Academic Advisor Salary in 2026
Academic advisors guide students through degree requirements, course selection, and career planning at colleges and universities. They support student success and retention.
Median Salary
$50,000
$4,167/mo
Entry Level
$36,000
starting pay
Senior Level
$62,000
experienced
Job Growth
+5%
10-yr outlook
Academic Advisor Overview
Academic advisors guide students through degree requirements, course selection, and career planning at colleges and universities. They support student success and retention.
Education
Master's Degree
Experience
0-2 years
Industry
Education
Total Jobs (US)
105K
5-Year Growth
+11%
Category
Education
Hourly Rate
$24.04/hr
Monthly Pay
$4,167
Academic Advisor Salary Calculator
Adjust your state and experience level to see the estimated Academic Advisor salary in your area.
Mid Career (5-9 yrs)
Estimated Academic Advisor Salary
$53,000
$4,417/month · $2,038/biweekly · $25.48/hr
Academic Advisor Salary Range
Salary distribution from entry-level to top earners in the Academic Advisor field.
Entry-level Academic Advisors earn around $36,000, while the top 10% earn $70,000 or more.
Top Paying States for Academic Advisors
| State | Est. Median Salary | vs National |
|---|---|---|
| California | $59,000 | +$9,000 |
| New York | $57,000 | +$7,000 |
| Pennsylvania | $50,000 | $0 |
| Texas | $49,000 | $-1,000 |
| Florida | $49,000 | $-1,000 |
Top Paying Cities for Academic Advisors
| City | Est. Median Salary | vs National |
|---|---|---|
| New York | $59,000 | +$9,000 |
| Los Angeles | $56,000 | +$6,000 |
| Miami | $51,000 | +$1,000 |
| Philadelphia | $51,000 | +$1,000 |
| Houston | $50,000 | $0 |
Required Skills & Certifications
Key Skills
Certifications
Academic Advisor Career Progression
Typical salary growth path for a Academic Advisor from entry level to expert.
$36,000
0-2 years
$49,000
3-7 years
$62,000
8-14 years
$78,000
15+ years
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Academic Advisor Salary FAQ
Methodology & Data Sources — Academic Advisor Salary
How we calculate Academic Advisor salary data: Our figures combine BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS) for the national salary baseline, adjusted by cost-of-living multipliers from the C2ER Cost of Living Index. State-level estimates use BLS regional wage survey data weighted by occupation employment counts. We calibrate entry/senior/top-level tiers against BLS percentile distributions (P10, P25, P75, P90) for this occupation.
- National median salary: $50,000 — sourced from BLS OEWS for SOC code corresponding to Academic Advisor in the Education sector.
- Entry-level ($36,000) and senior-level ($62,000) figures reflect BLS P25 and P75 percentile wage estimates adjusted for experience.
- Job outlook: +5% projected growth through 2034, from BLS Employment Projections program. Approximately 105K total positions nationwide.
- 5-year salary growth: 11% over the past 5 years, derived from BLS Employment Cost Index for Education sector wages.
- Education requirement: Master's Degree, per BLS Occupational Outlook Handbook entry for this occupation.
- State-level estimates use BLS regional CPI-U data and OEWS metropolitan area wage surveys, normalized to the national median of $50,000.
Authoritative US data sources for Academic Advisor compensation:
- BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS) — national and metro-area salary data
- BLS Occupational Outlook Handbook — Academic Advisor job projections, education, and career outlook
- BLS Employment Projections — 10-year occupation growth and decline data
- BLS Employment Cost Index — quarterly compensation trend data for Education
- BLS Consumer Price Index (CPI-U) — regional inflation for cost-of-living wage adjustments
- IRS Revenue Procedure 2025-32 summary — 2026 federal tax brackets and standard deductions
Disclaimer: Academic Advisor salary figures are statistical estimates for general guidance. Actual compensation depends on employer, location, negotiation, specific skills (Student Development, Degree Audits, Career Counseling), certifications, and industry conditions. Always verify with multiple sources including current job listings, recruiter data, and direct employer offers before making career decisions.
Reviewed by Brazora Monk · Last updated May 17, 2026 · BLS data current as of latest OEWS annual release
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