Explore jobs
Find specific jobs
Explore careers
Explore professions
Best companies
Explore companies
Peer counselor salary
Average peer counselor salary
$37,464
Understanding Peer Counselor Salaries
Peer counselors play a crucial role in mental health and support services, often drawing from personal experience to assist others. As of October 2025, the average annual salary for a Peer Counselor is $37,464. This figure reflects the diverse nature of the role, encompassing various contexts such as rehabilitation centers, schools, and community organizations.
Salary Variations
Salaries can differ significantly based on geographic location, years of experience, and the specific organization. For instance, peer counselors in states like California and New York generally earn more due to higher living costs and demand for services. Entry-level positions may start at around $30,000, while experienced counselors can earn over $50,000 annually.
Opportunities for Advancement
To increase earning potential, peer counselors can pursue additional certifications or specialized training. Engaging in continuous education not only enhances skills but also opens doors to higher-paying roles within the field, such as program coordinators or supervisors.
Conclusion
Understanding the salary landscape for peer counselors is essential for career planning. By staying informed about average salaries and potential growth opportunities, you can make well-informed decisions about your future in this impactful profession.
Let Zippia find your next peer counselor job
Let Zippia find your next peer counselor job
Where can a Peer Counselor earn more?
Peer counselor salaries by experience level
Peer counselor salary estimates from across the web
Average peer counselor salary by state
The highest-paying states for peer counselors are California, North Dakota, and New Jersey. The lowest average peer counselor salary states are Georgia, Indiana, and Louisiana.
- State view
- County view
Highest paying states for peer counselors
| Rank | State | Avg. salary | Hourly rate |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Massachusetts | $44,111 | $21.21 |
| 2 | New Jersey | $45,667 | $21.96 |
| 3 | Washington | $44,631 | $21.46 |
| 4 | California | $46,734 | $22.47 |
| 5 | Alaska | $42,425 | $20.40 |
| 6 | North Dakota | $46,209 | $22.22 |
| 7 | Connecticut | $40,327 | $19.39 |
| 8 | Minnesota | $40,948 | $19.69 |
| 9 | Delaware | $40,658 | $19.55 |
| 10 | Illinois | $38,284 | $18.41 |
| 11 | Nebraska | $37,682 | $18.12 |
| 12 | District of Columbia | $41,720 | $20.06 |
| 13 | West Virginia | $41,187 | $19.80 |
| 14 | Vermont | $39,606 | $19.04 |
| 15 | Wisconsin | $40,521 | $19.48 |
| 16 | Maryland | $38,376 | $18.45 |
| 17 | Arizona | $35,510 | $17.07 |
| 18 | Pennsylvania | $33,943 | $16.32 |
| 19 | Idaho | $36,189 | $17.40 |
| 20 | Maine | $34,420 | $16.55 |
| 21 | Colorado | $36,414 | $17.51 |
| 22 | Iowa | $35,688 | $17.16 |
| 23 | Michigan | $34,836 | $16.75 |
| 24 | New York | $34,582 | $16.63 |
| 25 | Nevada | $35,531 | $17.08 |
| 26 | Oregon | $34,614 | $16.64 |
| 27 | New Mexico | $34,531 | $16.60 |
| 28 | Virginia | $38,379 | $18.45 |
| 29 | Montana | $32,025 | $15.40 |
| 30 | Ohio | $34,185 | $16.44 |
| 31 | Wyoming | $33,504 | $16.11 |
| 32 | South Dakota | $34,974 | $16.81 |
| 33 | Hawaii | $32,979 | $15.86 |
| 34 | New Hampshire | $33,407 | $16.06 |
| 35 | Rhode Island | $31,990 | $15.38 |
| 36 | Arkansas | $29,412 | $14.14 |
| 37 | Missouri | $31,986 | $15.38 |
| 38 | Tennessee | $31,392 | $15.09 |
| 39 | Texas | $31,724 | $15.25 |
| 40 | Mississippi | $30,246 | $14.54 |
| 41 | Utah | $31,079 | $14.94 |
| 42 | North Carolina | $30,264 | $14.55 |
| 43 | Louisiana | $26,662 | $12.82 |
| 44 | Georgia | $27,123 | $13.04 |
| 45 | Indiana | $26,937 | $12.95 |
| 46 | Florida | $23,476 | $11.29 |
| 47 | Kansas | $28,926 | $13.91 |
| 48 | South Carolina | $25,776 | $12.39 |
| 49 | Alabama | $29,049 | $13.97 |
| 50 | Kentucky | $27,335 | $13.14 |
| 51 | Oklahoma | $25,191 | $12.11 |
Highest paying cities for peer counselors
The highest-paying cities for peer counselors are Hayward, CA, New Brunswick, NJ, and Vancouver, WA.
| Rank | City | Avg. salary | Hourly rate |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Hayward, CA | $48,519 | $23.33 |
| 2 | New Brunswick, NJ | $45,653 | $21.95 |
| 3 | Vancouver, WA | $44,893 | $21.58 |
| 4 | Worcester, MA | $44,464 | $21.38 |
| 5 | Washington, DC | $41,703 | $20.05 |
| 6 | Wilmington, DE | $40,856 | $19.64 |
| 7 | Leesburg, VA | $40,442 | $19.44 |
| 8 | Juneau, AK | $40,318 | $19.38 |
| 9 | New York, NY | $34,686 | $16.68 |
| 10 | Portland, OR | $34,616 | $16.64 |
| 11 | Philadelphia, PA | $34,057 | $16.37 |
| 12 | Kansas City, MO | $32,304 | $15.53 |
| 13 | Cincinnati, OH | $32,100 | $15.43 |
| 14 | Houston, TX | $30,350 | $14.59 |
| 15 | Marietta, GA | $27,749 | $13.34 |
| 16 | Indianapolis, IN | $26,602 | $12.79 |
| 17 | Oklahoma City, OK | $25,213 | $12.12 |
Peer counselor salary details
A peer counselor's salary ranges from $24,000 a year at the 10th percentile to $57,000 at the 90th percentile.
What is a peer counselor's salary?
| Percentile | Annual salary | Monthly salary | Hourly rate |
|---|---|---|---|
| 90th Percentile | $57,000 | $4,750 | $27 |
| 75th Percentile | $46,000 | $3,833 | $22 |
| Average | $37,464 | $3,122 | $18 |
| 25th Percentile | $29,000 | $2,417 | $14 |
| 10th Percentile | $24,000 | $2,000 | $12 |
Highest paying peer counselor jobs
The highest paying types of peer counselors are lead counselor, crisis counselor, and school counselor.
| Job title | Annual salary | Monthly salary | Hourly rate | Job openings |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Counselor Internship | $45,500 | $3,792 | $21.88 | 132,694 |
| Admissions Counselor | $39,298 | $3,275 | $18.89 | 43,413 |
| Education Counselor | $45,465 | $3,789 | $21.86 | 40,323 |
| Student Support Counselor | $41,329 | $3,444 | $19.87 | 134,839 |
| Elementary School Counselor | $34,984 | $2,915 | $16.82 | 92,184 |
| Peer Mentor | $28,416 | $2,368 | $13.66 | 1,199 |
Top companies hiring peer counselors now:
Which companies pay peer counselors the most?
Peer counselor salaries at The Brooklyn Hospital Center and GradyHealth are the highest-paying according to our most recent salary estimates. In addition, the average peer counselor salary at companies like Seneca Resources and University of Washington are highly competitive.
| Rank | Company | Average salary | Hourly rate |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | The Brooklyn Hospital Center | $64,781 | $31.14 |
| 2 | GradyHealth | $60,932 | $29.29 |
| 3 | Seneca Resources | $47,984 | $23.07 |
| 4 | University of Washington | $45,743 | $21.99 |
| 5 | Telecare | $45,129 | $21.70 |
| 6 | King County | $44,691 | $21.49 |
| 7 | Cerebral Palsy Association of Nassau County | $43,375 | $20.85 |
| 8 | City of Austin | $43,169 | $20.75 |
| 9 | Cerebral Palsy Association of The North Country | $42,996 | $20.67 |
| 10 | Affinia Healthcare | $41,521 | $19.96 |
| 11 | University Health | $41,336 | $19.87 |
| 12 | Yukon Kuskokwim Health | $40,953 | $19.69 |
| 13 | Joseph P. Addabbo Family Health Center | $40,777 | $19.60 |
| 14 | Community Health Center of Branch County | $40,585 | $19.51 |
| 15 | Unity Health Care | $40,529 | $19.49 |
| 16 | Victor | $40,396 | $19.42 |
| 17 | Indian Health Service | $40,265 | $19.36 |
| 18 | Community Action | $39,904 | $19.18 |
| 19 | Beth Israel Lahey Health | $39,904 | $19.18 |
| 20 | Heluna Health | $39,815 | $19.14 |
Wage gap by gender, race and education
Peer Counselor salary by industry
The average peer counselor salary varies across industries:
- The average peer counselor salary in the education industry is $47,483, the highest of any industry.
- The average peer counselor salary in the finance industry is $38,818.
- Peer counselors in the government industry earn an average salary of $36,527, the lowest of any industry.
Highest paying industries for peer counselors
| Rank | Industry | Average salary | Hourly rate |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Education | $47,483 | $22.83 |
| 2 | Non Profits | $38,818 | $18.66 |
| 3 | Professional | $38,742 | $18.63 |
| 4 | Health Care | $38,536 | $18.53 |
| 5 | Government | $36,527 | $17.56 |
High paying peer counselor jobs
Peer counselor salary trends
The average peer counselor salary has risen by $2,572 over the last ten years. In 2014, the average peer counselor earned $34,892 annually, but today, they earn $37,464 a year. That works out to a 7% change in pay for peer counselors over the last decade.
Compare peer counselor salaries for cities or states with the national average over time.
Average peer counselor salary over time
Compare peer counselor salaries for individual cities or states with the national average.
Peer counselor salary by year
| Year | Avg. salary | Hourly rate | % Change |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2026 | $37,500 | $18.01 | +1.9% |
| 2025 | $36,800 | $17.68 | +1.3% |
| 2024 | $36,300 | $17.45 | +1.6% |
| 2023 | $35,700 | $17.17 | +1.5% |
| 2022 | $35,200 | $16.91 | +1.6% |
Recently added peer counselor salaries
| Company | Job | Location | Date added | Salary |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| New Hope Services Inc. | Breast Feeding Peer Counselor | Jeffersonville, IN | 06/29/2025 | $30,679 |
| El Paso County | Breastfeeding Peer Counselor Grant Funded) | Colorado Springs, CO | 06/28/2025 | $41,740 |
| Metropolitan Development Council | Peer Counselor (Night) | Tacoma, WA | 06/27/2025 | $37,169 |
| Ellis Medicine | Peer Counselor-The Family Room-Outpatient Clinic | Schenectady, NY | 06/26/2025 | $34,707 |
| We Care Daily Clinics | Peer Counselor North Seattle | Seattle, WA | 06/26/2025 | $58,436 |
| Transitional Services for New York Inc. | Peer Counselor | New York, NY | 06/25/2025 | $43,556 |
| Firsthand | Peer Counselor | Tacoma, WA | 06/18/2025 | $45,914 |
| Redwood Community Services | Peer Support Counselor | Ukiah, CA | 06/17/2025 | $41,427 |
| Lifeline Connections | Pact Team Peer Counselor | Vancouver, WA | 06/16/2025 | $42,262 |
| City of Amarillo, Tx | WIC Technician II-Peer Counselor | Amarillo, TX | 06/12/2025 | $27,444 |
Peer counselor salary FAQs
Search for peer counselor jobs