Foster Care Counselor Salary in the United States

How much does a Foster Care Counselor make in the United States?

As of January 01, 2026, the average salary for a Foster Care Counselor in the United States is $40,706 per year, which breaks down to an hourly rate of $20.

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

  • Top Earners (90th percentile): $48,380
  • Majority Range (25th-75th percentile): $37,685 to $44,722
  • Entry-Level (10th percentile): $34,936
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View as table View as graph 25% $37,685 10% $34,936 90% $48,380 75% $44,722 $40,706 50%(Median) Didn’t find job title? Click

Foster Care Counselor Salaries by Percentile

Annual
Salary
Monthly
Pay
Weekly
Pay
Hourly
Wage
75th Percentile $44,722 $3,727 $860 $22
Average $40,706 $3,392 $783 $20
25th Percentile $37,685 $3,140 $725 $18
Check out Foster Care Counselor Job Openings in the United States
Spiritual Care Counselor

Agape Care Group - COLUMBIA, MO

Spiritual Care Counselor

Agape Care Group - STAUNTON, VA

Foster Care Masters Team Leader

Helen Ross McNabb Center - KNOXVILLE, TN

Adult Foster Care Supervisor

Tempus Unlimited Inc. - STOUGHTON, MA

Search More Foster Care Counselor Jobs in the United States

Key Factors That Influence Foster Care Counselor Salaries

A Foster Care 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 Experience Level Affects Foster Care Counselor Salaries?

Experience is a primary driver of a Foster Care 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:

  • Entry-Level (less than 1 year): $39,992
  • Early Career (1-2 years): $40,076
  • Mid-Level (2-4 years): $40,915
  • Senior-Level (5-8 years): $42,556
  • Expert (over 8 years): $43,213
Levels Salary
Entry Level Foster Care Counselor$39,992
Intermediate Level Foster Care Counselor$40,076
Senior Level Foster Care Counselor$40,915
Specialist Level Foster Care Counselor$42,556
Expert Level Foster Care Counselor$43,213
$39,992 0 yr
$40,076 < 2 yrs
$40,915 2-4 yrs
$42,556 5-8 yrs
$43,213 > 8 yrs
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What Am I Worth?

How Do Foster Care 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 Foster Care Counselors. For example, consider the average annual salaries in these key locations:

  • District of Columbia: $45,069.
  • California: $44,898.
  • Massachusetts: $44,300.

Top Paying Cities for Foster Care 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: $51,342
  • San Francisco: $50,837
  • Oakland: $49,710

What Skills Can Increase a Foster Care Counselor's Salary?

Demanded Skills for the Role:

  • Customer Service (Mentioned in 6.83% 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.
  • Housekeeping (Mentioned in 3.86% Job Postings): Housekeeping department is keeping the venue clean and sanitary as part of customer service. Cleaners vacuum rugs and furniture in hallways, rooms and public areas. They collect trash and empty wastebaskets, change the sheets and make the beds.
  • Warehouse Management (Mentioned in 1.82% Job Postings): Planning, arranging, and organizing goods and materials for the daily operation of a warehouse.
See More Skills
Skills Demand Percentage
Customer Service 6.83%
Housekeeping 3.86%
Warehouse Management 1.82%
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 Foster Care Counselor's salary.
  • Presentation: Can increase your salary by up to 9%.
  • Collaboration: Can increase your salary by up to 5%.
  • Scheduling: Can increase your salary by up to 4%.
Skill Salary Salary % Increase
Presentation
$44,369
9%
Collaboration
$42,741
5%
Scheduling
$42,334
4%
Standard Operating Procedures
$42,334
4%
Leadership
$42,334
4%
Dedication
$41,927
3%
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How Education impacts a Foster Care Counselor's Salary?

Your level of education can impact your salary potential. While many Foster Care Counselors enter the field with a High School Diploma or Technical Certificate 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 Foster Care Counselor with a High School Diploma or Technical Certificate is between $40,284 and $42,760).

Foster Care Counselor Salaries by Degree Level

Typical Education for Foster Care Counselor
Degree Level % of user with this level of education
No Diploma 7.5%
High School 60.0%
Associates 25.0%
Bachelors 7.5%
Masters 0.0%
Doctorate 0.0%
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Foster Care Counselor Salary: Hourly Rate, Weekly Pay, and Monthly Pay

Understanding how a Foster Care 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 January 01, 2026

Salary Trends for Foster Care Counselor

Salaries for a Foster Care Counselor can change over time, reflecting shifts in market demand and the overall economy. The median salary decreased from $44,106 in 2023 to around $43,772 in 2025, reflecting changes in demand, location, experience, and the wider economy. For a detailed analysis of Foster Care Counselor salary trends, .

Average Annual Salary of Foster Care Counselor Over Time

2022
$???
2023
$44,106
2024
$44,068
2025
$43,772
2026
$???
2027
$???
Year Average Annual Salary
2022
View More
2023 $44,106
2024 $44,068
2025 $43,772
2026
View More
2027
View More

Most common benefits for Foster Care Counselor

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

Here are companies hiring for Foster Care 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.)

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