Research Summary. Extensive research by the Zippia data science team has revealed the latest trends in camp counselor salaries across the United States for 2026:
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Mississippi boasts the highest average camp counselor salary at $35,588
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Utah has the lowest average camp counselor salary at $19,224
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The national average salary for camp counselors stands at $24,340
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On average, camp counselors earn $11.70 per hour nationwide
For further details on our methodology, click here.
Background
Consistently, salary ranks as the most crucial factor for job seekers across all demographics. Many individuals ask, “How much do camp counselors earn in my area?” While salary expectations can vary significantly based on location and individual circumstances, comprehensive data on average salaries for camp counselors by state, segmented by experience level, provides valuable insights. While specific cities may differ slightly from state averages, these figures serve as a solid benchmark for prospective camp counselors.
In 2026, Mississippi remains the state with the highest salary for camp counselors.
Here’s a quick overview of the top ten states for camp counselor salaries:
Now, let’s explore how these salaries rank across all states.
Highest-Paid Camp Counselors By State
| Rank | State | Average Camp Counselor Salary | 10th Percentile | 90th Percentile |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Mississippi | $35,588 | $25,000 | $49,000 |
| 2 | Nebraska | $35,526 | $25,000 | $48,000 |
| 3 | Maine | $32,558 | $23,000 | $45,000 |
| 4 | Wyoming | $31,749 | $22,000 | $43,000 |
| 5 | West Virginia | $31,084 | $21,000 | $44,000 |
| 6 | Kentucky | $30,999 | $22,000 | $43,000 |
| 7 | North Dakota | $30,832 | $22,000 | $41,000 |
| 8 | Massachusetts | $28,863 | $19,000 | $41,000 |
| 9 | Oregon | $28,548 | $19,000 | $41,000 |
| 10 | Vermont | $28,056 | $19,000 | $39,000 |
| 11 | Kansas | $27,386 | $19,000 | $37,000 |
| 12 | California | $27,326 | $18,000 | $40,000 |
| 13 | Louisiana | $27,002 | $19,000 | $37,000 |
| 14 | Colorado | $26,947 | $19,000 | $37,000 |
| 15 | South Dakota | $26,865 | $19,000 | $36,000 |
| 16 | Rhode Island | $26,797 | $18,000 | $39,000 |
| 17 | New Hampshire | $26,530 | $18,000 | $38,000 |
| 18 | New York | $26,368 | $17,000 | $39,000 |
| 19 | Hawaii | $25,859 | $19,000 | $34,000 |
| 20 | Maryland | $25,452 | $17,000 | $36,000 |
| 21 | Connecticut | $25,398 | $17,000 | $37,000 |
| 22 | Montana | $25,101 | $18,000 | $34,000 |
| 23 | Nevada | $24,832 | $17,000 | $36,000 |
| 24 | Idaho | $24,730 | $17,000 | $35,000 |
| 25 | Arizona | $24,723 | $17,000 | $35,000 |
| 26 | Oklahoma | $24,715 | $17,000 | $34,000 |
| 27 | Pennsylvania | $24,709 | $16,000 | $36,000 |
| 28 | Georgia | $24,644 | $17,000 | $34,000 |
| 29 | New Jersey | $24,504 | $16,000 | $36,000 |
| 30 | Virginia | $24,291 | $16,000 | $34,000 |
| 31 | Illinois | $24,058 | $17,000 | $33,000 |
| 32 | Florida | $23,877 | $17,000 | $33,000 |
| 33 | Minnesota | $23,593 | $17,000 | $32,000 |
| 34 | Texas | $23,335 | $16,000 | $32,000 |
| 35 | New Mexico | $23,137 | $16,000 | $32,000 |
| 36 | North Carolina | $23,070 | $16,000 | $32,000 |
| 37 | Washington | $22,593 | $15,000 | $32,000 |
| 38 | Arkansas | $22,505 | $16,000 | $31,000 |
| 39 | Alabama | $22,359 | $16,000 | $30,000 |
| 40 | Ohio | $21,790 | $15,000 | $30,000 |
| 41 | Tennessee | $21,476 | $15,000 | $29,000 |
| 42 | Wisconsin | $21,454 | $15,000 | $29,000 |
| 43 | South Carolina | $21,166 | $15,000 | $29,000 |
| 44 | Michigan | $21,161 | $14,000 | $29,000 |
| 45 | Missouri | $21,042 | $15,000 | $29,000 |
| 46 | Delaware | $21,034 | $14,000 | $30,000 |
| 47 | Iowa | $20,921 | $15,000 | $28,000 |
| 48 | Indiana | $20,742 | $14,000 | $28,000 |
| 49 | Alaska | $20,617 | $15,000 | $27,000 |
| 50 | Utah | $19,224 | $13,000 | $27,000 |
Methodology: Camp Counselor Salary By State
To understand camp counselor salaries by state, Zippia has compiled data from various sources, including the BLS, FLC, and OPM, along with actual salaries from job postings. The data science team calculates a weighted average from these inputs to determine the average pay for camp counselors by state.
We ranked each state based on average annual salary data for camp counselors, identifying the state with the highest salary as the leading location for camp counselor pay.
Camp Counselor Salary By State FAQs
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What is the highest-paid state for camp counselors?
The highest-paid state for camp counselors is Mississippi, with an average salary of $35,588 per year.
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What city pays camp counselors the most?
Omaha, NE offers the highest average salary for camp counselors at $35,605 per year.
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What is the worst state for camp counselors?
The state with the lowest average salary for camp counselors is Utah, at $19,224 per year.
Author
Chris Kolmar is a co-founder of Zippia and the editor-in-chief of the Zippia career advice blog. He has hired over 50 people in his career, been hired five times, and wants to help you land your next job. His research has been featured on the New York Times, Thrillist, VOX, The Atlantic, and a host of local news. More recently, he's been quoted on USA Today, BusinessInsider, and CNBC.
