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The role of a Career Consultant involves advising clients on career decisions, helping them assess their skills and interests, and guiding them toward suitable job opportunities. As of October 2025, the average salary for a Career Consultant stands at $50,813 per year. Salaries can vary significantly based on factors such as location, experience, and the specific sector.
In states like California and New York, salaries tend to be higher due to the cost of living and demand for career services. For instance, a Career Consultant in California can expect to earn upwards of $60,000 annually, while those in states with lower living costs may see salaries around $45,000. Understanding these regional differences can help you target your job search effectively.
Experience also plays a critical role in determining salary. Entry-level consultants typically earn around $40,000, while those with significant experience can command salaries exceeding $70,000. This disparity highlights the importance of continuous professional development and networking in advancing your career.
With the growing demand for career consulting services, various job opportunities are available, including roles in educational institutions, private firms, and government agencies. The future looks promising for aspiring Career Consultants, making this an excellent field to consider.
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The highest-paying states for career consultants are California, New York, and Maryland. The lowest average career consultant salary states are Montana, New Hampshire, and Hawaii.
| Rank | State | Avg. salary | Hourly rate |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | California | $64,928 | $31.22 |
| 2 | District of Columbia | $64,954 | $31.23 |
| 3 | Nevada | $52,945 | $25.45 |
| 4 | New York | $56,830 | $27.32 |
| 5 | Kansas | $53,660 | $25.80 |
| 6 | New Jersey | $53,647 | $25.79 |
| 7 | Ohio | $53,108 | $25.53 |
| 8 | Pennsylvania | $50,223 | $24.15 |
| 9 | Texas | $52,210 | $25.10 |
| 10 | Massachusetts | $50,330 | $24.20 |
| 11 | Connecticut | $50,851 | $24.45 |
| 12 | Washington | $53,394 | $25.67 |
| 13 | Oregon | $48,741 | $23.43 |
| 14 | South Carolina | $51,537 | $24.78 |
| 15 | Illinois | $48,723 | $23.42 |
| 16 | New Mexico | $50,434 | $24.25 |
| 17 | Wisconsin | $48,584 | $23.36 |
| 18 | Mississippi | $44,466 | $21.38 |
| 19 | Delaware | $50,989 | $24.51 |
| 20 | Maryland | $54,682 | $26.29 |
| 21 | Indiana | $44,214 | $21.26 |
| 22 | Virginia | $50,541 | $24.30 |
| 23 | Rhode Island | $45,747 | $21.99 |
| 24 | Utah | $44,934 | $21.60 |
| 25 | Michigan | $46,316 | $22.27 |
| 26 | Arkansas | $47,016 | $22.60 |
| 27 | Iowa | $47,652 | $22.91 |
| 28 | North Carolina | $44,448 | $21.37 |
| 29 | Minnesota | $44,987 | $21.63 |
| 30 | Tennessee | $45,143 | $21.70 |
| 31 | Nebraska | $45,457 | $21.85 |
| 32 | West Virginia | $45,078 | $21.67 |
| 33 | Wyoming | $43,623 | $20.97 |
| 34 | Alabama | $40,616 | $19.53 |
| 35 | Alaska | $46,091 | $22.16 |
| 36 | Oklahoma | $39,702 | $19.09 |
| 37 | Vermont | $39,331 | $18.91 |
| 38 | Arizona | $42,748 | $20.55 |
| 39 | Colorado | $45,356 | $21.81 |
| 40 | Montana | $39,095 | $18.80 |
| 41 | Louisiana | $45,133 | $21.70 |
| 42 | Florida | $42,788 | $20.57 |
| 43 | North Dakota | $41,595 | $20.00 |
| 44 | New Hampshire | $37,330 | $17.95 |
| 45 | Georgia | $42,676 | $20.52 |
| 46 | South Dakota | $32,966 | $15.85 |
| 47 | Missouri | $39,802 | $19.14 |
| 48 | Hawaii | $35,206 | $16.93 |
| 49 | Kentucky | $40,758 | $19.60 |
| 50 | Idaho | $34,351 | $16.51 |
| 51 | Maine | $30,782 | $14.80 |
The highest-paying cities for career consultants are Santa Clara, CA, New York, NY, and Columbia, MD.
| Rank | City | Avg. salary | Hourly rate |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Santa Clara, CA | $67,511 | $32.46 |
| 2 | New York, NY | $57,434 | $27.61 |
| 3 | Columbia, MD | $54,629 | $26.26 |
| 4 | Hoboken, NJ | $52,990 | $25.48 |
| 5 | Houston, TX | $52,472 | $25.23 |
| 6 | Pittsburgh, PA | $49,241 | $23.67 |
| 7 | Waukesha, WI | $48,790 | $23.46 |
| 8 | Beaverton, OR | $48,526 | $23.33 |
| 9 | Grand Rapids, MI | $45,922 | $22.08 |
| 10 | Denver, CO | $45,294 | $21.78 |
| 11 | Springville, UT | $45,010 | $21.64 |
| 12 | Saint Louis, MO | $40,049 | $19.25 |
A career consultant's salary ranges from $35,000 a year at the 10th percentile to $72,000 at the 90th percentile.

| Percentile | Annual salary | Monthly salary | Hourly rate |
|---|---|---|---|
| 90th Percentile | $72,000 | $6,000 | $35 |
| 75th Percentile | $61,000 | $5,083 | $29 |
| Average | $50,813 | $4,234 | $24 |
| 25th Percentile | $42,000 | $3,500 | $20 |
| 10th Percentile | $35,000 | $2,917 | $17 |
The highest paying types of career consultants are education consultant, consultant, and admissions advisor.
| Job title | Annual salary | Monthly salary | Hourly rate | Job openings |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Evaluator | $50,338 | $4,195 | $24.20 | 1,601 |
| Admissions Advisor | $54,192 | $4,516 | $26.05 | 55,433 |
| Student Advisor | $41,418 | $3,452 | $19.91 | 56,492 |
| Student Mentor | $33,392 | $2,783 | $16.05 | 18,591 |
| Academic Adviser | $46,729 | $3,894 | $22.47 | 23,208 |
| Admissions Coordinator | $38,117 | $3,176 | $18.33 | 35,711 |
Top companies hiring career consultants now:
Career consultant salaries at Oakland University and Univ Of Colorado-Colorado Spgs are the highest-paying according to our most recent salary estimates. In addition, the average career consultant salary at companies like Ramboll and Ocean County Utilities Authority are highly competitive.
| Rank | Company | Average salary | Hourly rate |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Oakland University | $62,328 | $29.97 |
| 2 | Univ Of Colorado-Colorado Spgs | $54,795 | $26.34 |
| 3 | Ramboll | $54,723 | $26.31 |
| 4 | Ocean County Utilities Authority | $53,325 | $25.64 |
| 5 | University of Rochester | $52,804 | $25.39 |
| 6 | Aerotek | $52,442 | $25.21 |
| 7 | R&R Insurance | $52,198 | $25.10 |
| 8 | University of Pittsburgh | $49,316 | $23.71 |
| 9 | Sysco | $49,215 | $23.66 |
| 10 | University of Colorado | $48,918 | $23.52 |
| 11 | IntelliPro | $48,143 | $23.15 |
The average career consultant salary has risen by $3,489 over the last ten years. In 2014, the average career consultant earned $47,324 annually, but today, they earn $50,813 a year. That works out to a 7% change in pay for career consultants over the last decade.
Compare career consultant salaries for cities or states with the national average over time.
Compare career consultant salaries for individual cities or states with the national average.
| Year | Avg. salary | Hourly rate | % Change |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2026 | $50,800 | $24.43 | +1.9% |
| 2025 | $49,900 | $23.98 | +1.3% |
| 2024 | $49,200 | $23.67 | +1.6% |
| 2023 | $48,400 | $23.29 | +1.5% |
| 2022 | $47,700 | $22.93 | +1.6% |
| Company | Job | Location | Date added | Salary |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| SCU Credit Union | Career Skills Actor/Consultant | Santa Clara, CA | 06/29/2025 | $75,967 |
| Vadis | Career Consultant-King County | Lynnwood, WA | 06/12/2025 | $52,175 |
| Santa Clara University | Career Skills Actor/Consultant | Santa Clara, CA | 06/06/2025 | $75,967 |
| LHH | Career Consultant | West Des Moines, IA | 06/05/2025 | $78,263 |
| Adecco Group Inc. | Career Consultant | Bellevue, WA | 05/30/2025 | $78,263 |
| LHH | Career Consultant | Bellevue, WA | 05/30/2025 | $78,263 |
| State of Virginia | Peer Career Consultant (PCC) | Enon, VA | 05/23/2025 | $25,900 |
| University of Mary Washington | Peer Career Consultant (PCC) | Fredericksburg, VA | 05/22/2025 | $25,900 |
| Adecco Group Inc. | Career Consultant | Chicago, IL | 05/07/2025 | $78,263 |
| LHH | Career Consultant | Chicago, IL | 05/07/2025 | $78,263 |
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