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The average salary for a College Adviser in the United States is approximately $46,038 annually. This figure can vary based on several factors, including geographic location, years of experience, and specific educational settings. For instance, advisers in urban areas often command higher salaries due to the higher cost of living and demand for services.
College Adviser salaries differ significantly by state. California, for example, offers some of the highest salaries, reflecting its diverse educational needs and larger population. New York and Texas also provide competitive pay scales, making them attractive locations for aspiring advisers.
Experience plays a crucial role in salary potential. Entry-level positions may start lower, while those with advanced degrees or extensive experience can earn significantly more. Opportunities for advancement often exist, allowing advisers to specialize in fields such as career counseling or academic advising.
As the demand for educational guidance continues to grow, pursuing a career as a College Adviser can be both rewarding and lucrative. Whether you're starting your journey or looking to advance, understanding the salary landscape is essential for making informed career decisions.
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The average college adviser salary in Massachusetts, California, and New York are the highest in the U.S. The lowest average college adviser salary states are Michigan, Alabama, and Kentucky.
| Rank | State | Avg. salary | Hourly rate |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Rhode Island | $54,147 | $26.03 |
| 2 | New York | $57,496 | $27.64 |
| 3 | Connecticut | $57,463 | $27.63 |
| 4 | Massachusetts | $66,057 | $31.76 |
| 5 | Vermont | $49,191 | $23.65 |
| 6 | Maryland | $55,045 | $26.46 |
| 7 | Ohio | $51,511 | $24.76 |
| 8 | District of Columbia | $65,139 | $31.32 |
| 9 | Nevada | $49,895 | $23.99 |
| 10 | California | $57,653 | $27.72 |
| 11 | Oregon | $48,895 | $23.51 |
| 12 | Pennsylvania | $53,525 | $25.73 |
| 13 | Delaware | $51,873 | $24.94 |
| 14 | Indiana | $45,573 | $21.91 |
| 15 | Kansas | $48,667 | $23.40 |
| 16 | Virginia | $49,423 | $23.76 |
| 17 | Washington | $51,865 | $24.94 |
| 18 | Wisconsin | $46,527 | $22.37 |
| 19 | Alaska | $45,735 | $21.99 |
| 20 | New Mexico | $46,738 | $22.47 |
| 21 | Utah | $42,713 | $20.54 |
| 22 | Texas | $43,649 | $20.99 |
| 23 | New Jersey | $52,429 | $25.21 |
| 24 | Minnesota | $45,671 | $21.96 |
| 25 | Arizona | $43,084 | $20.71 |
| 26 | New Hampshire | $46,622 | $22.41 |
| 27 | Arkansas | $43,755 | $21.04 |
| 28 | Wyoming | $41,188 | $19.80 |
| 29 | Louisiana | $42,202 | $20.29 |
| 30 | West Virginia | $43,238 | $20.79 |
| 31 | Illinois | $45,145 | $21.70 |
| 32 | Tennessee | $40,108 | $19.28 |
| 33 | North Dakota | $41,000 | $19.71 |
| 34 | Hawaii | $41,996 | $20.19 |
| 35 | Iowa | $43,958 | $21.13 |
| 36 | Mississippi | $40,458 | $19.45 |
| 37 | Maine | $39,304 | $18.90 |
| 38 | Colorado | $38,834 | $18.67 |
| 39 | Nebraska | $41,909 | $20.15 |
| 40 | Florida | $38,454 | $18.49 |
| 41 | Missouri | $39,056 | $18.78 |
| 42 | Montana | $37,907 | $18.22 |
| 43 | Idaho | $37,173 | $17.87 |
| 44 | Michigan | $36,775 | $17.68 |
| 45 | North Carolina | $40,131 | $19.29 |
| 46 | Kentucky | $36,339 | $17.47 |
| 47 | Georgia | $37,921 | $18.23 |
| 48 | Alabama | $36,447 | $17.52 |
| 49 | Oklahoma | $34,166 | $16.43 |
| 50 | South Dakota | $31,110 | $14.96 |
| 51 | South Carolina | $35,167 | $16.91 |
The highest-paying cities for college advisers are Amherst, MA, Berkeley, CA, and New York, NY.
| Rank | City | Avg. salary | Hourly rate |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Amherst, MA | $66,278 | $31.86 |
| 2 | Berkeley, CA | $60,533 | $29.10 |
| 3 | New York, NY | $57,744 | $27.76 |
| 4 | Philadelphia, PA | $54,131 | $26.02 |
| 5 | Seattle, WA | $52,069 | $25.03 |
| 6 | Columbus, OH | $51,117 | $24.58 |
| 7 | Norfolk, VA | $49,437 | $23.77 |
| 8 | Wichita, KS | $48,913 | $23.52 |
| 9 | Crown Point, IN | $46,031 | $22.13 |
| 10 | Madison, WI | $45,932 | $22.08 |
| 11 | Chicago, IL | $45,421 | $21.84 |
| 12 | College Station, TX | $43,596 | $20.96 |
| 13 | Salt Lake City, UT | $42,557 | $20.46 |
| 14 | Durham, NC | $41,152 | $19.78 |
| 15 | Knoxville, TN | $40,378 | $19.41 |
| 16 | Pueblo, CO | $39,283 | $18.89 |
| 17 | Columbia, MO | $39,022 | $18.76 |
| 18 | Great Falls, MT | $37,948 | $18.24 |
| 19 | Ann Arbor, MI | $36,676 | $17.63 |
| 20 | Columbia, SC | $35,214 | $16.93 |
A college adviser's salary ranges from $33,000 a year at the 10th percentile to $63,000 at the 90th percentile.

| Percentile | Annual salary | Monthly salary | Hourly rate |
|---|---|---|---|
| 90th Percentile | $63,000 | $5,250 | $30 |
| 75th Percentile | $54,000 | $4,500 | $26 |
| Average | $46,038 | $3,837 | $22 |
| 25th Percentile | $38,000 | $3,167 | $18 |
| 10th Percentile | $33,000 | $2,750 | $16 |
The highest paying types of college advisers are education consultant, adviser, and admissions advisor.
| Job title | Annual salary | Monthly salary | Hourly rate | Job openings |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Student Mentor | $33,392 | $2,783 | $16.05 | 18,591 |
| Job Coach | $37,372 | $3,114 | $17.97 | 49,874 |
| Evaluator | $50,338 | $4,195 | $24.20 | 1,601 |
| Education Consultant | $79,608 | $6,634 | $38.27 | 15,462 |
| Student Representative | $40,373 | $3,364 | $19.41 | 10,038 |
| Education Internship | $34,580 | $2,882 | $16.63 | 57,382 |
Top companies hiring college advisers now:
College adviser salaries at New York University and Harlem Children's Zone are the highest-paying according to our most recent salary estimates. In addition, the average college adviser salary at companies like Syracuse Academy of Science Charter School and UMass Lowell are highly competitive.
| Rank | Company | Average salary | Hourly rate |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | New York University | $62,109 | $29.86 |
| 2 | Harlem Children's Zone | $60,589 | $29.13 |
| 3 | Syracuse Academy of Science Charter School | $58,700 | $28.22 |
| 4 | UMass Lowell | $56,548 | $27.19 |
| 5 | North Shore Community College | $54,466 | $26.19 |
| 6 | Tennessee Technological University | $53,949 | $25.94 |
| 7 | University of Southern California | $53,223 | $25.59 |
| 8 | University of California-Berkeley | $52,856 | $25.41 |
| 9 | Wichita State University | $52,840 | $25.40 |
| 10 | Franklin & Marshall College | $51,915 | $24.96 |
| 11 | Bottom Line Services LLC | $50,716 | $24.38 |
| 12 | PSEA | $50,677 | $24.36 |
| 13 | Grand Valley State University | $50,256 | $24.16 |
| 14 | Research Foundation of The City University of New York | $49,308 | $23.71 |
| 15 | University Settlement | $48,769 | $23.45 |
| 16 | Ivy Tech Community College | $48,423 | $23.28 |
| 17 | BronxWorks | $46,781 | $22.49 |
| 18 | University of Michigan | $46,738 | $22.47 |
| 19 | University of Georgia Small Business Development Center | $46,340 | $22.28 |
| 20 | University of Wisconsin System | $45,772 | $22.01 |
The average college adviser salary has risen by $3,160 over the last ten years. In 2014, the average college adviser earned $42,878 annually, but today, they earn $46,038 a year. That works out to a 7% change in pay for college advisers over the last decade.
Compare college adviser salaries for cities or states with the national average over time.
Compare college adviser salaries for individual cities or states with the national average.
| Year | Avg. salary | Hourly rate | % Change |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2026 | $46,000 | $22.13 | +1.9% |
| 2025 | $45,200 | $21.72 | +1.3% |
| 2024 | $44,600 | $21.44 | +1.6% |
| 2023 | $43,900 | $21.10 | +1.5% |
| 2022 | $43,200 | $20.78 | +1.6% |
| Company | Job | Location | Date added | Salary |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Framingham State University | College Planning Collaborative Pipeline Access Advisor Contractor)-Framingham State UNI | Framingham, MA | 06/27/2025 | $33,392 |
| Kansas State College Advising Corps | College Adviser | Kansas City, KS | 06/27/2025 | $40,000 |
| Tennessee Tech University | Gu-Tech College Access Advisor: Oneida Special School District, Scott County | Cookeville, TN | 06/26/2025 | $60,000 |
| Camba | College Success Advisor, Camba Collegebound (CCB) | New York, NY | 06/25/2025 | $60,000 |
| Wichita State University | College Access Advisor | Wichita, KS | 06/25/2025 | $40,500 |
| University of Tennessee | Advisor I, College of Communication and Information-UTK | Knoxville, TN | 06/21/2025 | $49,000 |
| Public School of North Carolina | College Advising Corps Adviser | Hayesville, NC | 06/21/2025 | $30,000 |
| St. Clair Regional Educational Service Agency | College Adviser | Marysville, MI | 06/21/2025 | $36,000 |
| Clay County Schools | College Advising Corps Adviser | Boone, NC | 06/20/2025 | $30,000 |
| University of Texas at Austin | Senior Academic Advisor, College of Natural Sciences Advising | Austin, TX | 06/20/2025 | $50,000 |
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