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Counseling specialist salary
Average counseling specialist salary
$44,061
Understanding Counseling Specialist Salaries
The role of a Counseling Specialist is vital in providing support and guidance to individuals facing various challenges. As of October 2025, the average salary for this position is approximately $44,061 annually, or around $21 per hour. This compensation can vary based on several factors, including geographical location, years of experience, and specific field specialization.
For instance, Counseling Specialists in major metropolitan areas tend to earn higher salaries due to increased demand for mental health services. States like California and New York frequently offer some of the highest compensation packages, reflecting the cost of living and the concentration of healthcare needs.
Salary by Experience Level
Entry-level specialists may start at lower salaries, while those with several years of experience, specialized training, or advanced degrees can command significantly higher wages. Additionally, counseling specialists working in educational or healthcare settings may see variations in pay structures based on institutional budgets and funding.
To maximize earning potential, professionals should consider pursuing certifications and training that enhance their skills and increase their marketability. Networking within the industry can also open doors to high-paying job opportunities. As the demand for mental health support continues to grow, counseling specialists are well-positioned to advance their careers and improve their earning potential.
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Where can a Counseling Specialist earn more?
Counseling specialist salaries by experience level
Average counseling specialist salary by state
The highest-paying states for counseling specialists are California, Washington, and Alaska. The lowest average counseling specialist salary states are Alabama, Oklahoma, and Maine.
- State view
- County view
Highest paying states for counseling specialists
| Rank | State | Avg. salary | Hourly rate |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Washington | $59,728 | $28.72 |
| 2 | Massachusetts | $52,158 | $25.08 |
| 3 | Alaska | $52,518 | $25.25 |
| 4 | California | $61,487 | $29.56 |
| 5 | Nevada | $48,308 | $23.23 |
| 6 | Oregon | $49,427 | $23.76 |
| 7 | New York | $47,800 | $22.98 |
| 8 | District of Columbia | $51,954 | $24.98 |
| 9 | Pennsylvania | $43,248 | $20.79 |
| 10 | New Mexico | $42,239 | $20.31 |
| 11 | Arizona | $41,965 | $20.18 |
| 12 | New Jersey | $46,249 | $22.24 |
| 13 | Rhode Island | $42,951 | $20.65 |
| 14 | Texas | $43,379 | $20.86 |
| 15 | Delaware | $41,757 | $20.08 |
| 16 | Connecticut | $46,089 | $22.16 |
| 17 | Hawaii | $42,651 | $20.51 |
| 18 | Maryland | $44,003 | $21.16 |
| 19 | Minnesota | $39,332 | $18.91 |
| 20 | Ohio | $41,736 | $20.07 |
| 21 | Kansas | $42,413 | $20.39 |
| 22 | Wyoming | $36,912 | $17.75 |
| 23 | Vermont | $39,210 | $18.85 |
| 24 | Wisconsin | $39,036 | $18.77 |
| 25 | Utah | $39,526 | $19.00 |
| 26 | South Carolina | $39,513 | $19.00 |
| 27 | Virginia | $39,522 | $19.00 |
| 28 | Iowa | $37,500 | $18.03 |
| 29 | Nebraska | $36,268 | $17.44 |
| 30 | Michigan | $37,596 | $18.07 |
| 31 | Louisiana | $37,225 | $17.90 |
| 32 | New Hampshire | $36,736 | $17.66 |
| 33 | Montana | $35,550 | $17.09 |
| 34 | Illinois | $37,957 | $18.25 |
| 35 | Colorado | $37,249 | $17.91 |
| 36 | West Virginia | $34,998 | $16.83 |
| 37 | Arkansas | $36,877 | $17.73 |
| 38 | North Dakota | $36,099 | $17.36 |
| 39 | Maine | $31,223 | $15.01 |
| 40 | Florida | $35,056 | $16.85 |
| 41 | Indiana | $34,069 | $16.38 |
| 42 | Tennessee | $34,894 | $16.78 |
| 43 | Idaho | $32,555 | $15.65 |
| 44 | Mississippi | $35,121 | $16.89 |
| 45 | South Dakota | $26,974 | $12.97 |
| 46 | North Carolina | $33,782 | $16.24 |
| 47 | Kentucky | $31,105 | $14.95 |
| 48 | Georgia | $32,955 | $15.84 |
| 49 | Oklahoma | $31,416 | $15.10 |
| 50 | Missouri | $31,012 | $14.91 |
| 51 | Alabama | $31,662 | $15.22 |
Highest paying cities for counseling specialists
The highest-paying cities for counseling specialists are San Francisco, CA, Seattle, WA, and Boston, MA.
| Rank | City | Avg. salary | Hourly rate |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | San Francisco, CA | $63,761 | $30.65 |
| 2 | Seattle, WA | $60,317 | $29.00 |
| 3 | Boston, MA | $52,030 | $25.01 |
| 4 | Washington, DC | $51,978 | $24.99 |
| 5 | New York, NY | $48,087 | $23.12 |
| 6 | Galveston, TX | $43,997 | $21.15 |
| 7 | Lorain, OH | $42,685 | $20.52 |
| 8 | Tucson, AZ | $41,472 | $19.94 |
| 9 | Minneapolis, MN | $39,338 | $18.91 |
| 10 | Richmond, VA | $39,165 | $18.83 |
| 11 | Chicago, IL | $38,062 | $18.30 |
| 12 | Lakewood, CO | $37,230 | $17.90 |
| 13 | Grand Island, NE | $36,406 | $17.50 |
| 14 | Franklin, TN | $34,765 | $16.71 |
| 15 | Pensacola, FL | $33,809 | $16.25 |
| 16 | Atlanta, GA | $32,859 | $15.80 |
| 17 | Saint Louis, MO | $30,847 | $14.83 |
Counseling specialist salary details
A counseling specialist's salary ranges from $32,000 a year at the 10th percentile to $59,000 at the 90th percentile.
What is a counseling specialist's salary?
| Percentile | Annual salary | Monthly salary | Hourly rate |
|---|---|---|---|
| 90th Percentile | $59,000 | $4,917 | $28 |
| 75th Percentile | $51,000 | $4,250 | $25 |
| Average | $44,061 | $3,672 | $21 |
| 25th Percentile | $37,000 | $3,083 | $18 |
| 10th Percentile | $32,000 | $2,667 | $15 |
Highest paying counseling specialist jobs
The highest paying types of counseling specialists are treatment specialist, intervention specialist, and school counselor.
| Job title | Annual salary | Monthly salary | Hourly rate | Job openings |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Peer Mentor | $28,416 | $2,368 | $13.66 | 1,199 |
| Job Coach | $37,372 | $3,114 | $17.97 | 49,874 |
| Admissions Representative | $38,193 | $3,183 | $18.36 | 16,883 |
| Admissions Coordinator | $38,117 | $3,176 | $18.33 | 35,711 |
| School Counselor | $49,904 | $4,159 | $23.99 | 91,275 |
| Counselor | $36,225 | $3,019 | $17.42 | 77,536 |
How would you rate the starting salaries for counseling specialists, as well as the prospects for salary advancement?
Logan Lamprecht Ph.D.
Clinical Assistant Professor, Counseling Clinic Director, Idaho State University
Top companies hiring counseling specialists now:
Which companies pay counseling specialists the most?
Counseling specialist salaries at Chicago Public Schools and University Of Minnesota Physicians are the highest-paying according to our most recent salary estimates. In addition, the average counseling specialist salary at companies like The University of Texas at San Antonio and Temecula Valley Unified School District are highly competitive.
| Rank | Company | Average salary | Hourly rate |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Chicago Public Schools | $51,843 | $24.92 |
| 2 | University Of Minnesota Physicians | $47,519 | $22.85 |
| 3 | The University of Texas at San Antonio | $46,867 | $22.53 |
| 4 | Temecula Valley Unified School District | $45,613 | $21.93 |
| 5 | Lakeview Center | $45,296 | $21.78 |
| 6 | Canadian Imperial Holdings, Inc. | $44,468 | $21.38 |
| 7 | Universal Health Services | $44,464 | $21.38 |
| 8 | Bon Secours Community Hospital | $43,939 | $21.12 |
| 9 | University of North Carolina | $43,595 | $20.96 |
| 10 | Americorps | $43,212 | $20.77 |
| 11 | Ryther | $42,993 | $20.67 |
| 12 | UTMB HEALTHCARE SYSTEMS | $42,623 | $20.49 |
| 13 | Mercy Health | $42,023 | $20.20 |
| 14 | University of Texas System | $37,575 | $18.06 |
| 15 | State of West Virginia | $37,454 | $18.01 |
| 16 | Crisis Services | $35,546 | $17.09 |
| 17 | Florida Department of Transportation | $34,035 | $16.36 |
| 18 | State Of Florida | $34,012 | $16.35 |
| 19 | Texas State Teachers Association | $33,297 | $16.01 |
| 20 | Denver Health | $32,536 | $15.64 |
Wage gap by gender, race and education
Counseling Specialist salary by industry
The average counseling specialist salary varies across industries:
- The average counseling specialist salary in the finance industry is $49,191, the highest of any industry.
- The average counseling specialist salary in the finance industry is $44,799.
- Counseling specialists in the health care industry earn an average salary of $37,321, the lowest of any industry.
Highest paying industries for counseling specialists
| Rank | Industry | Average salary | Hourly rate |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Finance | $49,191 | $23.65 |
| 2 | Non Profits | $44,799 | $21.54 |
| 3 | Technology | $43,846 | $21.08 |
| 4 | Education | $43,546 | $20.94 |
| 5 | Government | $43,086 | $20.71 |
| 6 | Health Care | $37,321 | $17.94 |
High paying counseling specialist jobs
Counseling specialist salary trends
The average counseling specialist salary has risen by $3,024 over the last ten years. In 2014, the average counseling specialist earned $41,037 annually, but today, they earn $44,061 a year. That works out to a 7% change in pay for counseling specialists over the last decade.
Compare counseling specialist salaries for cities or states with the national average over time.
Average counseling specialist salary over time
Compare counseling specialist salaries for individual cities or states with the national average.
Counseling specialist salary by year
| Year | Avg. salary | Hourly rate | % Change |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2026 | $44,100 | $21.18 | +1.9% |
| 2025 | $43,200 | $20.79 | +1.3% |
| 2024 | $42,700 | $20.52 | +1.6% |
| 2023 | $42,000 | $20.20 | +1.5% |
| 2022 | $41,400 | $19.89 | +1.6% |
Recently added counseling specialist salaries
| Company | Job | Location | Date added | Salary |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Alabama Community College System | Academic Counseling Specialist | Gadsden, AL | 06/30/2025 | $48,000 |
| Crisis Services | 988 Lifeline Crisis Counseling Specialist | Buffalo, NY | 06/18/2025 | $45,100 |
| ACCS | Academic Counseling Specialist | Gadsden, AL | 06/12/2025 | $48,000 |
| Chinese American Planning Council | Counselor Specialist (Adult Literacy Program) | New York, NY | 06/08/2025 | $55,055 |
| Southern Illinois University | Rehabilitation Counseling Specialist | Carbondale, IL | 05/28/2025 | $42,000 |
| Corpus Christi Independent School District | Elementary Counselor Specialist | Nome, TX | 05/22/2025 | $74,177 |
| Crisis Services | 988 Lifeline Crisis Counseling Specialist | Buffalo, NY | 05/16/2025 | $45,100 |
| Department of The Interior | Substance Abuse Counseling Specialist | Browning, MT | 05/15/2025 | $67,306 |
| Crowley Independent School District (Tx | QSN: Middle School (SEL) Counseling Specialist | Crowley, TX | 05/13/2025 | $62,810 |
| Chinese American Planning Council | Counselor Specialist (Adult Literacy Program) | New York, NY | 05/11/2025 | $52,759 |
Counseling specialist salary FAQs
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