Explore jobs
Find specific jobs
Explore careers
Explore professions
Best companies
Explore companies
The average salary for an Education Counselor is approximately $45,465 annually, translating to around $22 per hour. This salary can vary significantly based on factors such as geographic location, years of experience, and specific educational settings.
Entry-level positions typically offer lower salaries, while seasoned professionals can earn substantially more. For instance, counselors with over ten years of experience may see salaries exceeding $60,000. This highlights the importance of continuous professional development and experience in this field.
Education Counselors in states like California and New York often command higher salaries compared to those in Midwestern states, reflecting the cost of living and demand for educational services in urban areas. It's essential to consider these factors when evaluating salary expectations.
With the increasing emphasis on mental health and academic support, the demand for skilled Education Counselors is rising. Those looking to advance their careers may explore roles in school administration or specialized counseling, which can offer higher compensation and enhanced job satisfaction.
Let Zippia find your next education counselor job
Let Zippia find your next education counselor job
The average education counselor salary in California, New Jersey, and Rhode Island are the highest in the U.S. The lowest average education counselor salary states are Indiana, Kentucky, and South Carolina.
| Rank | State | Avg. salary | Hourly rate |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | New Jersey | $53,136 | $25.55 |
| 2 | California | $56,584 | $27.20 |
| 3 | Connecticut | $50,825 | $24.44 |
| 4 | Massachusetts | $49,588 | $23.84 |
| 5 | Minnesota | $50,621 | $24.34 |
| 6 | Rhode Island | $51,883 | $24.94 |
| 7 | New York | $50,392 | $24.23 |
| 8 | Maryland | $51,485 | $24.75 |
| 9 | Alaska | $48,620 | $23.38 |
| 10 | Pennsylvania | $43,575 | $20.95 |
| 11 | Washington | $46,982 | $22.59 |
| 12 | District of Columbia | $52,224 | $25.11 |
| 13 | Vermont | $46,381 | $22.30 |
| 14 | Nebraska | $45,126 | $21.70 |
| 15 | Wyoming | $43,582 | $20.95 |
| 16 | Delaware | $46,321 | $22.27 |
| 17 | Colorado | $45,334 | $21.80 |
| 18 | Illinois | $43,891 | $21.10 |
| 19 | Virginia | $49,180 | $23.64 |
| 20 | New Mexico | $42,497 | $20.43 |
| 21 | New Hampshire | $44,542 | $21.41 |
| 22 | Michigan | $42,725 | $20.54 |
| 23 | Texas | $44,775 | $21.53 |
| 24 | Nevada | $43,978 | $21.14 |
| 25 | North Dakota | $42,487 | $20.43 |
| 26 | Maine | $39,817 | $19.14 |
| 27 | Oregon | $41,933 | $20.16 |
| 28 | Arizona | $39,336 | $18.91 |
| 29 | Utah | $41,845 | $20.12 |
| 30 | Georgia | $39,584 | $19.03 |
| 31 | Louisiana | $39,150 | $18.82 |
| 32 | Hawaii | $40,066 | $19.26 |
| 33 | Ohio | $39,206 | $18.85 |
| 34 | Missouri | $40,215 | $19.33 |
| 35 | Kansas | $39,656 | $19.07 |
| 36 | Wisconsin | $39,461 | $18.97 |
| 37 | Tennessee | $38,728 | $18.62 |
| 38 | Iowa | $38,463 | $18.49 |
| 39 | Montana | $34,240 | $16.46 |
| 40 | Arkansas | $36,521 | $17.56 |
| 41 | Idaho | $34,358 | $16.52 |
| 42 | Oklahoma | $35,716 | $17.17 |
| 43 | Mississippi | $37,788 | $18.17 |
| 44 | Indiana | $33,212 | $15.97 |
| 45 | North Carolina | $36,290 | $17.45 |
| 46 | South Carolina | $32,546 | $15.65 |
| 47 | Florida | $30,195 | $14.52 |
| 48 | Alabama | $34,101 | $16.39 |
| 49 | Kentucky | $33,124 | $15.93 |
| 50 | South Dakota | $32,295 | $15.53 |
| 51 | West Virginia | $29,681 | $14.27 |
The highest-paying cities for education counselors are San Francisco, CA, Paramus, NJ, and Washington, DC.
| Rank | City | Avg. salary | Hourly rate |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | San Francisco, CA | $58,096 | $27.93 |
| 2 | Paramus, NJ | $53,318 | $25.63 |
| 3 | Washington, DC | $52,254 | $25.12 |
| 4 | Bethesda, MD | $51,208 | $24.62 |
| 5 | New Haven, CT | $50,898 | $24.47 |
| 6 | Annandale, VA | $50,666 | $24.36 |
| 7 | New York, NY | $50,474 | $24.27 |
| 8 | Brookline, MA | $49,551 | $23.82 |
| 9 | Seattle, WA | $47,108 | $22.65 |
| 10 | Greeley, CO | $45,585 | $21.92 |
| 11 | Dallas, TX | $44,817 | $21.55 |
| 12 | Chicago, IL | $44,063 | $21.18 |
| 13 | Pittsburgh, PA | $42,306 | $20.34 |
| 14 | Duluth, GA | $39,939 | $19.20 |
| 15 | Columbus, OH | $38,889 | $18.70 |
| 16 | Bartlesville, OK | $35,939 | $17.28 |
| 17 | Palmetto Bay, FL | $29,724 | $14.29 |
An education counselor's salary ranges from $33,000 a year at the 10th percentile to $61,000 at the 90th percentile.

| Percentile | Annual salary | Monthly salary | Hourly rate |
|---|---|---|---|
| 90th Percentile | $61,000 | $5,083 | $29 |
| 75th Percentile | $53,000 | $4,417 | $25 |
| Average | $45,465 | $3,789 | $22 |
| 25th Percentile | $38,000 | $3,167 | $18 |
| 10th Percentile | $33,000 | $2,750 | $16 |
The highest paying types of education counselors are clinical counselor, school counselor, and guidance counselor.
| Job title | Annual salary | Monthly salary | Hourly rate | Job openings |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Counselor Internship | $45,500 | $3,792 | $21.88 | 132,694 |
| Student Services Counselor | $41,175 | $3,431 | $19.80 | 104,698 |
| Elementary School Counselor | $34,984 | $2,915 | $16.82 | 92,184 |
| Community Health Counselor | $43,304 | $3,609 | $20.82 | 131,804 |
| Student Support Counselor | $41,329 | $3,444 | $19.87 | 134,839 |
| Peer Counselor | $37,464 | $3,122 | $18.01 | 76,608 |
Top companies hiring education counselors now:
Education counselor salaries at Silicon Valley International School and Carnegie Museums of Pittsburgh are the highest-paying according to our most recent salary estimates. In addition, the average education counselor salary at companies like Portland State University and Eagle Academy Public Charter School are highly competitive.
| Rank | Company | Average salary | Hourly rate |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Silicon Valley International School | $57,921 | $27.85 |
| 2 | Carnegie Museums of Pittsburgh | $55,282 | $26.58 |
| 3 | Portland State University | $54,866 | $26.38 |
| 4 | Eagle Academy Public Charter School | $54,549 | $26.23 |
| 5 | Kern Community College District | $53,533 | $25.74 |
| 6 | Children's of Alabama | $53,304 | $25.63 |
| 7 | Virginia Eye Institute | $52,199 | $25.10 |
| 8 | New River Community and Technical College | $51,396 | $24.71 |
| 9 | New York State Restaurant Association | $51,313 | $24.67 |
| 10 | IDP | $50,926 | $24.48 |
| 11 | Massachusetts Institute of Technology | $50,923 | $24.48 |
| 12 | Montgomery County Public Schools | $50,788 | $24.42 |
| 13 | University of California-Berkeley | $50,707 | $24.38 |
| 14 | Denver Public Schools | $50,417 | $24.24 |
| 15 | PSEA | $49,289 | $23.70 |
| 16 | Research Foundation of The City University of New York | $48,683 | $23.41 |
| 17 | Palm Drive Hospital | $48,239 | $23.19 |
| 18 | Children's Hospital of Philadelphia | $46,624 | $22.42 |
| 19 | eyecarecenter | $45,675 | $21.96 |
| 20 | Spanish Education Development | $45,109 | $21.69 |
The average education counselor salary varies across industries:
| Rank | Industry | Average salary | Hourly rate |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Education | $45,415 | $21.83 |
| 2 | Non Profits | $42,865 | $20.61 |
| 3 | Professional | $42,806 | $20.58 |
| 4 | Health Care | $41,587 | $19.99 |
| 5 | Retail | $41,457 | $19.93 |
The average education counselor salary has risen by $3,121 over the last ten years. In 2014, the average education counselor earned $42,344 annually, but today, they earn $45,465 a year. That works out to a 7% change in pay for education counselors over the last decade.
Compare education counselor salaries for cities or states with the national average over time.
Compare education counselor salaries for individual cities or states with the national average.
| Year | Avg. salary | Hourly rate | % Change |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2026 | $45,500 | $21.86 | +1.9% |
| 2025 | $44,600 | $21.45 | +1.3% |
| 2024 | $44,000 | $21.18 | +1.6% |
| 2023 | $43,300 | $20.84 | +1.5% |
| 2022 | $42,700 | $20.52 | +1.6% |
| Company | Job | Location | Date added | Salary |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| The Town of Vernon, Ct | Recreation Education for Kids (REK) Counselor | Vernon, CT | 06/19/2025 | $39,090 |
| City University of Seattle | Teaching Faculty, Counselor Education-City University of Seattle | Seattle, WA | 06/13/2025 | $80,000 |
| The Trustees of Reservations | Substitute Seasonal Camp Educator Counselor (Weir River & World's END) | Hingham, MA | 06/06/2025 | $35,479 |
| City University of Seattle | Teaching Faculty, Counselor Education-City University of Seattle | Seattle, WA | 05/30/2025 | $80,000 |
| Binghamton University | Counselor, Educational Opportunity Program | Binghamton, NY | 05/26/2025 | $55,500 |
| Corecivic | Educational Counselor | Youngstown, OH | 05/22/2025 | $50,818 |
| City University of Seattle | Teaching Faculty, Counselor Education-City University of Seattle | Seattle, WA | 04/26/2025 | $80,000 |
| Carbon County School District | Special Education Counselor | Rawlins, WY | 04/21/2025 | $52,000 |
| Riseboro Community Partnership Inc. | Prevention Educator/Counselor, C2C (46939) | New York, NY | 04/17/2025 | $44,224 |
| Orenda Charter School District (Tx | District Special Education or General Education Counselor-Georgetown Texas | Georgetown, TX | 04/15/2025 | $57,224 |
Search for education counselor jobs