healthcare
Pension
Time Off (days)
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Common company salaries for Academic/Guidance Counselor

Here are companies hiring for Academic/Guidance 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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