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Lead counselor salary
Average lead counselor salary
$178,478
The average Lead Counselor salary in the United States stands at $178,478 per year. This figure can fluctuate based on several factors, including geographic location, years of experience, and the sector in which one is employed. For instance, Lead Counselors in high-demand urban areas often earn more than their counterparts in rural regions.
Experience plays a significant role in salary determination. Entry-level positions may start at lower salaries, while those with extensive experience can command higher compensation. Additionally, specialized fields such as clinical counseling or educational guidance may offer distinct salary ranges.
State-specific salaries also vary significantly. For example, states with a higher cost of living, like California and New York, typically offer more competitive salaries compared to other regions. This information is crucial for individuals considering a career as a Lead Counselor, as it enables them to assess where they could maximize their earning potential.
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Where can a Lead Counselor earn more?
Lead counselor salaries by experience level
Lead counselor salary estimates from across the web
Average lead counselor salary by state
The highest-paying states for lead counselors are New Jersey, California, and West Virginia. The lowest average lead counselor salary states are South Dakota, Utah, and Oklahoma.
- State view
- County view
Highest paying states for lead counselors
| Rank | State | Avg. salary | Hourly rate |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | New Jersey | $168,474 | $81.00 |
| 2 | Connecticut | $158,301 | $76.11 |
| 3 | Massachusetts | $154,934 | $74.49 |
| 4 | Delaware | $156,213 | $75.10 |
| 5 | Vermont | $161,416 | $77.60 |
| 6 | New York | $155,502 | $74.76 |
| 7 | California | $164,610 | $79.14 |
| 8 | Maine | $151,238 | $72.71 |
| 9 | West Virginia | $161,457 | $77.62 |
| 10 | New Mexico | $140,520 | $67.56 |
| 11 | Arizona | $143,535 | $69.01 |
| 12 | Nevada | $138,311 | $66.50 |
| 13 | District of Columbia | $156,606 | $75.29 |
| 14 | Texas | $148,877 | $71.58 |
| 15 | New Hampshire | $145,567 | $69.98 |
| 16 | Pennsylvania | $135,963 | $65.37 |
| 17 | Maryland | $151,110 | $72.65 |
| 18 | Wisconsin | $141,509 | $68.03 |
| 19 | Tennessee | $136,056 | $65.41 |
| 20 | Virginia | $147,729 | $71.02 |
| 21 | Illinois | $139,381 | $67.01 |
| 22 | Mississippi | $141,401 | $67.98 |
| 23 | North Carolina | $141,472 | $68.02 |
| 24 | Alabama | $137,806 | $66.25 |
| 25 | Arkansas | $125,148 | $60.17 |
| 26 | Ohio | $136,078 | $65.42 |
| 27 | North Dakota | $132,798 | $63.85 |
| 28 | Louisiana | $133,283 | $64.08 |
| 29 | Florida | $136,196 | $65.48 |
| 30 | Rhode Island | $137,241 | $65.98 |
| 31 | Nebraska | $124,954 | $60.07 |
| 32 | Minnesota | $134,264 | $64.55 |
| 33 | Michigan | $132,270 | $63.59 |
| 34 | Georgia | $132,190 | $63.55 |
| 35 | South Carolina | $129,862 | $62.43 |
| 36 | Hawaii | $128,010 | $61.54 |
| 37 | Iowa | $125,063 | $60.13 |
| 38 | Kansas | $111,139 | $53.43 |
| 39 | South Dakota | $110,172 | $52.97 |
| 40 | Idaho | $110,527 | $53.14 |
| 41 | Oklahoma | $107,738 | $51.80 |
| 42 | Colorado | $122,216 | $58.76 |
| 43 | Washington | $111,356 | $53.54 |
| 44 | Alaska | $102,318 | $49.19 |
| 45 | Montana | $84,544 | $40.65 |
| 46 | Oregon | $113,399 | $54.52 |
| 47 | Kentucky | $118,510 | $56.98 |
| 48 | Missouri | $123,889 | $59.56 |
| 49 | Wyoming | $100,710 | $48.42 |
| 50 | Indiana | $110,380 | $53.07 |
| 51 | Utah | $108,811 | $52.31 |
Highest paying cities for lead counselors
The highest-paying cities for lead counselors are Los Angeles, CA, Hartford, CT, and Albany, NY.
| Rank | City | Avg. salary | Hourly rate |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Los Angeles, CA | $197,444 | $94.92 |
| 2 | Hartford, CT | $177,413 | $85.29 |
| 3 | Albany, NY | $177,023 | $85.11 |
| 4 | Washington, DC | $172,028 | $82.71 |
| 5 | Boston, MA | $171,416 | $82.41 |
| 6 | Dover, DE | $170,579 | $82.01 |
| 7 | Austin, TX | $167,180 | $80.38 |
| 8 | Annapolis, MD | $163,488 | $78.60 |
| 9 | Concord, NH | $157,821 | $75.88 |
| 10 | Richmond, VA | $157,654 | $75.80 |
| 11 | Phoenix, AZ | $157,035 | $75.50 |
| 12 | Jackson, MS | $154,424 | $74.24 |
| 13 | Chicago, IL | $153,070 | $73.59 |
| 14 | Santa Fe, NM | $150,964 | $72.58 |
| 15 | Carson City, NV | $150,877 | $72.54 |
| 16 | Raleigh, NC | $150,649 | $72.43 |
| 17 | Montgomery, AL | $148,031 | $71.17 |
| 18 | Saint Paul, MN | $147,471 | $70.90 |
| 19 | Providence, RI | $144,584 | $69.51 |
| 20 | Columbus, OH | $144,193 | $69.32 |
Lead counselor salary details
A lead counselor's salary ranges from $100,000 a year at the 10th percentile to $315,000 at the 90th percentile.
What is a lead counselor's salary?
| Percentile | Annual salary | Monthly salary | Hourly rate |
|---|---|---|---|
| 90th Percentile | $315,000 | $26,250 | $151 |
| 75th Percentile | $240,000 | $20,000 | $115 |
| Average | $178,478 | $14,873 | $86 |
| 25th Percentile | $132,000 | $11,000 | $63 |
| 10th Percentile | $100,000 | $8,333 | $48 |
Highest paying lead counselor jobs
The highest paying types of lead counselors are licensed professional counselor, clinical counselor, and school counselor.
| Job title | Annual salary | Monthly salary | Hourly rate | Job openings |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Counselor/Case Manager | $39,562 | $3,297 | $19.02 | 88,285 |
| Counselor Internship | $45,500 | $3,792 | $21.88 | 132,694 |
| Student Support Counselor | $41,329 | $3,444 | $19.87 | 134,839 |
| Licensed Professional Counselor | $94,675 | $7,890 | $45.52 | 153,612 |
| Community Health Counselor | $43,304 | $3,609 | $20.82 | 131,804 |
| Rehabilitation Counselor | $43,111 | $3,593 | $20.73 | 77,220 |
Top companies hiring lead counselors now:
Which companies pay lead counselors the most?
Lead counselor salaries at MDI and Meta are the highest-paying according to our most recent salary estimates. In addition, the average lead counselor salary at companies like Takeda Pharmaceuticals U.S.A., Inc. and Messenger are highly competitive.
| Rank | Company | Average salary | Hourly rate |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | MDI | $215,508 | $103.61 |
| 2 | Meta | $205,390 | $98.75 |
| 3 | Takeda Pharmaceuticals U.S.A., Inc. | $203,791 | $97.98 |
| 4 | Messenger | $191,692 | $92.16 |
| 5 | Ralph Lauren | $170,382 | $81.91 |
| 6 | Allstate | $164,987 | $79.32 |
| 7 | Ascension Michigan | $164,461 | $79.07 |
| 8 | Westcare Health Corporation | $163,241 | $78.48 |
| 9 | The Nugget Company | $163,241 | $78.48 |
| 10 | YMCA of Metro Knoxville | $163,092 | $78.41 |
| 11 | Forward | $160,942 | $77.38 |
| 12 | New Horizons Village | $160,227 | $77.03 |
| 13 | Systems Planning and Analysis | $159,358 | $76.61 |
| 14 | Ymca Of Metropolitan Atlanta | $158,618 | $76.26 |
| 15 | JPMorgan Chase & Co. | $148,898 | $71.59 |
| 16 | Walmart | $148,531 | $71.41 |
| 17 | McKesson | $145,238 | $69.83 |
| 18 | Pyramid Healthcare | $141,031 | $67.80 |
| 19 | Horizon Services | $140,642 | $67.62 |
| 20 | ResMed | $135,418 | $65.10 |
Wage gap by gender, race and education
Lead counselor salary trends
The average lead counselor salary has risen by $12,253 over the last ten years. In 2014, the average lead counselor earned $166,225 annually, but today, they earn $178,478 a year. That works out to a 7% change in pay for lead counselors over the last decade.
Compare lead counselor salaries for cities or states with the national average over time.
Average lead counselor salary over time
Compare lead counselor salaries for individual cities or states with the national average.
Lead counselor salary by year
| Year | Avg. salary | Hourly rate | % Change |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2026 | $178,000 | $85.81 | +1.9% |
| 2025 | $175,000 | $84.21 | +1.3% |
| 2024 | $173,000 | $83.13 | +1.6% |
| 2023 | $170,000 | $81.81 | +1.5% |
| 2022 | $168,000 | $80.55 | +1.6% |
Recently added lead counselor salaries
| Company | Job | Location | Date added | Salary |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Opengate | Lead Counselor, Certified Day Habilitation | Hawthorne, NY | 06/28/2025 | $42,784 |
| Spring ISD | Lead Counselor-MS School Year) | Spring, TX | 06/27/2025 | $73,405 |
| Jewish Community Center of Denver | Lead Counselor (Madrich/Madricha) | Elbert, CO | 06/21/2025 | $25,800 |
| Cleveland ISD (Tx | Lead Counselor | Cleveland, TX | 06/21/2025 | $74,477 |
| Parents and Children | Lead Counselor/Advocate-Lanai/Maui | Lanai City, HI | 06/16/2025 | $47,625 |
| Denver Rescue Mission | Lead, Counselor-Licensed | Denver, CO | 06/12/2025 | $57,900 |
| Pinnacle Treatment Centers | Lead Counselor California | Pasadena, CA | 06/10/2025 | $58,436 |
| Juniata College | Lead Counselor | Huntingdon, PA | 06/10/2025 | $55,000 |
| Charleston County, Sc | Lead Counselor III (Internal Only) | Charleston, SC | 06/07/2025 | $56,704 |
| Conroe Independent School District (Tx | Counselor/Lead | Conroe, TX | 06/04/2025 | $78,912 |
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