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Guidance counselor: pay, job outlook and how to become one

Updated October 23, 2026. Based on U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics and O*NET data. Published by Humblebee.

$64,330median pay per year, or $30.93 an hour, May 2025[1]
  1. $45,020lowest 10% earn less
  2. $51,27025th percentile
  3. $64,330median
  4. $82,87075th percentile
  5. $104,770top 10% earn more
Middle half of workers in the inner band[3]Median for all US jobs, $50,980[4]

The median pay for educational, guidance, and career counselors and advisors was $64,330 a year in May 2025[1]. A master's degree is the typical entry education[2].

Job growth, 2025–35
+2.9%[5]
Openings per year
27,800[6]
Typical entry education
Master's degree[2]

How much do guidance counselors make?

The official BLS category is Educational, Guidance, and Career Counselors and Advisors. Its median pay was $64,330 a year, or $30.93 an hour[1]. Half of workers earned more and half earned less[1]. The mean was $71,430 a year, or $34.34 an hour[7].

All occupations in the US had a median of $50,980 a year[4]. So the median for this group was higher than the median for all occupations[1][4].

The range is wide. The lowest-paid 10% earned less than $45,020 a year, and the lowest-paid 25% earned less than $51,270[3]. The highest-paid 25% earned more than $82,870, and the highest-paid 10% earned more than $104,770[3]. BLS does not publish a starting salary. It publishes percentile wages, which are boundaries in the pay range[8].

Hourly pay at the same points was $21.65 (10th percentile), $24.65 (25th), $39.84 (75th) and $50.37 (90th)[9].

Measure Annual pay Fact
10th percentile[3] $45,020
25th percentile[3] $51,270
Median[1] $64,330
75th percentile[3] $82,870
90th percentile[3] $104,770

These figures cover part-time and full-time workers paid a wage or salary. They leave out the self-employed, bonuses that are not tied to production, and the cost of benefits such as health insurance[10].

Pay by state and city

California had the highest median pay at $86,500 a year, followed by Alaska at $82,900 and Washington at $82,670[11]. California also had the most jobs, at 45,140[11].

The states with the most jobs were California (45,140), Texas (31,730), New York (23,380), Florida (22,800) and Illinois (13,580)[12]. Florida's median was $53,140 and Texas's was $67,900[11].

Among metro areas with at least 100 jobs, El Centro, CA had the highest median at $141,760[13]. Bremerton-Silverdale-Port Orchard, WA was next at $102,650, then Odessa, TX at $101,810[13].

The metro areas with the most jobs were New York-Newark-Jersey City with 19,890 and Los Angeles-Long Beach-Anaheim with 17,110[14]. Their medians were $77,580 and $79,000[14].

Show median pay in 50 states and DC
StateMedian per yearJobs
California[11]$86,50045,140
Alaska$82,900540
Washington$82,6706,610
District of Columbia$80,4701,690
Massachusetts$79,93011,460
New Jersey$77,9108,190
New Mexico$77,8801,780
Maryland$75,8206,600
Rhode Island$75,0001,340
Delaware$74,0701,700
Connecticut$73,9103,370
New York$71,61023,380
New Hampshire$71,0801,650
Texas$67,90031,730
Virginia$67,6609,450
Nevada$66,7102,250
Oregon$66,6903,990
Colorado$64,7806,530
Minnesota$64,6004,200
Vermont$64,5701,120
Kentucky$64,3505,030
Georgia$63,72011,460
Wyoming$63,430770
Wisconsin$62,6905,330
Nebraska$62,5002,190
Illinois$62,42013,580
Louisiana$61,8704,820
Ohio$61,76013,250
Hawaii$61,7301,620
Utah$61,3204,070
Pennsylvania$60,88013,570
South Carolina$60,3406,460
Idaho$60,3201,990
Tennessee$59,9606,470
Arkansas$59,7702,310
Alabama$59,5704,410
Michigan$59,4409,170
Indiana$59,2605,610
North Dakota$58,960840
Mississippi$58,7102,620
Maine$58,6301,780
Arizona$58,2507,330
Missouri$58,0408,890
Montana$57,900890
North Carolina$57,6309,430
Kansas$56,5903,100
Iowa$56,5403,690
West Virginia$55,5201,260
Florida$53,14022,800
Oklahoma$52,0404,830
South Dakota$51,8301,000

How to become a guidance counselor

BLS lists a master's degree as the typical education for entry. It lists no work experience in a related job and no on-the-job training[2]. The steps below come from the BLS handbook profile for school and career counselors and advisors.

1) Earn a master's degree[2]. For school counselors, nearly all states and DC require one, usually in a field such as counseling or psychology[15]. Some employers want career counselors to have a master's in counseling with a career focus[16]. 2) Complete supervised experience[17]. Master's programs in counseling usually include a period of it, such as an internship[17]. 3) Get a state credential if you want to work in a public school[18]. The credential goes by different names depending on the state, such as certification, license or endorsement[18]. It typically calls for a master's degree in school counseling, a supervised internship or practicum, and passing a test[18]. 4) Check state rules[19]. Some employers prefer or require classroom teaching experience or a teaching license before certification[19]. In most states, getting the credential also involves a criminal background check[19].

Some states require licensure for career counselors, so check with your state[20]. Information on state licensing boards is available from CareerOneStop[21].

Academic and career advisors have a different route. Employers may prefer a bachelor's degree and work experience for these jobs[16]. Some professional associations offer optional certifications for them[22].

The facts here do not say how long the training takes.

What guidance counselors do

O*NET describes the work as advising and assisting students and giving educational and vocational guidance[23]. Typical tasks include:

BLS names three useful qualities. Analytical skills help counselors read student data and assessments[25]. Compassion matters because they work with people in stressful situations[26]. Interpersonal skills help them build working relationships with students, clients and other professionals[27].

Job titles that workers reported to O*NET include academic advisor, admissions counselor, career counselor, college counselor and school counselor[28].

Where they work

Local elementary and secondary schools were the largest employer, with 38% of jobs[29]. Both school and career counselors and advisors usually work full time[30]. Those in schools and colleges may not work when school is out, such as in the summer[30].

Only 0.6% of these workers were self-employed in 2025[31].

Job outlook

BLS projects employment to grow 2.9% from 2025 to 2035[5]. That means about 11,400 more jobs, from roughly 389,500 to 400,900[5]. Employment in all occupations is projected to grow 3.5% over the same years[32]. So growth for this group is a little below the all-occupations rate[5][32].

BLS projects about 27,800 openings a year on average[6]. Openings include jobs created when workers retire or move to other occupations, not only new jobs[6]. Each year, 2.8% of workers leave the labor force and 4% move to a different occupation[33].

The projection counts include self-employed workers. The wage counts do not, so the two job totals differ[5][34]. OEWS counted about 353,310 wage and salary jobs in May 2025[34].

Is it a good fit?

The facts point to a field with pay above the all-occupations median and a wide range of earnings[1][4][3]. Entry usually takes a master's degree, and public school work needs a state credential[2][18]. Growth is projected at 2.9%, a little below the 3.5% for all jobs, but about 27,800 openings a year are expected[5][32][6]. Pay differs a lot by state, so check local figures and your state's credential rules before you plan[11][18].

Related occupations from O*NET, with BLS median pay and projected growth[35].

Frequently asked questions

How much does a guidance counselor make an hour?
The median was $30.93 an hour in May 2025, and the mean was $34.34[1][7].
What degree do you need to be a guidance counselor?
BLS lists a master's degree as the typical entry education[2]. Nearly all states and DC require one for school counselors[15].
Is guidance counseling in demand?
Employment is projected to grow 2.9% from 2025 to 2035, compared with 3.5% for all occupations[5][32]. About 27,800 openings a year are projected[6].
What is the highest paying state for guidance counselors?
California, with a median of $86,500 a year[11].

Facts and sources

  1. BLS OEWS, May 2025: the median wage for Educational, Guidance, and Career Counselors and Advisors in the US was $64,330 per year and $30.93 per hour. Half of workers earned more and half earned less. BLS OEWS, May 2025
  2. BLS Employment Projections, typical path into Educational, Guidance, and Career Counselors and Advisors: education needed for entry: Master's degree; work experience in a related occupation: None; typical on-the-job training: None. BLS Employment Projections
  3. BLS OEWS, May 2025, annual wage percentiles for Educational, Guidance, and Career Counselors and Advisors: 10th percentile $45,020, 25th percentile $51,270, 75th percentile $82,870, 90th percentile $104,770. The 10th percentile means 10% of workers earned less. BLS OEWS, May 2025
  4. BLS OEWS, May 2025: the median annual wage for all occupations in the US was $50,980. BLS OEWS, May 2025
  5. BLS Employment Projections: employment of Educational, Guidance, and Career Counselors and Advisors is projected to grow 2.9% from 2025 to 2035, from about 389,500 to 400,900 jobs (a change of +11,400). These counts include self-employed workers. BLS Employment Projections
  6. BLS Employment Projections: about 27,800 openings for Educational, Guidance, and Career Counselors and Advisors are projected each year, on average, from 2025 to 2035. Openings include jobs that open when workers retire or move to other occupations, not only new jobs. BLS Employment Projections
  7. BLS OEWS, May 2025: the mean (average) wage for Educational, Guidance, and Career Counselors and Advisors was $71,430 per year and $34.34 per hour. BLS OEWS, May 2025
  8. BLS OEWS FAQ: a percentile wage is a boundary. The median (50th percentile) separates the highest-paid 50% from the lowest-paid 50% of workers in the occupation. OEWS publishes percentile wages, not a starting salary. BLS OEWS, May 2025
  9. BLS OEWS, May 2025, hourly wage percentiles for Educational, Guidance, and Career Counselors and Advisors: 10th percentile $21.65, 25th percentile $24.65, 75th percentile $39.84, 90th percentile $50.37. BLS OEWS, May 2025
  10. BLS OEWS FAQ: OEWS covers part-time and full-time workers paid a wage or salary. It does not cover the self-employed, owners and partners in unincorporated firms, household workers or unpaid family workers. OEWS wages do not include nonproduction bonuses or employer costs of benefits such as health insurance or retirement contributions. BLS OEWS, May 2025
  11. Median annual wage for Educational, Guidance, and Career Counselors and Advisors in every state with published data, May 2025 (table on this page). BLS OEWS, May 2025
  12. BLS OEWS, May 2025, states with the most Educational, Guidance, and Career Counselors and Advisors jobs: California 45,140; Texas 31,730; New York 23,380; Florida 22,800; Illinois 13,580. BLS OEWS, May 2025
  13. BLS OEWS, May 2025, metro areas with the highest median annual wage for Educational, Guidance, and Career Counselors and Advisors (areas with at least 100 jobs): El Centro, CA $141,760; Bremerton-Silverdale-Port Orchard, WA $102,650; Odessa, TX $101,810; Yuba City, CA $101,350; Fresno, CA $101,280; Sacramento-Roseville-Folsom, CA $100,930; Oxnard-Thousand Oaks-Ventura, CA $100,790; Hanford-Corcoran, CA $100,390. BLS OEWS, May 2025
  14. BLS OEWS, May 2025, metro areas with the most Educational, Guidance, and Career Counselors and Advisors jobs: New York-Newark-Jersey City, NY-NJ 19,890 (median $77,580); Los Angeles-Long Beach-Anaheim, CA 17,110 (median $79,000); Chicago-Naperville-Elgin, IL-IN 9,790 (median $64,730); Boston-Cambridge-Newton, MA-NH 8,170 (median $80,760); Dallas-Fort Worth-Arlington, TX 7,980 (median $76,380); Washington-Arlington-Alexandria, DC-VA-MD-WV 7,260 (median $77,420). BLS OEWS, May 2025
  15. Occupational Outlook Handbook, How to Become One: Education. BLS Occupational Outlook Handbook
  16. Occupational Outlook Handbook, How to Become One: Education. BLS Occupational Outlook Handbook
  17. Occupational Outlook Handbook, How to Become One: Education. BLS Occupational Outlook Handbook
  18. Occupational Outlook Handbook, How to Become One: Licenses, Certifications, and Registrations. BLS Occupational Outlook Handbook
  19. Occupational Outlook Handbook, How to Become One: Licenses, Certifications, and Registrations. BLS Occupational Outlook Handbook
  20. Occupational Outlook Handbook, How to Become One: Licenses, Certifications, and Registrations. BLS Occupational Outlook Handbook
  21. Occupational Outlook Handbook, How to Become One: Licenses, Certifications, and Registrations. BLS Occupational Outlook Handbook
  22. Occupational Outlook Handbook, How to Become One: Licenses, Certifications, and Registrations. BLS Occupational Outlook Handbook
  23. O*NET description of Educational, Guidance, and Career Counselors and Advisors. O*NET OnLine
  24. O*NET task list for Educational, Guidance, and Career Counselors and Advisors. O*NET OnLine
  25. Occupational Outlook Handbook, How to Become One: Important Qualities. BLS Occupational Outlook Handbook
  26. Occupational Outlook Handbook, How to Become One: Important Qualities. BLS Occupational Outlook Handbook
  27. Occupational Outlook Handbook, How to Become One: Important Qualities. BLS Occupational Outlook Handbook
  28. O*NET 21-1012.00 sample job titles reported by workers: Academic Advisor, Academic Counselor, Admissions Counselor, Career Counselor, College Counselor, Elementary School Counselor, Guidance Counselor, School Counselor. O*NET OnLine
  29. BLS Occupational Outlook Handbook, largest employers of school and career counselors and advisors in 2025: Elementary and secondary schools; local 38%. BLS Occupational Outlook Handbook
  30. Occupational Outlook Handbook, Work Environment: Work Schedules. BLS Occupational Outlook Handbook
  31. BLS Employment Projections: 0.6% of Educational, Guidance, and Career Counselors and Advisors were self-employed in 2025. BLS Employment Projections
  32. BLS Employment Projections: employment in all occupations is projected to grow 3.5% from 2025 to 2035. BLS Employment Projections
  33. BLS Employment Projections, 2025-35 annual average for Educational, Guidance, and Career Counselors and Advisors: 2.8% of workers leave the labor force each year and 4% move to a different occupation. BLS Employment Projections
  34. BLS OEWS, May 2025: about 353,310 people were employed as Educational, Guidance, and Career Counselors and Advisors in the US (wage and salary jobs, not counting self-employed workers). BLS OEWS, May 2025
  35. Related occupations (O*NET) with BLS pay, growth and entry education. O*NET OnLine

Notes are for reading the data only. They are not facts and cannot be cited: use the wage_scope and percentile_meaning facts instead. OEWS employment (jobs in May 2025) and Employment Projections employment (2025, includes self-employed) are different measures and can differ. O*NET education shares come from a small survey of workers in the occupation, not from all workers.

This page includes information from the O*NET 31.0 Database by the U.S. Department of Labor, Employment and Training Administration (USDOL/ETA). Used under the CC BY 4.0 license. O*NET® is a trademark of USDOL/ETA. CareerFacts has modified all or some of this information. USDOL/ETA has not approved, endorsed, or tested these modifications.