Guidance Counselor Salary in 2026
Help students develop academic goals, career plans, and address personal challenges.
Median Salary
$64,330
$5,361/mo
Entry Level
$46,700
starting pay
Senior Level
$85,100
experienced
Job Growth
+5%
10-yr outlook
BLS OEWS May 2025 · official national figures
BLS reports Educational, Guidance, and Career Counselors and Advisors (SOC 21-1012) at a national median of $64,330 per year (mean $71,430), or $30.93 per hour, with 353,310 people employed nationwide. The median above is this BLS figure; the entry, senior and top tiers are Salario estimates calibrated to it. Source: BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, May 2025 release.
Guidance Counselor Overview
Help students develop academic goals, career plans, and address personal challenges.
Education
Master's Degree
Experience
2-4 years
Industry
Education
Total Jobs (US)
353K
5-Year Growth
+5%
Category
Education
Hourly Rate
$30.93/hr
Monthly Pay
$5,361
Guidance Counselor Salary Calculator
Adjust your state and experience level to see the estimated Guidance Counselor salary in your area.
Mid Career (5-9 yrs)
Estimated Guidance Counselor Salary
$72,000
$6,000/month · $2,769/biweekly · $34.62/hr
Guidance Counselor Salary Range
Salary distribution from entry-level to top earners in the Guidance Counselor field.
Entry-level Guidance Counselors earn around $46,700, while the top 10% earn $91,850 or more.
Top Paying States for Guidance Counselors
| State | Est. Median Salary | vs National |
|---|---|---|
| California | $76,000 | +$11,670 |
| New York | $74,000 | +$9,670 |
| Massachusetts | $72,000 | +$7,670 |
| Connecticut | $71,000 | +$6,670 |
| New Jersey | $71,000 | +$6,670 |
Top Paying Cities for Guidance Counselors
| City | Est. Median Salary | vs National |
|---|---|---|
| New York | $76,000 | +$11,670 |
| Los Angeles | $72,000 | +$7,670 |
| Boston | $72,000 | +$7,670 |
| Newark | $69,000 | +$4,670 |
| Hartford | $68,000 | +$3,670 |
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.
Required Skills & Certifications
Key Skills
Certifications
Guidance Counselor Career Progression
Typical salary growth path for a Guidance Counselor from entry level to expert.
$46,700
0-2 years
$66,000
3-7 years
$85,100
8-14 years
$98,600
15+ years
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Guidance Counselor Salary FAQ
How much does a Guidance Counselor make in 2026?
The median salary for a Guidance Counselor in the United States is $64,330 per year, the BLS OEWS May 2025 national median for Educational, Guidance, and Career Counselors and Advisors (SOC 21-1012); the mean is $71,430. Salario's calibrated tiers put entry-level positions around $46,700, senior professionals around $85,100, and top earners at $98,600 or more annually.
What education is needed to become a Guidance Counselor?
A Guidance Counselor typically requires a Master's Degree with 2-4 years of experience. Key skills include Counseling, Student Assessment, Career Guidance. Relevant certifications such as State Licensure or NCC can boost earning potential and career advancement.
What is the job outlook for Guidance Counselors?
The job market for Guidance Counselors is projected to grow by 5% over the next decade. There are currently approximately 353K Guidance Counselor positions in the US. Salary growth over the past 5 years has been approximately 5%, reflecting moderate demand for this role.
Which states pay Guidance Counselors the most?
The highest-paying states for Guidance Counselors include New York, California, Connecticut. In New York, the median salary is approximately $74,000. However, cost of living varies significantly, so adjusted purchasing power should be considered when comparing salaries across states.
How can I increase my Guidance Counselor salary?
To increase your Guidance Counselor salary, focus on gaining expertise in high-demand skills like Counseling and Student Assessment. Pursue certifications such as State Licensure. Consider relocating to higher-paying markets like New York. With 2-4 years of experience, you can progress from $46,700 to $85,100 or more.
Methodology & Data Sources: Guidance Counselor Salary
How we calculate Guidance Counselor salary data: The national median is the official BLS OEWS May 2025 annual median wage for Educational, Guidance, and Career Counselors and Advisors (SOC 21-1012), retrieved from the BLS Public Data API. The entry, senior and top tiers are a Salario model: the shape of the distribution is Salario's, rescaled so that its median equals the BLS median. State and most city figures are Salario estimates that apply cost-of-labor multipliers to that median.
- National median salary: $64,330, BLS OEWS May 2025 annual median for Educational, Guidance, and Career Counselors and Advisors; BLS mean $71,430; BLS hourly median $30.93.
- Entry-level ($46,700) and senior-level ($85,100) are Salario tiers calibrated to the BLS median; they are not BLS percentiles. BLS publishes P10/P25/P75/P90 wages for this occupation in its OEWS tables.
- Job outlook: +5% projected growth is Salario's outlook figure; compare with the BLS Employment Projections program. BLS OEWS May 2025 counts 353,310 Educational, Guidance, and Career Counselors and Advisors jobs nationwide.
- 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: Master'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 $64,330; city rows marked "BLS metro" are real OEWS metropolitan-area medians instead.
Authoritative US data sources for Guidance Counselor compensation:
- BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS), national and metro-area salary data
- BLS Occupational Outlook Handbook, Guidance 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: Guidance Counselor salary figures are statistical estimates for general guidance. Actual compensation depends on employer, location, negotiation, specific skills (Counseling, Student Assessment, Career Guidance), 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
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