Counselor Salary By State: Highest-Paid Counselors by State [2026]
Research Summary. After comprehensive analysis by the Zippia data science team, we have compiled the latest information on counselor salaries by state across the United States for 2026:
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California offers the highest average counselor salary at $41,223
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Wyoming has the lowest average counselor salary at $28,158
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The national average salary for counselors is $36,225
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The national hourly wage for counselors is $17.42
For more details, refer to the specific methodology.
Background
In surveys consistently reflecting the preferences of various demographics, salary remains the most significant factor for job seekers. Many individuals ask, “How much do counselors earn in my area?” While various factors influence individual salary expectations, robust data exists on average counselor salaries by state, categorized by seniority level. Though local variations may exist, these state averages provide a reliable estimate of potential earnings.
Currently, California ranks as the state with the highest average salary for counselors.
Top 10 States for Counselor Salaries
Highest-Paid Counselors By State
| Rank | State | Average Counselor Salary | 10th Percentile | 90th Percentile |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | California | $41,223 | $23,000 | $72,000 |
| 2 | Hawaii | $41,191 | $34,000 | $49,000 |
| 3 | New Jersey | $39,911 | $20,000 | $76,000 |
| 4 | Connecticut | $39,779 | $20,000 | $75,000 |
| 5 | New York | $39,761 | $20,000 | $76,000 |
| 6 | Rhode Island | $39,339 | $20,000 | $74,000 |
| 7 | Massachusetts | $38,507 | $20,000 | $72,000 |
| 8 | Pennsylvania | $38,462 | $20,000 | $73,000 |
| 9 | Delaware | $38,407 | $19,000 | $73,000 |
| 10 | Nevada | $37,700 | $21,000 | $65,000 |
| 11 | New Hampshire | $37,204 | $20,000 | $68,000 |
| 12 | Arizona | $37,039 | $21,000 | $63,000 |
| 13 | Maryland | $36,781 | $19,000 | $69,000 |
| 14 | Maine | $34,996 | $19,000 | $63,000 |
| 15 | Vermont | $34,941 | $19,000 | $62,000 |
| 16 | Virginia | $34,936 | $19,000 | $64,000 |
| 17 | Texas | $33,932 | $19,000 | $59,000 |
| 18 | New Mexico | $33,457 | $19,000 | $56,000 |
| 19 | Louisiana | $33,339 | $18,000 | $59,000 |
| 20 | Michigan | $32,785 | $19,000 | $55,000 |
| 21 | Florida | $32,706 | $18,000 | $59,000 |
| 22 | Oregon | $32,277 | $20,000 | $50,000 |
| 23 | West Virginia | $32,240 | $18,000 | $55,000 |
| 24 | Ohio | $32,006 | $18,000 | $54,000 |
| 25 | North Carolina | $31,905 | $18,000 | $54,000 |
| 26 | Mississippi | $31,692 | $18,000 | $54,000 |
| 27 | South Carolina | $31,355 | $18,000 | $53,000 |
| 28 | Alabama | $31,318 | $18,000 | $53,000 |
| 29 | Georgia | $31,221 | $18,000 | $52,000 |
| 30 | Washington | $30,946 | $20,000 | $46,000 |
| 31 | Wisconsin | $30,725 | $19,000 | $48,000 |
| 32 | Kentucky | $30,600 | $18,000 | $49,000 |
| 33 | Tennessee | $30,492 | $18,000 | $49,000 |
| 34 | North Dakota | $30,440 | $21,000 | $43,000 |
| 35 | Minnesota | $30,391 | $20,000 | $45,000 |
| 36 | Indiana | $30,319 | $18,000 | $48,000 |
| 37 | Idaho | $30,051 | $19,000 | $45,000 |
| 38 | Illinois | $30,047 | $19,000 | $47,000 |
| 39 | Arkansas | $30,000 | $18,000 | $48,000 |
| 40 | Oklahoma | $29,836 | $18,000 | $48,000 |
| 41 | Utah | $29,831 | $19,000 | $46,000 |
| 42 | Missouri | $29,325 | $18,000 | $45,000 |
| 43 | Alaska | $29,269 | $23,000 | $36,000 |
| 44 | Iowa | $29,158 | $19,000 | $44,000 |
| 45 | Kansas | $28,979 | $18,000 | $45,000 |
| 46 | Montana | $28,831 | $20,000 | $41,000 |
| 47 | South Dakota | $28,624 | $19,000 | $42,000 |
| 48 | Nebraska | $28,505 | $18,000 | $43,000 |
| 49 | Colorado | $28,397 | $18,000 | $43,000 |
| 50 | Wyoming | $28,158 | $18,000 | $41,000 |
Methodology: Counselor Salary By State
To provide a clear picture of counselor compensation across states, Zippia has compiled data from various reputable sources, including the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS), Federal Labor Commission (FLC), and Office of Personnel Management (OPM). We supplement this information with actual salary listings from job postings. The data science team then calculates a weighted average to derive the average counselor salary for each state.
We ranked states based on these average annual salary figures, identifying the state with the highest salary as the leader in counselor compensation.
Counselor Salary By State FAQs
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What is the highest-paid state for counselors?
The highest-paid state for counselors is California, with an average salary of $41,223 per year.
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What city pays counselors the most?
Currently, the specific city with the highest pay for counselors is not available, but major metropolitan areas typically offer the most competitive salaries.
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What is the worst state for counselors?
The state with the lowest average salary for counselors is Wyoming, with an average salary of $28,158 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.
