Admissions Counselor Salary in 2026
Recruit and evaluate prospective students for colleges and universities.
Median Salary
$45,000
$3,750/mo
Entry Level
$35,000
starting pay
Senior Level
$58,000
experienced
Job Growth
+6%
10-yr outlook
BLS OEWS May 2025 · official national figures
BLS reports Educational, Guidance, and Career Counselors and Advisors (SOC 21-1012, the closest published occupation to Admissions Counselor) at a national median of $64,330 per year (mean $71,430), or $30.93 per hour, with 353,310 people employed nationwide. Salario's $45,000 median above is a title-level estimate and is not rescaled to this broader occupation. Source: BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, May 2025 release.
Admissions Counselor Overview
Recruit and evaluate prospective students for colleges and universities.
Education
Bachelor's Degree
Experience
0-2 years
Industry
Education
Total Jobs (US)
62K
5-Year Growth
+5%
Category
Education
Hourly Rate
$21.63/hr
Monthly Pay
$3,750
Admissions Counselor Salary Calculator
Adjust your state and experience level to see the estimated Admissions Counselor salary in your area.
Mid Career (5-9 yrs)
Estimated Admissions Counselor Salary
$50,000
$4,167/month · $1,923/biweekly · $24.04/hr
Admissions Counselor Salary Range
Salary distribution from entry-level to top earners in the Admissions Counselor field.
Entry-level Admissions Counselors earn around $35,000, while the top 10% earn $63,000 or more.
Top Paying States for Admissions Counselors
| State | Est. Median Salary | vs National |
|---|---|---|
| California | $53,000 | +$8,000 |
| New York | $52,000 | +$7,000 |
| Massachusetts | $50,000 | +$5,000 |
| Illinois | $47,000 | +$2,000 |
| Pennsylvania | $45,000 | $0 |
Top Paying Cities for Admissions Counselors
| City | Est. Median Salary | vs National |
|---|---|---|
| New York | $53,000 | +$8,000 |
| Boston | $50,000 | +$5,000 |
| Los Angeles | $50,000 | +$5,000 |
| Chicago | $47,000 | +$2,000 |
| Philadelphia | $46,000 | +$1,000 |
City figures are Salario estimates that scale the national median by a city cost-of-labor multiplier; BLS does not publish a metro-level series for this title.
Admissions Counselor Salary by City
Published city-level wage and take-home pay guides for Admissions Counselor.
Required Skills & Certifications
Key Skills
Certifications
Admissions Counselor Career Progression
Typical salary growth path for a Admissions Counselor from entry level to expert.
$35,000
0-2 years
$47,000
3-7 years
$58,000
8-14 years
$68,000
15+ years
Related Education Jobs
Admissions Counselor Salary FAQ
How much does a Admissions Counselor make in 2026?
Salario's modeled median salary for a Admissions Counselor in the United States is $45,000 per year in 2026. Entry-level positions start around $35,000, while senior professionals earn up to $58,000. Top earners in the field can make $68,000 or more annually. For reference, BLS OEWS May 2025 reports a $64,330 national median for the broader occupation Educational, Guidance, and Career Counselors and Advisors (SOC 21-1012).
What education is needed to become a Admissions Counselor?
A Admissions Counselor typically requires a Bachelor's Degree with 0-2 years of experience. Key skills include Recruitment, Public Speaking, Data Analysis. Relevant certifications such as None required can boost earning potential and career advancement.
What is the job outlook for Admissions Counselors?
The job market for Admissions Counselors is projected to grow by 6% over the next decade. There are currently approximately 62K Admissions Counselor positions in the US. Salary growth over the past 5 years has been approximately 5%, reflecting steady demand for this role.
Which states pay Admissions Counselors the most?
The highest-paying states for Admissions Counselors include California, New York, Massachusetts. In California, the median salary is approximately $53,000. However, cost of living varies significantly, so adjusted purchasing power should be considered when comparing salaries across states.
How can I increase my Admissions Counselor salary?
To increase your Admissions Counselor salary, focus on gaining expertise in high-demand skills like Recruitment and Public Speaking. Pursue certifications such as None required. Consider relocating to higher-paying markets like Boston. With 0-2 years of experience, you can progress from $35,000 to $58,000 or more.
Methodology & Data Sources: Admissions Counselor Salary
How we calculate Admissions Counselor salary data: Admissions Counselor has no exact BLS occupation. The national median, tiers, state and city figures are Salario estimates for the title; the closest published BLS occupation (Educational, Guidance, and Career Counselors and Advisors, SOC 21-1012) is shown above for reference but is not used to rescale the model because its wage level does not describe this title.
- National median salary: $45,000, Salario estimate (not a BLS value).
- Entry-level ($35,000) and senior-level ($58,000) are Salario tiers; they are not BLS percentiles. BLS publishes P10/P25/P75/P90 wages for this occupation in its OEWS tables.
- Job outlook: +6% projected growth is Salario's outlook figure; compare with the BLS Employment Projections program. Approximately 62K total positions nationwide (Salario estimate).
- 5-year salary growth: 5% is a Salario estimate of past 5-year wage growth for the Education sector, informed by the BLS Employment Cost Index.
- Education requirement: Bachelor's Degree, per BLS Occupational Outlook Handbook entry for this occupation.
- State and city estimates apply Salario cost-of-labor multipliers to the national median of $45,000; city rows marked "BLS metro" are real OEWS metropolitan-area medians instead.
Authoritative US data sources for Admissions Counselor compensation:
- BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS), national and metro-area salary data
- BLS Occupational Outlook Handbook, Admissions Counselor 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: Admissions Counselor salary figures are statistical estimates for general guidance. Actual compensation depends on employer, location, negotiation, specific skills (Recruitment, Public Speaking, Data Analysis), 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 Harlan Voss · Last updated May 17, 2026 · BLS figures: OEWS May 2025 release (published May 2026), retrieved from the BLS API on September 17, 2026
Explore More Job Salaries
Compare salary data for hundreds of jobs across all industries. Find out what you should be earning.