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College counselor salary
Average college counselor salary
$45,991
Average College Counselor Salary
The average salary for a College Counselor in the United States is approximately $45,991 per year, which translates to about $22 per hour. Salaries can vary based on several factors including geographic location, years of experience, and the type of educational institution. For instance, counselors working in larger universities or those with extensive experience may earn significantly more.
Factors Influencing Salary
- Experience Level: Entry-level counselors may start at lower salaries, while those with years of experience can see substantial increases.
- Location: Salaries often differ by state, with urban areas typically offering higher compensation due to the cost of living.
- Type of Institution: Counselors in private colleges or specialized institutions may earn more compared to those in public colleges.
Salary Estimates by State
When considering where to work, examine state-specific salary data. States like California and New York often report higher average salaries for college counselors, reflecting both demand and living costs. This information can be crucial for job seekers aiming to maximize their earning potential in this rewarding field.
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Where can a College Counselor earn more?
College counselor salaries by experience level
College counselor salary estimates from across the web
Average college counselor salary by state
The average college counselor salary in California, Massachusetts, and New York are the highest in the U.S. The lowest average college counselor salary states are Alabama, Oklahoma, and Kentucky.
- State view
- County view
Highest paying states for college counselors
| Rank | State | Avg. salary | Hourly rate |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | New York | $54,855 | $26.37 |
| 2 | Connecticut | $53,323 | $25.64 |
| 3 | California | $59,835 | $28.77 |
| 4 | District of Columbia | $57,938 | $27.85 |
| 5 | Pennsylvania | $47,072 | $22.63 |
| 6 | Washington | $52,003 | $25.00 |
| 7 | New Jersey | $52,430 | $25.21 |
| 8 | Massachusetts | $57,413 | $27.60 |
| 9 | Nevada | $49,248 | $23.68 |
| 10 | Rhode Island | $50,508 | $24.28 |
| 11 | Delaware | $46,893 | $22.54 |
| 12 | Maryland | $49,106 | $23.61 |
| 13 | Oregon | $46,842 | $22.52 |
| 14 | New Mexico | $45,076 | $21.67 |
| 15 | Vermont | $47,065 | $22.63 |
| 16 | Ohio | $46,137 | $22.18 |
| 17 | Texas | $45,842 | $22.04 |
| 18 | Kansas | $45,286 | $21.77 |
| 19 | South Carolina | $42,977 | $20.66 |
| 20 | New Hampshire | $43,979 | $21.14 |
| 21 | Alaska | $41,626 | $20.01 |
| 22 | Wisconsin | $43,321 | $20.83 |
| 23 | Michigan | $41,840 | $20.12 |
| 24 | Hawaii | $45,785 | $22.01 |
| 25 | Wyoming | $39,021 | $18.76 |
| 26 | Illinois | $41,587 | $19.99 |
| 27 | Iowa | $40,579 | $19.51 |
| 28 | Virginia | $43,861 | $21.09 |
| 29 | Louisiana | $39,319 | $18.90 |
| 30 | North Dakota | $39,512 | $19.00 |
| 31 | Minnesota | $41,197 | $19.81 |
| 32 | Arizona | $38,214 | $18.37 |
| 33 | Tennessee | $38,263 | $18.40 |
| 34 | Colorado | $39,173 | $18.83 |
| 35 | Arkansas | $40,280 | $19.37 |
| 36 | Montana | $37,056 | $17.82 |
| 37 | West Virginia | $38,636 | $18.57 |
| 38 | Maine | $37,631 | $18.09 |
| 39 | Utah | $40,554 | $19.50 |
| 40 | Mississippi | $38,395 | $18.46 |
| 41 | Nebraska | $38,921 | $18.71 |
| 42 | Florida | $34,835 | $16.75 |
| 43 | Georgia | $36,017 | $17.32 |
| 44 | Indiana | $37,214 | $17.89 |
| 45 | North Carolina | $36,984 | $17.78 |
| 46 | Kentucky | $34,099 | $16.39 |
| 47 | Idaho | $32,670 | $15.71 |
| 48 | Alabama | $34,641 | $16.65 |
| 49 | Oklahoma | $34,326 | $16.50 |
| 50 | Missouri | $33,357 | $16.04 |
| 51 | South Dakota | $29,374 | $14.12 |
Highest paying cities for college counselors
The highest-paying cities for college counselors are Oakland, CA, Boston, MA, and New York, NY.
| Rank | City | Avg. salary | Hourly rate |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Oakland, CA | $62,592 | $30.09 |
| 2 | Boston, MA | $57,361 | $27.58 |
| 3 | New York, NY | $54,997 | $26.44 |
| 4 | Hoboken, NJ | $52,555 | $25.27 |
| 5 | San Antonio, TX | $46,134 | $22.18 |
| 6 | Springfield, VA | $45,112 | $21.69 |
| 7 | Pittsburgh, PA | $43,974 | $21.14 |
| 8 | Milwaukee, WI | $43,284 | $20.81 |
| 9 | Mundelein, IL | $42,060 | $20.22 |
| 10 | Salt Lake City, UT | $40,320 | $19.38 |
| 11 | New Orleans, LA | $39,202 | $18.85 |
| 12 | Phoenix, AZ | $38,287 | $18.41 |
| 13 | Chapel Hill, NC | $37,309 | $17.94 |
| 14 | Bowling Green, KY | $33,896 | $16.30 |
| 15 | Saint Louis, MO | $33,516 | $16.11 |
College counselor salary details
A college counselor's salary ranges from $33,000 a year at the 10th percentile to $62,000 at the 90th percentile.
What is a college counselor's salary?
| Percentile | Annual salary | Monthly salary | Hourly rate |
|---|---|---|---|
| 90th Percentile | $62,000 | $5,167 | $30 |
| 75th Percentile | $53,000 | $4,417 | $25 |
| Average | $45,991 | $3,833 | $22 |
| 25th Percentile | $39,000 | $3,250 | $19 |
| 10th Percentile | $33,000 | $2,750 | $16 |
Highest paying college counselor jobs
The highest paying types of college counselors are lead counselor, school counselor, and guidance counselor.
| Job title | Annual salary | Monthly salary | Hourly rate | Job openings |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Admissions Representative | $38,193 | $3,183 | $18.36 | 16,883 |
| Job Coach | $37,372 | $3,114 | $17.97 | 49,874 |
| Admissions Coordinator | $38,117 | $3,176 | $18.33 | 35,711 |
| Peer Mentor | $28,416 | $2,368 | $13.66 | 1,199 |
| Counselor Internship | $45,500 | $3,792 | $21.88 | 132,694 |
| School Counseling Internship | $38,525 | $3,210 | $18.52 | 69,348 |
Top companies hiring college counselors now:
Which companies pay college counselors the most?
College counselor salaries at California College of the Arts and Kenyon College are the highest-paying according to our most recent salary estimates. In addition, the average college counselor salary at companies like Columbia University in the City of New York and Democracy Prep Public Schools are highly competitive.
| Rank | Company | Average salary | Hourly rate |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | California College of the Arts | $75,351 | $36.23 |
| 2 | Kenyon College | $63,060 | $30.32 |
| 3 | Columbia University in the City of New York | $57,656 | $27.72 |
| 4 | Democracy Prep Public Schools | $56,334 | $27.08 |
| 5 | KIPP Austin Public Schools | $55,653 | $26.76 |
| 6 | Aspire Public Schools | $55,387 | $26.63 |
| 7 | YES Prep Public Schools | $54,657 | $26.28 |
| 8 | Idyllwild Arts | $54,204 | $26.06 |
| 9 | Arizona College | $53,914 | $25.92 |
| 10 | KIPP DC | $53,337 | $25.64 |
| 11 | Long Island Business Institute | $50,688 | $24.37 |
| 12 | KIPP New Orleans Schools | $50,673 | $24.36 |
| 13 | Camino Nuevo Charter Academy | $50,214 | $24.14 |
| 14 | The Art Institute Of Houston | $48,032 | $23.09 |
| 15 | IDEA Public Schools | $47,673 | $22.92 |
| 16 | Mayo Clinic | $47,392 | $22.78 |
| 17 | Sunnyside Unified School District | $46,619 | $22.41 |
| 18 | Pace Industries | $46,176 | $22.20 |
| 19 | St. Clare Catholic School | $45,735 | $21.99 |
| 20 | Central College | $45,500 | $21.88 |
Wage gap by gender, race and education
College counselor salary trends
The average college counselor salary has risen by $3,158 over the last ten years. In 2014, the average college counselor earned $42,833 annually, but today, they earn $45,991 a year. That works out to a 7% change in pay for college counselors over the last decade.
Compare college counselor salaries for cities or states with the national average over time.
Average college counselor salary over time
Compare college counselor salaries for individual cities or states with the national average.
College counselor salary by year
| Year | Avg. salary | Hourly rate | % Change |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2026 | $46,000 | $22.11 | +1.9% |
| 2025 | $45,100 | $21.70 | +1.3% |
| 2024 | $44,600 | $21.42 | +1.6% |
| 2023 | $43,800 | $21.08 | +1.5% |
| 2022 | $43,200 | $20.76 | +1.6% |
Recently added college counselor salaries
| Company | Job | Location | Date added | Salary |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Yes Prep Schools | Bilingual College Counselor-YES Prep Public Schools Secondary) | Houston, TX | 06/28/2025 | $62,000 |
| Dreams Retail | [Immediate ] College Counselor | Fine, NY | 06/27/2025 | $70,000 |
| Conroe Independent School District (Tx | Counselor/College | Conroe, TX | 06/25/2025 | $70,532 |
| Fresno State | College Counselor | Fresno, CA | 06/25/2025 | $66,480 |
| CSU Careers | College Counselor | Fresno, CA | 06/24/2025 | $66,480 |
| Invictus Academy of Richmond | College Access Counselor | El Cerrito, CA | 06/23/2025 | $65,097 |
| Uplift Education | Rtc-College Counselor: Uplift Summit High) | Nome, TX | 06/20/2025 | $59,000 |
| Uncommon Schools | College Counselor | Camden, NJ | 06/16/2025 | $56,000 |
| North Star Academy Charter School | College Counselor | Newark, NJ | 06/15/2025 | $60,000 |
| Camden Prep | College Counselor | Camden, NJ | 06/15/2025 | $56,000 |
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