Middle School Guidance Counselor Salary in the United States

How much does a Middle School Guidance Counselor make in the United States?

As of August 01, 2026, the average salary for a Middle School Guidance Counselor in the United States is $61,985 per year, which breaks down to an hourly rate of $30.

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

  • Top Earners (90th percentile): $79,068
  • Majority Range (25th-75th percentile): $54,680 to $70,927
  • Entry-Level (10th percentile): $48,029
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View as table View as graph 25% $54,680 10% $48,029 90% $79,068 75% $70,927 $61,985 50%(Median) Didn’t find job title? Click

Middle School Guidance Counselor Salaries by Percentile

Annual
Salary
Monthly
Pay
Weekly
Pay
Hourly
Wage
75th Percentile $70,927 $5,911 $1,364 $34
Average $61,985 $5,165 $1,192 $30
25th Percentile $54,680 $4,557 $1,052 $26
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Key Factors That Influence Middle School Guidance Counselor Salaries

A Middle School 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.

Top Paying Cities for Middle School 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: $78,181
  • San Francisco: $77,325
  • Oakland: $75,696

What Skills Can Increase a Middle School Guidance Counselor's Salary?

Demanded Skills for the Role:

  • Planning (Mentioned in 6.84% 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.
  • Group Therapy (Mentioned in 2.71% Job Postings): Group psychotherapy or group therapy is a form of psychotherapy in which one or more therapists treat a small group of clients together as a group. The term can legitimately refer to any form of psychotherapy when delivered in a group format, including cognitive behavioural therapy or interpersonal therapy, but it is usually applied to psychodynamic group therapy where the group context and group process is explicitly utilised as a mechanism of change by developing, exploring and examining interpersonal relationships within the group. The broader concept of group therapy can be taken to include any helping process that takes place in a group, including support groups, skills training groups (such as anger management, mindfulness, relaxation training or social skills training), and psychoeducation groups. The differences between psychodynamic groups, activity groups, support groups, problem-solving and psycoeducational groups have been discussed by psychiatrist Charles Montgomery. Other, more specialised forms of group therapy would include non-verbal expressive therapies such as art therapy, dance therapy, or music therapy.
  • Psychiatric (Mentioned in 2.08% Job Postings): Periodically and systematically assessing the client's dietary intake and nutritional status to ensure the effectiveness of nutrition intervention.
See More Skills
Skills Demand Percentage
Planning 6.84%
Group Therapy 2.71%
Psychiatric 2.08%
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 Middle School Guidance Counselor's salary.
  • Patient Care: Can increase your salary by up to 6%.
  • Psychiatric: Can increase your salary by up to 6%.
  • Integrity: Can increase your salary by up to 6%.
Skill Salary Salary % Increase
Patient Care
$65,704
6%
Psychiatric
$65,704
6%
Integrity
$65,704
6%
Clinical Supervision
$65,084
5%
Interviewing
$64,464
4%
Clinical Services
$64,464
4%
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Middle School Guidance Counselor Salary by Industry: Top Paying Sectors

For Middle School Guidance Counselor roles, the industry you choose can impact your earning potential by as much as 30% (the gap between the highest and lowest paying industries). Data shows that the highest-paying industry, Government, offers compensation 12% above the average. Conversely, Middle School Guidance Counselor positions in Nonprofit typically offer lower base pay, as this sector often view Middle School Guidance Counselor as a support function rather than a direct revenue driver.

The top paying industries for a Middle School Guidance Counselor

Industry Sector Average Annual Salary Average Hourly Rate Pay vs.Avg
Government$69,733$34.012%
Education$65,084$31.05%

How Education impacts a Middle School Guidance Counselor's Salary?

Your level of education can impact your salary potential. While many Middle School Guidance Counselors enter the field with a Master's Degree or MBA 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 Middle School Guidance Counselor with a Master's Degree or MBA is between $61,499 and $66,526).

Middle School Guidance Counselor Salaries by Degree Level

Typical Education for Middle School Guidance Counselor
Degree Level % of user with this level of education
No Diploma 0.3%
High School 1.0%
Associates 0.3%
Bachelors 11.9%
Masters 82.5%
Doctorate 3.8%
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Middle School Guidance Counselor Salary: Hourly Rate, Weekly Pay, and Monthly Pay

Understanding how a Middle School 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 August 01, 2026

Salary Trends for Middle School Guidance Counselor

Salaries for a Middle School Guidance Counselor can change over time, reflecting shifts in market demand and the overall economy. The median salary decreased from $62,262 in 2023 to around $62,174 in 2025, reflecting changes in demand, location, experience, and the wider economy. For a detailed analysis of Middle School Guidance Counselor salary trends, .

Average Annual Salary of Middle School Guidance Counselor Over Time

2022
$???
2023
$62,262
2024
$62,580
2025
$62,174
2026
$???
2027
$???
Year Average Annual Salary
2022
View More
2023 $62,262
2024 $62,580
2025 $62,174
2026
View More
2027
View More

Most common benefits for Middle School Guidance Counselor

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

Here are companies hiring for Middle School Guidance Counselor and their salaries, click below for more details.

Find Your Next Middle School Guidance Counselor Job

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

United States
  • Continuum Medical Staffing

    Columbus, OH

    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

    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

    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

    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

    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

    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

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FAQ about Middle School Guidance Counselor

1. What industry pays the highest salary for Middle School Guidance Counselor?

The Government industry offers the highest average compensation for Middle School Guidance Counselor roles, with salaries approximately 12% 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.)

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