Lead Counselor Salary in the United States

How much does a Lead Counselor make in the United States?

As of February 01, 2026, the average salary for a Lead Counselor in the United States is $82,829 per year, which breaks down to an hourly rate of $40.

However, a Lead Counselor's salary can vary significantly. Here’s a look at the typical salary range:

  • Top Earners (90th percentile): $100,321
  • Majority Range (25th-75th percentile): $73,259 to $91,985
  • Entry-Level (10th percentile): $64,546
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View as table View as graph 25% $73,259 10% $64,546 90% $100,321 75% $91,985 $82,829 50%(Median) Didn’t find job title? Click

Lead Counselor Salaries by Percentile

Annual
Salary
Monthly
Pay
Weekly
Pay
Hourly
Wage
75th Percentile $91,985 $7,665 $1,769 $44
Average $82,829 $6,902 $1,593 $40
25th Percentile $73,259 $6,105 $1,409 $35
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Key Factors That Influence Lead Counselor Salaries

A Lead 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 Lead 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 Lead Counselors. For example, consider the average annual salaries in these key locations:

  • District of Columbia: $91,708.
  • California: $91,361.
  • Massachusetts: $90,143.

Top Paying Cities for Lead 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: $104,472
  • San Francisco: $103,445
  • Oakland: $101,151

What Skills Can Increase a Lead Counselor's Salary?

Demanded Skills for the Role:

  • Planning (Mentioned in 5.65% Job Postings): An act or process of making or carrying out plans. Establishment of goals, policies, and procedures for a social or economic unit city planning business planning.
  • Economics (Mentioned in 4.28% Job Postings): Economics is a social science that focuses on the production, distribution, and consumption of goods and services, and analyzes the choices that individuals, businesses, governments, and nations make to allocate resources.
  • Field Service (Mentioned in 1.69% Job Postings): Managing and optimizing operations to respond to and address customer requests at off-site locations or client sites.
See More Skills
Skills Demand Percentage
Planning 5.65%
Economics 4.28%
Field Service 1.69%
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 Lead Counselor's salary.
  • Recruitment and Selection: Can increase your salary by up to 8%.
  • Enterprise Services: Can increase your salary by up to 7%.
  • Client Service: Can increase your salary by up to 6%.
Skill Salary Salary % Increase
Recruitment and Selection
$89,456
8%
Enterprise Services
$88,627
7%
Client Service
$87,799
6%
Commitment
$87,799
6%
Analysis
$86,971
5%
Coordination
$86,971
5%
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How Education impacts a Lead Counselor's Salary?

Your level of education can impact your salary potential. While many Lead 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 Lead Counselor with a Bachelor's Degree is between $72,864 and $78,433).

Lead Counselor Salaries by Degree Level

Typical Education for Lead Counselor
Degree Level % of user with this level of education
No Diploma 3.6%
High School 3.6%
Associates 2.0%
Bachelors 24.5%
Masters 67.3%
Doctorate 2.6%
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Lead Counselor Salary: Hourly Rate, Weekly Pay, and Monthly Pay

Understanding how a Lead 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 February 01, 2026

Salary Trends for Lead Counselor

Salaries for a Lead Counselor can change over time, reflecting shifts in market demand and the overall economy. The median salary decreased from $48,040 in 2023 to around $47,497 in 2025, reflecting changes in demand, location, experience, and the wider economy. For a detailed analysis of Lead Counselor salary trends, .

Average Annual Salary of Lead Counselor Over Time

2022
$???
2023
$48,040
2024
$48,064
2025
$47,497
2026
$???
2027
$???
Year Average Annual Salary
2022
View More
2023 $48,040
2024 $48,064
2025 $47,497
2026
View More
2027
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Most common benefits for Lead Counselor

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

Here are companies hiring for Lead 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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