Best cities for a college counselor
The best cities for college counselors are Oakland, CA, Boston, MA, and Cleveland, OH, based on factors like average salary and job availability per capita. Jobs and pay for college counselors vary across the country, but we've determined the ten best cities for college counselors in the U.S.
Whether you're starting your career as a college counselor or considering a move, this list of the best cities for college counselors to live in will help you decide. These aren't just the best-paying cities for college counselors. We also consider how easy it is to find work as a college counselor. While the absolute best city for college counselors is Oakland, CA, there are plenty of other great places to consider.
Keep reading to learn more about the best cities for college counselors in 2024.
If you're looking for a college counselor job, here are five companies hiring now:
10 best cities for college counselors in 2026
1. Oakland, CA
Total college counselor jobs: 1 Average annual salary: $62,592 Lowest 10 percent warn: $42,000 Highest 10 percent earn: $91,000 Location quotient: 7.03 2. Boston, MA
Total college counselor jobs: 2 Average annual salary: $57,361 Lowest 10 percent warn: $41,000 Highest 10 percent earn: $80,000 Location quotient: 1.88 3. Cleveland, OH
Total college counselor jobs: 0 Average annual salary: $47,754 Lowest 10 percent warn: $34,000 Highest 10 percent earn: $66,000 Location quotient: 0.00 4. Los Angeles, CA
Total college counselor jobs: 14 Average annual salary: $59,050 Lowest 10 percent warn: $42,000 Highest 10 percent earn: $82,000 Location quotient: 10.97 5. Philadelphia, PA
Total college counselor jobs: 0 Average annual salary: $47,736 Lowest 10 percent warn: $33,000 Highest 10 percent earn: $68,000 Location quotient: 0.00 6. Fremont, CA
Total college counselor jobs: 0 Average annual salary: $62,559 Lowest 10 percent warn: $42,000 Highest 10 percent earn: $91,000 Location quotient: 0.00 7. Toledo, OH
Total college counselor jobs: 0 Average annual salary: $46,697 Lowest 10 percent warn: $34,000 Highest 10 percent earn: $63,000 Location quotient: 0.00 8. Stockton, CA
Total college counselor jobs: 0 Average annual salary: $62,075 Lowest 10 percent warn: $42,000 Highest 10 percent earn: $90,000 Location quotient: 0.00 9. San Francisco, CA
Total college counselor jobs: 0 Average annual salary: $62,679 Lowest 10 percent warn: $43,000 Highest 10 percent earn: $91,000 Location quotient: 0.00 10. Reno, NV
Total college counselor jobs: 0 Average annual salary: $50,630 Lowest 10 percent warn: $35,000 Highest 10 percent earn: $73,000 Location quotient: 0.00
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Best cities for college counselors
- Oakland, CA
- Boston, MA
- Cleveland, OH
- Los Angeles, CA
- Philadelphia, PA
- Fremont, CA
- Toledo, OH
- Stockton, CA
- San Francisco, CA
- Reno, NV
- (1 college counselor jobs)
- (2 college counselor jobs)
- (0 college counselor jobs)
- (14 college counselor jobs)
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Detailed list of the best cities for a college counselor
| Rank | City | Average salary | Lowest 10% Earn | Population | Job count |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Oakland, CA | $62,592 | $42,000 | 420,005 | 1 |
| 2 | Boston, MA | $57,361 | $41,000 | 673,184 | 2 |
| 3 | Cleveland, OH | $47,754 | $34,000 | 385,809 | - |
| 4 | Los Angeles, CA | $59,050 | $42,000 | 3,976,322 | 14 |
| 5 | Philadelphia, PA | $47,736 | $33,000 | 1,567,872 | - |
| 6 | Fremont, CA | $62,559 | $42,000 | 233,136 | - |
| 7 | Toledo, OH | $46,697 | $34,000 | 278,508 | - |
| 8 | Stockton, CA | $62,075 | $42,000 | 307,072 | - |
| 9 | San Francisco, CA | $62,679 | $43,000 | 870,887 | - |
| 10 | Reno, NV | $50,630 | $35,000 | 245,255 | - |
| 11 | San Jose, CA | $62,572 | $43,000 | 1,025,350 | 1 |
| 12 | Sacramento, CA | $61,802 | $42,000 | 495,234 | - |
| 13 | Fresno, CA | $61,516 | $42,000 | 522,053 | - |
| 14 | Las Vegas, NV | $49,119 | $34,000 | 632,912 | - |
| 15 | Columbus, OH | $45,511 | $33,000 | 860,090 | - |
| 16 | North Las Vegas, NV | $49,021 | $34,000 | 238,702 | - |
| 17 | Henderson, NV | $48,960 | $34,000 | 292,969 | - |
| 18 | Bakersfield, CA | $60,550 | $42,000 | 376,380 | - |
| 19 | El Paso, TX | $47,580 | $34,000 | 683,080 | - |
| 20 | Long Beach, CA | $58,667 | $41,000 | 470,130 | - |
| 21 | New York, NY | $54,997 | $38,000 | 8,537,673 | 26 |
| 22 | Irvine, CA | $58,336 | $41,000 | 266,122 | 1 |
| 23 | Anaheim, CA | $58,567 | $41,000 | 351,043 | - |
| 24 | Brookhaven, NY | $55,306 | $38,000 | 486,040 | - |
| 25 | Islip, NY | $55,278 | $38,000 | 335,543 | - |
| 26 | Santa Ana, CA | $58,454 | $41,000 | 334,217 | - |
| 27 | Hempstead, NY | $55,143 | $38,000 | 759,757 | - |
| 28 | Riverside, CA | $58,342 | $41,000 | 324,722 | - |
| 29 | San Diego, CA | $57,371 | $41,000 | 1,406,630 | 2 |
| 30 | Oyster Bay, NY | $55,135 | $38,000 | 293,214 | - |
| 31 | Lubbock, TX | $46,563 | $33,000 | 252,506 | - |
| 32 | Austin, TX | $46,045 | $33,000 | 947,890 | 2 |
| 33 | Cincinnati, OH | $44,150 | $32,000 | 298,800 | - |
| 34 | San Antonio, TX | $46,134 | $33,000 | 1,492,510 | - |
| 35 | Wichita, KS | $45,399 | $34,000 | 389,902 | - |
| 36 | Seattle, WA | $52,109 | $38,000 | 704,352 | - |
| 37 | Fort Worth, TX | $45,831 | $33,000 | 854,113 | - |
| 38 | Houston, TX | $45,621 | $33,000 | 2,303,482 | 7 |
| 39 | Chula Vista, CA | $57,267 | $41,000 | 267,172 | - |
| 40 | Arlington, TX | $45,798 | $33,000 | 392,772 | - |
| 41 | Laredo, TX | $45,790 | $33,000 | 257,156 | - |
| 42 | Albuquerque, NM | $45,080 | $32,000 | 559,277 | 3 |
| 43 | Irving, TX | $45,761 | $33,000 | 238,289 | - |
| 44 | Pittsburgh, PA | $43,974 | $31,000 | 303,625 | 2 |
| 45 | Dallas, TX | $45,745 | $33,000 | 1,317,929 | - |
| 46 | Garland, TX | $45,703 | $33,000 | 234,943 | - |
| 47 | Plano, TX | $45,700 | $33,000 | 286,057 | - |
| 48 | Jersey City, NJ | $52,548 | $36,000 | 264,152 | - |
| 49 | Milwaukee, WI | $43,284 | $32,000 | 595,047 | 2 |
| 50 | Newark, NJ | $52,497 | $36,000 | 281,764 | - |
Highest paying cities for college counselors
| Rank | City | Avg. college counselor salary |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Oakland, CA | $62,592 |
| 2 | Boston, MA | $57,361 |
| 3 | New York, NY | $54,997 |
| 4 | Hoboken, NJ | $52,555 |
| 5 | San Antonio, TX | $46,134 |
| 6 | Springfield, VA | $45,112 |
| 7 | Pittsburgh, PA | $43,974 |
| 8 | Milwaukee, WI | $43,284 |
| 9 | Mundelein, IL | $42,060 |
| 10 | Salt Lake City, UT | $40,320 |
| 11 | New Orleans, LA | $39,202 |
| 12 | Phoenix, AZ | $38,287 |
| 13 | Chapel Hill, NC | $37,309 |
| 14 | Bowling Green, KY | $33,896 |
| 15 | Saint Louis, MO | $33,516 |
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Updated January 8, 2025