How much does a counselor make?
Median yearly pay in the United States: half earn more and half earn less. That is $24.45 an hour or $4,238 a month.
- Hourly
- $24.45
- Average (mean)
- $58,210
- Jobs
- 28,580
| Percentile | Yearly | Hourly | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 10th | $36,240 | $17.42 | |
| 25th | $43,680 | $21.00 | |
| Median | $50,860 | $24.45 | |
| 75th | $66,520 | $31.98 | |
| 90th | $91,940 | $44.20 |
By state
Median yearly pay.
| District of Columbia | $93,720 |
| Utah | $93,530 |
| Georgia | $79,490 |
| Oregon | $78,750 |
| Virginia | $76,450 |
| New Jersey | $73,360 |
| Wisconsin | $71,390 |
| North Dakota | $69,860 |
| Washington | $69,530 |
| Colorado | $66,680 |
| Hawaii | $65,470 |
| Maine | $62,190 |
| Iowa | $61,080 |
| Arizona | $59,910 |
| Pennsylvania | $59,160 |
| New York | $58,500 |
| Massachusetts | $58,240 |
| Vermont | $56,220 |
| South Carolina | $55,140 |
| Texas | $54,450 |
| Mississippi | $54,090 |
| Connecticut | $53,310 |
| North Carolina | $52,280 |
| Tennessee | $51,900 |
| Illinois | $49,360 |
| Arkansas | $49,310 |
| Delaware | $48,990 |
| California | $48,850 |
| Louisiana | $47,830 |
| New Hampshire | $47,770 |
| Minnesota | $47,740 |
| Alabama | $47,580 |
| Maryland | $46,840 |
| Florida | $45,880 |
| Ohio | $45,840 |
| Nevada | $45,440 |
| Indiana | $45,360 |
| Alaska | $45,060 |
| West Virginia | $44,810 |
| Missouri | $43,680 |
| Nebraska | $40,530 |
| Kentucky | $40,230 |
| Montana | $39,260 |
| Michigan | $37,390 |
Highest paying cities
Metro areas, median yearly pay.
| Trenton, NJ | $107,300 |
| Richmond, VA | $98,850 |
| Ogden, UT | $93,180 |
| San Luis Obispo, CA | $91,940 |
| San Jose, CA | $83,930 |
| Atlanta, GA | $79,490 |
| Portland, OR | $78,740 |
| Denver, CO | $77,000 |
| Des Moines, IA | $73,380 |
| Harrisburg, PA | $71,970 |
| Seattle, WA | $71,650 |
| Washington, DC | $70,610 |
| Madison, WI | $70,300 |
| Salt Lake City, UT | $69,780 |
| Colorado Springs, CO | $66,910 |
In other countries
Counselor belongs to the international group "Social work and counselling professionals".
Compare pay in 140 countriesSimilar jobs
- Educational$64,330
- Marriage and Family Therapist$66,940
- Rehabilitation Counselor$46,850
- Substance Abuse$59,350
- Child$59,550
- Healthcare Social Worker$67,880
- Mental Health and Substance Abuse Social Worker$60,280
- Social Worker$71,900
- Health Education Specialist$64,070
- Probation Officer and Correctional Treatment Specialist$66,270
Frequently asked questions
How much does a counselor make an hour?
The median hourly pay is $24.45 ($50,860 a year).
How much does a counselor make a month?
About $4,238 a month before tax, based on a median of $50,860 a year.
How much does a counselor make starting out?
The lowest-paid 10% make $36,240 or less a year ($17.42 an hour); the top 10% make $91,940 or more.
Which state pays counselors the most?
District of Columbia, with a median of $93,720 a year, followed by Utah ($93,530) and Georgia ($79,490).
Which city pays counselors the most?
Trenton-Princeton, NJ, with a median of $107,300 a year.
How many counselors are there in the United States?
About 28,580 people work as counselors.
Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS): pay in May 2025, published by BLS in 2026. Hourly pay is the yearly figure divided by 2,080 hours.