What are the main factors that influence a Financial Aid Counselor's salary?

The primary factors are: 1) Experience Level, 2) Geographic Location, 3) Education/Skills, 4) Company Size & Industry

How does experience change A Financial Aid Counselor's salary?

A Financial Aid Counselor's salary grows with experience: a Financial Aid Counselor (2-4 years)earns $48,138, a Financial Aid Manager (4-5 years)earns $64,876, a Financial Aid Director - Higher Ed. (5+ years)earns $96,284,

What are the highest paying states for a Financial Aid Counselor?

Financial Aid Counselor salary varies significantly by state. The top 3 highest paying states for Financial Aid Counselor roles are District of Columbia $53,623, California $53,420, Massachusetts $52,708. These tech hubs typically pay 10-15% above the national average.

How much do different types of Financial Aid Counselor roles make?

Salaries for Financial Aid Counselor level roles vary by specialization: Financial Aid Manager: $65,439; Financial Aid Specialist: $53,350; Admissions and Financial Aid Counselor: $50,332; Financial Aid Administrator: $49,540; College Financial Aid Counselor: $48,600.

How do different companies affect a Financial Aid Counselor's salary?

Company size, industry, and compensation structure create significant salary variations for Financial Aid Counselor roles. Large, established industry leaders like New York Police Department ($97,099) and State of New York - Metropolitan Transportation Authority ($95,962) offer base salaries 35-40% above the national average. In contrast, smaller firms or startups may offer closer to $75,106.

Financial Aid Counselor Salary in the United States

How much does a Financial Aid Counselor make in the United States?

As of August 01, 2026, the average salary for a Financial Aid Counselor in the United States is $48,431 per year, which breaks down to an hourly rate of $23.

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

Top Earners (90th percentile): $56,040
Majority Range (25th-75th percentile): $43,565 to $52,414
Entry-Level (10th percentile): $39,134

Compensation Planning

Develop a Job Description

Pay Equity

2026 Compensation Trend

AI-Powered Talent

AI-Powered HR

Salary Salary + Bonus Benefits

View as table

Financial Aid Counselor Salaries by Percentile

	Annual Salary	Monthly Pay	Weekly Pay	Hourly Wage
75th Percentile	$52,414	$4,368	$1,008	$25
Average	$48,431	$4,036	$931	$23
25th Percentile	$43,565	$3,630	$838	$21

You may get higher pay by adjusting the following factors:

Change Search Criteria

Check out Financial Aid Counselor Job Openings in the United States

Financial Aid Services Advisor

Paul Mitchell Schools - Columbus, OH

Physician Emergency Medicine Ohio Permanent Emergency Medicine Physician near Columbus Ohio Job

MD Staff, LLC - Columbus, OH

Physician Other Ohio Permanent Associate Medical Director

eviCore healthcare - Columbus, OH

Instacart

Instacart - Columbus, OH

Search More Financial Aid Counselor Jobs in the United States

Key Factors That Influence Financial Aid Counselor Salaries

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

District of Columbia: $53,623.
California: $53,420.
Massachusetts: $52,708.

District of Columbia $53,623 California $53,420 Massachusetts $52,708 Washington $52,514 New Jersey $52,495 Alaska $52,427 Connecticut $51,759 New York $51,487

Hawaii $50,620 Rhode Island $50,214 Maryland $49,938 Minnesota $49,560 Colorado $49,414 Illinois $49,366 Oregon $49,182 Delaware $49,046

New Hampshire $48,961 Virginia $48,770 Pennsylvania $48,213 Nevada $47,932 North Dakota $47,840 Michigan $47,695 Wisconsin $47,642 Vermont $47,535

Texas $47,240 Maine $47,221 Arizona $47,191 Ohio $47,158 Georgia $46,712 Indiana $46,489 Wyoming $46,446 Utah $46,378

Iowa $46,349 Kansas $46,116 Louisiana $46,048 North Carolina $46,024 Missouri $46,015 Florida $45,826 Montana $45,724 Nebraska $45,627

Kentucky $45,574 South Carolina $45,380 Tennessee $45,259 Idaho $45,211 New Mexico $44,857 Oklahoma $44,780 Alabama $44,494 South Dakota $44,014

Arkansas $43,753 West Virginia $43,612 Mississippi $43,191

Top Paying Cities for Financial Aid 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: $61,086
San Francisco: $60,418
Oakland: $59,144

San Jose, CA $61,086

San Francisco, CA $60,418

Oakland, CA $59,144

New York, NY $55,763

Paramus, NJ $55,085

Queens Village, NY $55,083

Passaic, NJ $55,037

Bergenfield, NJ $55,032

Stamford, CT $54,926

Huntington, NY $54,906

Newark, NJ $54,548

Bridgeport, CT $54,446

Vallejo, CA $54,350

New Brunswick, NJ $54,330

Petaluma, CA $54,301

Middlesex, NJ $54,209

Somerset, NJ $54,175

Santa Cruz, CA $54,112

Boston, MA $53,817

Monterey, CA $53,647

Seattle, WA $53,536

Santa Rosa, CA $53,526

Los Angeles, CA $53,512

Juneau, AK $53,386

Washington, DC $53,333

Orange, CA $53,160

Santa Ana, CA $53,032

Long Beach, CA $52,984

Anaheim, CA $52,974

Anchorage, AK $52,950

Santa Maria, CA $52,805

Everett, WA $52,795

Danbury, CT $52,624

Bremerton, WA $52,558

Tacoma, WA $52,383

New Suffolk, NY $52,382

Sacramento, CA $52,369

Santa Barbara, CA $52,315

Trenton, NJ $52,262

San Diego, CA $52,262

Brockton, MA $52,209

Fairbanks, AK $52,090

Lompoc, CA $51,967

Lowell, MA $51,928

Ventura, CA $51,918

Nashua, NH $51,909

Stockton, CA $51,904

Modesto, CA $51,550

Poughkeepsie, NY $51,444

Olympia, WA $51,352

Kennewick, WA $51,352

New Haven, CT $51,332

Lawrence, MA $51,158

Hartford, CT $51,110

Riverside, CA $51,100

New Bedford, MA $51,051

Richland, WA $51,051

Bakersfield, CA $50,984

San Bernardino, CA $50,964

New Britain, CT $50,959

Atlantic City, NJ $50,959

New London, CT $50,940

Norwich, CT $50,926

Portsmouth, NH $50,916

Boulder, CO $50,813

Portland, OR $50,746

Worcester, MA $50,741

Minneapolis, MN $50,591

Philadelphia, PA $50,524

Honolulu, HI $50,364

Saint Paul, MN $50,340

Vineland, NJ $50,330

Providence, RI $50,189

Chicago, IL $50,049

Bellingham, WA $49,991

Springfield, MA $49,952

Baltimore, MD $49,938

Chico, CA $49,816

Pittsfield, MA $49,686

Manchester, NH $49,594

Spokane, WA $49,381

Denver, CO $49,376

Albany, NY $49,148

Troy, NY $49,129

Nassau, NY $49,077

Schenectady, NY $49,027

Wilmington, DE $48,988

Burlington, VT $48,920

Salem, OR $48,901

Portland, ME $48,751

Yakima, WA $48,703

Rochester, MN $48,552

Reno, NV $48,528

Fresno, CA $48,528

Milwaukee, WI $48,485

Detroit, MI $48,436

Ann Arbor, MI $48,428

Allentown, PA $48,422

Colorado Springs, CO $48,339

Syracuse, NY $48,315

Carson City, NV $48,315

Houston, TX $48,247

Eugene, OR $48,223

Gary, IN $48,165

Springfield, OR $48,126

Bismarck, ND $48,116

Galveston, TX $48,083

Medford, OR $48,010

Fort Collins, CO $47,991

Concord, NH $47,966

Austin, TX $47,952

Mesa, AZ $47,850

Reading, PA $47,845

Phoenix, AZ $47,840

Dallas, TX $47,826

Saint Cloud, MN $47,779

Madison, WI $47,715

Utica, NY $47,584

Rochester, NY $47,506

Des Moines, IA $47,501

Raleigh, NC $47,497

Atlanta, GA $47,424

Battle Creek, MI $47,409

Salt Lake City, UT $47,395

Lancaster, PA $47,322

Harrisburg, PA $47,254

Kansas City, MO $47,206

Champaign, IL $47,196

Kansas City, KS $47,196

Fort Worth, TX $47,191

Columbus, OH $47,183

Boca Raton, FL $47,172

Pittsburgh, PA $47,153

Richmond, VA $47,133

Indianapolis, IN $47,124

Cleveland, OH $47,119

Las Vegas, NV $47,061

Cincinnati, OH $47,061

Petersburg, VA $46,988

Huntsville, AL $46,915

Lansing, MI $46,883

Lebanon, PA $46,877

Pueblo, CO $46,872

Appleton, WI $46,857

Buffalo, NY $46,838

Dayton, OH $46,823

Racine, WI $46,814

Charlotte, NC $46,809

Saint Louis, MO $46,794

York, PA $46,765

Elkhart, IN $46,765

Gastonia, NC $46,756

Billings, MT $46,744

Beaumont, TX $46,731

Lorain, OH $46,722

Benton Harbor, MI $46,712

Toledo, OH $46,702

Binghamton, NY $46,678

Rock Hill, SC $46,673

Rockford, IL $46,649

Springfield, IL $46,630

Elyria, OH $46,625

Fargo, ND $46,625

Flagstaff, AZ $46,591

Fort Lauderdale, FL $46,562

Duluth, MN $46,533

Miami, FL $46,533

Cheyenne, WY $46,499

Grand Forks, ND $46,499

Bangor, ME $46,392

Cedar Rapids, IA $46,339

Durham, NC $46,319

Louisville, KY $46,315

Grand Rapids, MI $46,305

Hialeah, FL $46,300

Casper, WY $46,233

Scranton, PA $46,174

New Orleans, LA $46,160

Virginia Beach, VA $46,155

Akron, OH $46,131

Peoria, IL $46,068

Sarasota, FL $46,058

Nashville, TN $46,024

Omaha, NE $46,024

Green Bay, WI $46,024

Baton Rouge, LA $46,000

Charleston, SC $45,990

Jamestown, NY $45,966

Davenport, IA $45,966

Tucson, AZ $45,942

Saint Petersburg, FL $45,913

Tampa, FL $45,903

Evansville, IN $45,874

Port Arthur, TX $45,874

Bradenton, FL $45,855

Santa Fe, NM $45,768

Orlando, FL $45,680

Clearwater, FL $45,666

Canton, OH $45,564

La Crosse, WI $45,564

Albuquerque, NM $45,535

Newport News, VA $45,530

High Point, NC $45,516

Ogden, UT $45,496

Corpus Christi, TX $45,458

Norfolk, VA $45,429

Laramie, WY $45,429

Rock Island, IL $45,400

Saginaw, MI $45,390

Jacksonville, FL $45,385

Salisbury, NC $45,375

Boise, ID $45,366

Moline, IL $45,341

Fort Myers, FL $45,327

Memphis, TN $45,317

Tulsa, OK $45,293

Waterloo, IA $45,264

Spartanburg, SC $45,215

Lincoln, NE $45,191

Fort Wayne, IN $45,182

Provo, UT $45,177

Cedar Falls, IA $45,119

San Antonio, TX $45,099

Greensboro, NC $45,080

South Bend, IN $45,075

Savannah, GA $45,022

Muskegon, MI $45,002

Birmingham, AL $44,998

Winston Salem, NC $44,974

Lake Charles, LA $44,857

Anderson, IN $44,847

Lexington, KY $44,833

Augusta, GA $44,818

Greenville, SC $44,818

Lima, OH $44,780

Wichita, KS $44,775

Tuscaloosa, AL $44,775

Columbia, SC $44,731

Springfield, OH $44,721

Asheville, NC $44,644

Bloomington, IN $44,610

Knoxville, TN $44,436

Shreveport, LA $44,431

Wilmington, NC $44,368

Roanoke, VA $44,368

Topeka, KS $44,281

Frankfort, KY $44,275

Oklahoma City, OK $44,242

Chillicothe, OH $44,223

Longview, TX $44,218

Melbourne, FL $44,213

Sioux Falls, SD $44,135

Mobile, AL $44,131

Terre Haute, IN $44,111

Altoona, PA $44,082

Amarillo, TX $44,048

Killeen, TX $44,034

Fayetteville, AR $43,995

Chattanooga, TN $43,980

Sioux City, IA $43,937

Idaho Falls, ID $43,927

Lynchburg, VA $43,888

Gainesville, FL $43,825

Portsmouth, OH $43,801

Little Rock, AR $43,792

Lafayette, LA $43,772

Youngstown, OH $43,772

Daytona Beach, FL $43,743

Clarksville, TN $43,738

Pensacola, FL $43,733

Temple, TX $43,730

Hopkinsville, KY $43,588

Erie, PA $43,578

Florence, SC $43,559

Charleston, WV $43,482

Great Falls, MT $43,457

Macon, GA $43,390

Tallahassee, FL $43,385

Fayetteville, NC $43,375

Waco, TX $43,365

Helena, MT $43,331

Pine Bluff, AR $43,313

Vincennes, IN $43,254

Lubbock, TX $43,235

Alamogordo, NM $43,206

Twin Falls, ID $43,162

Rapid City, SD $43,147

Jackson, MS $43,060

Huntington, WV $43,057

Greenville, MS $43,055

Parkersburg, WV $43,006

Montgomery, AL $42,997

Wichita Falls, TX $42,949

Springfield, MO $42,949

Biloxi, MS $42,925

Monroe, LA $42,876

Johnstown, PA $42,842

Sumter, SC $42,823

Columbus, GA $42,818

Pascagoula, MS $42,726

Abilene, TX $42,726

Kingsport, TN $42,600

Albany, GA $42,600

Gulfport, MS $42,586

Alexandria, LA $42,426

Fort Smith, AR $42,305

El Paso, TX $42,174

Las Cruces, NM $41,956

Harlingen, TX $41,833

Pocatello, ID $41,825

Florence, AL $41,762

Brownsville, TX $41,753

Mcallen, TX $41,651

Dothan, AL $41,583

Columbus, MS $41,295

Altus, OK $41,070

Lawton, OK $40,978

Pierre, SD $40,803

What Skills Can Increase a Financial Aid 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 a Financial Aid 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	$55,212	14%
Leadership	$51,821	7%
Analysis	$50,853	5%
Planning	$50,853	5%
Critical Thinking	$49,884	3%
Needs Analysis	$49,884	3%

Get Latest Data

Financial Aid Counselor Salary by Industry: Top Paying Sectors

For Financial Aid Counselor roles, the industry you choose can impact your earning potential by as much as 10% (the gap between the highest and lowest paying industries). Data shows that the highest-paying industry, Government, offers compensation 5% above the average. Conversely, Financial Aid Counselor positions in Nonprofit typically offer lower base pay, as this sector often view Financial Aid Counselor as a support function rather than a direct revenue driver.

The top paying industry for a Financial Aid Counselor

Industry Sector	Average Annual Salary	Average Hourly Rate	Pay vs.Avg
Government	$50,853	$24.0	5%

How Education impacts a Financial Aid Counselor's Salary?

Your level of education can impact your salary potential. While many Financial Aid 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 a Financial Aid Counselor with a Associate's Degree is between $46,077 and $49,339).

Financial Aid Counselor Salaries by Degree Level

Typical Education for Financial Aid Counselor

No Diploma 0.8%

High School 11.0%

Associates 9.5%

Bachelors 60.5%

Masters 18.1%

Doctorate 0.2%

view as table

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%

view as graph

Financial Aid Counselor Salary: Hourly Rate, Weekly Pay, and Monthly Pay

Understanding how a Financial Aid 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 August 01, 2026

$43,565

Average $48,431/year

$52,414

$3,630

Average $4,036/month

$4,368

$838

Average $931/week

$1,008

$21

Average $23/hour

$25

	Annual Salary	Monthly Pay	Weekly Pay	Hourly Wage
75th Percentile	$52,414	$4,368	$1,008	$25
Average	$48,431	$4,036	$931	$23
25th Percentile	$43,565	$3,630	$838	$21

Salaries of jobs related to Financial Aid Counselor

Salary Trends for Financial Aid Counselor

Salaries for a Financial Aid Counselor can change over time, reflecting shifts in market demand and the overall economy. The median salary decreased from $52,086 in 2023 to around $50,990 in 2025, reflecting changes in demand, location, experience, and the wider economy. For a detailed analysis of Financial Aid Counselor salary trends, .

Average Annual Salary of Financial Aid Counselor Over Time

2022

$???

2023

$52,086

2024

$51,626

2025

$50,990

2026

$???

2027

$???

Year	Average Annual Salary
2022	View More
2023	$52,086
2024	$51,626
2025	$50,990
2026	View More
2027	View More

Most common benefits for Financial Aid Counselor

Social Security

401(k)

Disability

Healthcare

Pension

Time Off (days)

For Employers

If your compensation planning software is too rigid to deploy winning incentive strategies, it’s time to find an adaptable solution.

Compensation Planning

Edu., Gov't. & Nonprofit

the United States

Find Your Next Financial Aid Counselor Job

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

Continuum Medical Staffing

Columbus, OH

Physician Psychiatry

Continuum Medical Staffing | Columbus, OH

PSYCHIATRIST- CHILD/ADOLESCENT COLUMBUS OHIO We are seeking a Board-Certified Child/ Adolescent Psychiatrist for a permanent position in Columbus Ohio No V... more

3 Days Ago
MD Staff, LLC

Columbus, OH

Physician Neurology Ohio Locum Tenens Locums Physician

MD Staff, LLC | Columbus, OH

Neurologist Locum Tenens Opportunity Near Columbus, OH. We are excited to offer a rewarding locum tenens opportunity for a Board Certified or Board Eligibl... more

3 Days Ago
Confidential

Columbus, OH

Associate Vice President Brand&External Communications

Confidential | Columbus, OH

Associate Vice President, Brand & External Communications. About the Company. National consulting & advisory services firm focused on the healthcare indust... more

14 Days Ago
C.R. England

Columbus, OH

Local CDL

C.R. England | Columbus, OH

Job Description. C.R. England is Now Urgently Hiring Local Dedicated CDL-A Truck Drivers. \n. Dedicated Local Fleet - Home Daily - Competitive Pay* - Full ... more

15 Days Ago
Confidential

Columbus, OH

Vice President Credit Risk Strategy&Data Science

Confidential | Columbus, OH

Vice President, Credit Risk Strategy & Data Science. About the Company. High-growth SMB lender building the next generation of credit decisioning. Industry... more

15 Days Ago
KreilKamp Trucking

Columbus, OH

Regional Truck Driver Company

KreilKamp Trucking | Columbus, OH

Regional CDL A Drivers | NEW Grads Welcome | Earn $70,000+ Annually. We're proud to be a 4th generation family truck line, started in 1935, but even proude... more

15 Days Ago

For Employees

Get a Salary Increase

Analyze the market and your qualifications to negotiate your salary with confidence.

Search Job Openings

Search thousands of open positions to find your next opportunity.

For Employers

Adjust Employee Salary

Individualize employee pay based on unique job requirements and personal qualifications.

Price My Industry Jobs

Get the latest market price for benchmark jobs and jobs in your industry.

FAQ about Financial Aid Counselor

1. What industry pays the highest salary for Financial Aid Counselor?

The Government industry offers the highest average compensation for Financial Aid Counselor roles, with salaries approximately 5% above the market median.

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.

Are you an HR manager or compensation specialist?

Salary.com's CompAnalyst platform offers:

Detailed skills and competency reports for specific positions
Job and employee pricing reports
Compensation data tools, salary structures, surveys and benchmarks.

Learn about