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Job opportunities vary from state to state, and community and social services careers are no different. Because we know how difficult it can be to know which states are the best when it comes to counselor jobs, we decided to crunch some numbers to bring you the best states for counselors. As counselors are popular in the U.S., we wanted to bring you a list of the best states for counselors. In case you are trying to decide where to start your career as a counselor, or if you are considering moving to a different city or state, we got you covered.
Psychology and social work are the most common majors for people with jobs as counselors. Pennsylvania is the best state, and Monterey is the city with the highest pay for counselors.

Here Are the Best States for Counselors In 2023:

1. Pennsylvania

Total Counselor Jobs:
924
Average Annual Salary:$38,462
Lowest 10 Percent Earn:$20,000
Highest 10 Percent Earn:$73,000
Location Quotient:
1.18

2. Connecticut

Total Counselor Jobs:
309
Average Annual Salary:$39,779
Lowest 10 Percent Earn:$20,000
Highest 10 Percent Earn:$75,000
Location Quotient:
1.38

3. Massachusetts

Total Counselor Jobs:
1,941
Average Annual Salary:$38,507
Lowest 10 Percent Earn:$20,000
Highest 10 Percent Earn:$72,000
Location Quotient:
3.13

4. New York

Total Counselor Jobs:
1,058
Average Annual Salary:$39,761
Lowest 10 Percent Earn:$20,000
Highest 10 Percent Earn:$76,000
Location Quotient:
1.22

5. Arizona

Total Counselor Jobs:
509
Average Annual Salary:$37,039
Lowest 10 Percent Earn:$21,000
Highest 10 Percent Earn:$63,000
Location Quotient:
1.29

Are There Any Particularly Good Places In The United States For Counselors To Find Work Opportunities?

Dr. Thomas Dearden Ph.D.

Assistant Professor of Sociology, Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University

Graduates will have the opportunity to shape the future and help solve problems. Numerous organizations are attempting to solve social issues and environmental challenges. The world needs, and subsequently, employment is available for passionate graduates ready to invest their energy into solving problems.Show more

6. New Jersey

Total Counselor Jobs:
509
Average Annual Salary:$39,911
Lowest 10 Percent Earn:$20,000
Highest 10 Percent Earn:$76,000
Location Quotient:
0.95

7. California

Total Counselor Jobs:
2,149
Average Annual Salary:$41,223
Lowest 10 Percent Earn:$23,000
Highest 10 Percent Earn:$72,000
Location Quotient:
1.09

8. Rhode Island

Total Counselor Jobs:
72
Average Annual Salary:$39,339
Lowest 10 Percent Earn:$20,000
Highest 10 Percent Earn:$74,000
Location Quotient:
0.88

9. Delaware

Total Counselor Jobs:
88
Average Annual Salary:$38,407
Lowest 10 Percent Earn:$19,000
Highest 10 Percent Earn:$73,000
Location Quotient:
1.04

10. Maine

Total Counselor Jobs:
103
Average Annual Salary:$34,996
Lowest 10 Percent Earn:$19,000
Highest 10 Percent Earn:$63,000
Location Quotient:
1.15

Counselor JobsNear Ashburn, VA

11. Nevada

Total Counselor Jobs:
109
Average Annual Salary:$37,700
Lowest 10 Percent Earn:$21,000
Highest 10 Percent Earn:$65,000
Location Quotient:
0.77

12. New Hampshire

Total Counselor Jobs:
89
Average Annual Salary:$37,204
Lowest 10 Percent Earn:$20,000
Highest 10 Percent Earn:$68,000
Location Quotient:
0.75

13. Hawaii

Total Counselor Jobs:
62
Average Annual Salary:$41,191
Lowest 10 Percent Earn:$34,000
Highest 10 Percent Earn:$49,000
Location Quotient:
1.1

14. Michigan

Total Counselor Jobs:
478
Average Annual Salary:$32,785
Lowest 10 Percent Earn:$19,000
Highest 10 Percent Earn:$55,000
Location Quotient:
0.91

15. Maryland

Total Counselor Jobs:
442
Average Annual Salary:$36,781
Lowest 10 Percent Earn:$19,000
Highest 10 Percent Earn:$69,000
Location Quotient:
1.03

16. Vermont

Total Counselor Jobs:
45
Average Annual Salary:$34,941
Lowest 10 Percent Earn:$19,000
Highest 10 Percent Earn:$62,000
Location Quotient:
0.87

17. Louisiana

Total Counselor Jobs:
209
Average Annual Salary:$33,339
Lowest 10 Percent Earn:$18,000
Highest 10 Percent Earn:$59,000
Location Quotient:
0.97

18. New Mexico

Total Counselor Jobs:
104
Average Annual Salary:$33,457
Lowest 10 Percent Earn:$19,000
Highest 10 Percent Earn:$56,000
Location Quotient:
0.79

19. Texas

Total Counselor Jobs:
951
Average Annual Salary:$33,932
Lowest 10 Percent Earn:$19,000
Highest 10 Percent Earn:$59,000
Location Quotient:
0.7

20. District of Columbia

Total Counselor Jobs:
121
Average Annual Salary:$36,273
Lowest 10 Percent Earn:$19,000
Highest 10 Percent Earn:$67,000
Location Quotient:
1.07

Counselor Jobs In The Top 10 States

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21. Florida

Total Counselor Jobs:
1,141
Average Annual Salary:$32,706
Lowest 10 Percent Earn:$18,000
Highest 10 Percent Earn:$59,000
Location Quotient:
1.08

22. Virginia

Total Counselor Jobs:
478
Average Annual Salary:$34,936
Lowest 10 Percent Earn:$19,000
Highest 10 Percent Earn:$64,000
Location Quotient:
0.75

23. Oregon

Total Counselor Jobs:
270
Average Annual Salary:$32,277
Lowest 10 Percent Earn:$20,000
Highest 10 Percent Earn:$50,000
Location Quotient:
0.97

24. Washington

Total Counselor Jobs:
592
Average Annual Salary:$30,946
Lowest 10 Percent Earn:$20,000
Highest 10 Percent Earn:$46,000
Location Quotient:
1.2

25. North Dakota

Total Counselor Jobs:
57
Average Annual Salary:$30,440
Lowest 10 Percent Earn:$21,000
Highest 10 Percent Earn:$43,000
Location Quotient:
0.91

26. South Carolina

Total Counselor Jobs:
301
Average Annual Salary:$31,355
Lowest 10 Percent Earn:$18,000
Highest 10 Percent Earn:$53,000
Location Quotient:
1

27. West Virginia

Total Counselor Jobs:
64
Average Annual Salary:$32,240
Lowest 10 Percent Earn:$18,000
Highest 10 Percent Earn:$55,000
Location Quotient:
0.62

28. Ohio

Total Counselor Jobs:
476
Average Annual Salary:$32,006
Lowest 10 Percent Earn:$18,000
Highest 10 Percent Earn:$54,000
Location Quotient:
0.69

29. Illinois

Total Counselor Jobs:
943
Average Annual Salary:$30,047
Lowest 10 Percent Earn:$19,000
Highest 10 Percent Earn:$47,000
Location Quotient:
1.17

30. Alaska

Total Counselor Jobs:
66
Average Annual Salary:$29,269
Lowest 10 Percent Earn:$23,000
Highest 10 Percent Earn:$36,000
Location Quotient:
1.17

31. Montana

Total Counselor Jobs:
87
Average Annual Salary:$28,831
Lowest 10 Percent Earn:$20,000
Highest 10 Percent Earn:$41,000
Location Quotient:
1.12

32. Minnesota

Total Counselor Jobs:
419
Average Annual Salary:$30,391
Lowest 10 Percent Earn:$20,000
Highest 10 Percent Earn:$45,000
Location Quotient:
0.94

33. Idaho

Total Counselor Jobs:
110
Average Annual Salary:$30,051
Lowest 10 Percent Earn:$19,000
Highest 10 Percent Earn:$45,000
Location Quotient:
0.99

34. Wisconsin

Total Counselor Jobs:
269
Average Annual Salary:$30,725
Lowest 10 Percent Earn:$19,000
Highest 10 Percent Earn:$48,000
Location Quotient:
0.72

35. Mississippi

Total Counselor Jobs:
95
Average Annual Salary:$31,692
Lowest 10 Percent Earn:$18,000
Highest 10 Percent Earn:$54,000
Location Quotient:
0.66

36. Tennessee

Total Counselor Jobs:
295
Average Annual Salary:$30,492
Lowest 10 Percent Earn:$18,000
Highest 10 Percent Earn:$49,000
Location Quotient:
0.74

37. Indiana

Total Counselor Jobs:
381
Average Annual Salary:$30,319
Lowest 10 Percent Earn:$18,000
Highest 10 Percent Earn:$48,000
Location Quotient:
0.86

38. Arkansas

Total Counselor Jobs:
147
Average Annual Salary:$30,000
Lowest 10 Percent Earn:$18,000
Highest 10 Percent Earn:$48,000
Location Quotient:
0.83

39. Iowa

Total Counselor Jobs:
224
Average Annual Salary:$29,158
Lowest 10 Percent Earn:$19,000
Highest 10 Percent Earn:$44,000
Location Quotient:
0.92

40. Georgia

Total Counselor Jobs:
609
Average Annual Salary:$31,221
Lowest 10 Percent Earn:$18,000
Highest 10 Percent Earn:$52,000
Location Quotient:
0.87

41. North Carolina

Total Counselor Jobs:
365
Average Annual Salary:$31,905
Lowest 10 Percent Earn:$18,000
Highest 10 Percent Earn:$54,000
Location Quotient:
0.56

42. Alabama

Total Counselor Jobs:
162
Average Annual Salary:$31,318
Lowest 10 Percent Earn:$18,000
Highest 10 Percent Earn:$53,000
Location Quotient:
0.54

43. Kentucky

Total Counselor Jobs:
159
Average Annual Salary:$30,600
Lowest 10 Percent Earn:$18,000
Highest 10 Percent Earn:$49,000
Location Quotient:
0.64

44. Utah

Total Counselor Jobs:
137
Average Annual Salary:$29,831
Lowest 10 Percent Earn:$19,000
Highest 10 Percent Earn:$46,000
Location Quotient:
0.64

45. Colorado

Total Counselor Jobs:
458
Average Annual Salary:$28,397
Lowest 10 Percent Earn:$18,000
Highest 10 Percent Earn:$43,000
Location Quotient:
1.14

46. Wyoming

Total Counselor Jobs:
42
Average Annual Salary:$28,158
Lowest 10 Percent Earn:$18,000
Highest 10 Percent Earn:$41,000
Location Quotient:
1.04

47. Oklahoma

Total Counselor Jobs:
119
Average Annual Salary:$29,836
Lowest 10 Percent Earn:$18,000
Highest 10 Percent Earn:$48,000
Location Quotient:
0.57

48. South Dakota

Total Counselor Jobs:
35
Average Annual Salary:$28,624
Lowest 10 Percent Earn:$19,000
Highest 10 Percent Earn:$42,000
Location Quotient:
0.49

49. Nebraska

Total Counselor Jobs:
129
Average Annual Salary:$28,505
Lowest 10 Percent Earn:$18,000
Highest 10 Percent Earn:$43,000
Location Quotient:
0.86

50. Kansas

Total Counselor Jobs:
120
Average Annual Salary:$28,979
Lowest 10 Percent Earn:$18,000
Highest 10 Percent Earn:$45,000
Location Quotient:
0.59

51. Missouri

Total Counselor Jobs:
243
Average Annual Salary:$29,325
Lowest 10 Percent Earn:$18,000
Highest 10 Percent Earn:$45,000
Location Quotient:
0.62

The 10 Best States In The US For Counselors in 2022

We analyzed these data points for all 50 states and the District of Columbia. Pennsylvania is the best state for jobs for counselors. The median salary for counselors in Pennsylvania is $38,462. Ready to check out the list? See below.

How We Determined The Best States To Be A Counselor

You can read about how the best state rankings are calculated here.

Detailed List Of The Best States For A Counselor

RankStateAverage SalaryLowest 10% EarnPopulationJob Count
1Pennsylvania$38,462$20,00012,805,537924
2Connecticut$39,779$20,0003,588,184309
3Massachusetts$38,507$20,0006,859,8191,941
4New York$39,761$20,00019,849,3991,058
5Arizona$37,039$21,0007,016,270509
6New Jersey$39,911$20,0009,005,644509
7California$41,223$23,00039,536,6532,149
8Rhode Island$39,339$20,0001,059,63972
9Delaware$38,407$19,000961,93988
10Maine$34,996$19,0001,335,907103
11Nevada$37,700$21,0002,998,039109
12New Hampshire$37,204$20,0001,342,79589
13Hawaii$41,191$34,0001,427,53862
14Michigan$32,785$19,0009,962,311478
15Maryland$36,781$19,0006,052,177442
16Vermont$34,941$19,000623,65745
17Louisiana$33,339$18,0004,684,333209
18New Mexico$33,457$19,0002,088,070104
19Texas$33,932$19,00028,304,596951
20District of Columbia$36,273$19,000693,972121
21Florida$32,706$18,00020,984,4001,141
22Virginia$34,936$19,0008,470,020478
23Oregon$32,277$20,0004,142,776270
24Washington$30,946$20,0007,405,743592
25North Dakota$30,440$21,000755,39357
26South Carolina$31,355$18,0005,024,369301
27West Virginia$32,240$18,0001,815,85764
28Ohio$32,006$18,00011,658,609476
29Illinois$30,047$19,00012,802,023943
30Alaska$29,269$23,000739,79566
31Montana$28,831$20,0001,050,49387
32Minnesota$30,391$20,0005,576,606419
33Idaho$30,051$19,0001,716,943110
34Wisconsin$30,725$19,0005,795,483269
35Mississippi$31,692$18,0002,984,10095
36Tennessee$30,492$18,0006,715,984295
37Indiana$30,319$18,0006,666,818381
38Arkansas$30,000$18,0003,004,279147
39Iowa$29,158$19,0003,145,711224
40Georgia$31,221$18,00010,429,379609
41North Carolina$31,905$18,00010,273,419365
42Alabama$31,318$18,0004,874,747162
43Kentucky$30,600$18,0004,454,189159
44Utah$29,831$19,0003,101,833137
45Colorado$28,397$18,0005,607,154458
46Wyoming$28,158$18,000579,31542
47Oklahoma$29,836$18,0003,930,864119
48South Dakota$28,624$19,000869,66635
49Nebraska$28,505$18,0001,920,076129
50Kansas$28,979$18,0002,913,123120
51Missouri$29,325$18,0006,113,532243

Highest paying states for Counselors

RankStateAvg. Counselor Salary
1Pennsylvania$38,462
2Connecticut$39,779
3Massachusetts$38,507
4New York$39,761
5Arizona$37,039
6New Jersey$39,911
7California$41,223
8Rhode Island$39,339
9Delaware$38,407
10Maine$34,996
11Nevada$37,700
12New Hampshire$37,204
13Hawaii$41,191
14Michigan$32,785
15Maryland$36,781
16Vermont$34,941
17Louisiana$33,339
18New Mexico$33,457
19Texas$33,932
20District of Columbia$36,273
21Florida$32,706
22Virginia$34,936
23Oregon$32,277
24Washington$30,946
25North Dakota$30,440
26South Carolina$31,355
27West Virginia$32,240
28Ohio$32,006
29Illinois$30,047
30Alaska$29,269
31Montana$28,831
32Minnesota$30,391
33Idaho$30,051
34Wisconsin$30,725
35Mississippi$31,692
36Tennessee$30,492
37Indiana$30,319
38Arkansas$30,000
39Iowa$29,158
40Georgia$31,221
41North Carolina$31,905
42Alabama$31,318
43Kentucky$30,600
44Utah$29,831
45Colorado$28,397
46Wyoming$28,158
47Oklahoma$29,836
48South Dakota$28,624
49Nebraska$28,505
50Kansas$28,979
51Missouri$29,325
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