Summer Program Counselor Salary in the United States

How much does a Summer Program Counselor make in the United States?

As of June 01, 2026, the average salary for a Summer Program Counselor in the United States is $46,298 per year, which breaks down to an hourly rate of $22.

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

  • Top Earners (90th percentile): $55,871
  • Majority Range (25th-75th percentile): $40,563 to $51,309
  • Entry-Level (10th percentile): $35,341
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View as table View as graph 25% $40,563 10% $35,341 90% $55,871 75% $51,309 $46,298 50%(Median) Didn’t find job title? Click

Summer Program Counselor Salaries by Percentile

Annual
Salary
Monthly
Pay
Weekly
Pay
Hourly
Wage
75th Percentile $51,309 $4,276 $987 $25
Average $46,298 $3,858 $890 $22
25th Percentile $40,563 $3,380 $780 $20
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Key Factors That Influence Summer Program Counselor Salaries

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

  • District of Columbia: $51,262.
  • California: $51,067.
  • Massachusetts: $50,387.

Top Paying Cities for Summer Program 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: $58,396
  • San Francisco: $57,757
  • Oakland: $56,540

What Skills Can Increase a Summer Program Counselor's Salary?

Demanded Skills for the Role:

  • Customer Service (Mentioned in 10.17% 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.
  • Therapeutic Recreation (Mentioned in 2.93% Job Postings): Therapeutic recreation is a type of therapy that uses activities to help meet the physical and emotional needs of patients with an illness or disability and help them develop skills for daily living.
  • Cash Handling (Mentioned in 1.23% Job Postings): Process of receiving and giving money in a business. In retail, cash handling ranges from the point of sale to the behind-the-scenes money management during the day.
See More Skills
Skills Demand Percentage
Customer Service 10.17%
Therapeutic Recreation 2.93%
Cash Handling 1.23%
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 Summer Program Counselor's salary.
  • Analysis: Can increase your salary by up to 8%.
  • Problem Solving: Can increase your salary by up to 5%.
  • Commitment: Can increase your salary by up to 5%.
Skill Salary Salary % Increase
Analysis
$50,002
8%
Problem Solving
$48,613
5%
Commitment
$48,613
5%
Coaching
$48,150
4%
Leadership
$48,150
4%
Presentation
$48,150
4%
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How Education impacts a Summer Program Counselor's Salary?

Your level of education can impact your salary potential. While many Summer Program 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 Summer Program Counselor with a Bachelor's Degree is between $50,086 and $53,444).

Summer Program Counselor Salaries by Degree Level

Typical Education for Summer Program Counselor
Degree Level % of user with this level of education
No Diploma 5.0%
High School 5.0%
Associates 8.5%
Bachelors 57.4%
Masters 28.4%
Doctorate 0.7%
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Summer Program Counselor Salary: Hourly Rate, Weekly Pay, and Monthly Pay

Understanding how a Summer Program 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 June 01, 2026

Salary Trends for Summer Program Counselor

Salaries for a Summer Program Counselor can change over time, reflecting shifts in market demand and the overall economy. The median salary decreased from $50,133 in 2023 to around $49,251 in 2025, reflecting changes in demand, location, experience, and the wider economy. For a detailed analysis of Summer Program Counselor salary trends, .

Average Annual Salary of Summer Program Counselor Over Time

2022
$???
2023
$50,133
2024
$49,599
2025
$49,251
2026
$???
2027
$???
Year Average Annual Salary
2022
View More
2023 $50,133
2024 $49,599
2025 $49,251
2026
View More
2027
View More

Most common benefits for Summer Program Counselor

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

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

Find Your Next Summer Program Counselor Job

Ready to take the next step in your career? Browse thousands of current Summer Program Counselor job openings on our job board. Use the search bar below to find your perfect match.

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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.)

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