National Salary Overview
Educational, Guidance, and Career Counselors and Advisors
Median Salary
$64,936
Average (Mean)
$67,913
Employed Nationwide
353,290
VS
Marriage and Family Therapists
Median Salary
$65,325
Average (Mean)
$70,623
Employed Nationwide
64,840
Marriage and Family Therapists earns $388 more (0.6%)
Key Metrics Compared
Median Salary
$64,936
$65,325
Average (Mean) Salary
$67,913
$70,623
Total Employment
353,290
64,840
States with Higher Pay
23
22
Salary by State: Educational, Guidance, and Career Counselors and Advisors vs Marriage and Family Therapists
Showing 45 states where both occupations have BLS data. Educational, Guidance, and Career Counselors and Advisors pays more in 23 states; Marriage and Family Therapists pays more in 22.
| State | Educational, Guidance, and Career Counselors and Advisors | Marriage and Family Therapists | Difference | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Alabama | $59,570 | $49,990 | +$9,580 | ||
| Alaska | $82,900 | $60,010 | +$22,890 | ||
| Arizona | $58,250 | $65,290 | $-7,040 | ||
| Arkansas | $59,770 | $64,340 | $-4,570 | ||
| California | $86,500 | $67,300 | +$19,200 | ||
| Colorado | $64,780 | $60,700 | +$4,080 | ||
| Connecticut | $73,910 | $86,250 | $-12,340 | ||
| Delaware | $74,070 | $76,580 | $-2,510 | ||
| Florida | $53,140 | $56,400 | $-3,260 | ||
| Georgia | $63,720 | $91,550 | $-27,830 | ||
| Hawaii | $61,730 | $141,960 | $-80,230 | ||
| Idaho | $60,320 | $62,700 | $-2,380 | ||
| Illinois | $62,420 | $60,970 | +$1,450 | ||
| Indiana | $59,260 | $56,810 | +$2,450 | ||
| Iowa | $56,540 | $67,180 | $-10,640 | ||
| Kansas | $56,590 | $68,710 | $-12,120 | ||
| Kentucky | $64,350 | $52,420 | +$11,930 | ||
| Maine | $58,630 | $71,680 | $-13,050 | ||
| Maryland | $75,820 | $69,900 | +$5,920 | ||
| Massachusetts | $79,930 | $67,370 | +$12,560 | ||
| Michigan | $59,440 | $52,270 | +$7,170 | ||
| Minnesota | $64,600 | $72,470 | $-7,870 | ||
| Mississippi | $58,710 | $51,440 | +$7,270 | ||
| Missouri | $58,040 | $60,440 | $-2,400 | ||
| Montana | $57,900 | $46,960 | +$10,940 | ||
| Nebraska | $62,500 | $62,610 | $-110 | ||
| New Hampshire | $71,080 | $60,030 | +$11,050 | ||
| New Jersey | $77,910 | $92,150 | $-14,240 | ||
| New Mexico | $77,880 | $70,630 | +$7,250 | ||
| New York | $71,610 | $64,430 | +$7,180 | ||
| North Carolina | $57,630 | $48,100 | +$9,530 | ||
| Ohio | $61,760 | $70,240 | $-8,480 | ||
| Oklahoma | $52,040 | $57,670 | $-5,630 | ||
| Oregon | $66,690 | $91,520 | $-24,830 | ||
| Pennsylvania | $60,880 | $66,040 | $-5,160 | ||
| South Carolina | $60,340 | $55,430 | +$4,910 | ||
| South Dakota | $51,830 | $44,870 | +$6,960 | ||
| Tennessee | $59,960 | $46,700 | +$13,260 | ||
| Texas | $67,900 | $46,300 | +$21,600 | ||
| Utah | $61,320 | $84,980 | $-23,660 | ||
| Vermont | $64,570 | $62,780 | +$1,790 | ||
| Virginia | $67,660 | $79,900 | $-12,240 | ||
| Washington | $82,670 | $60,000 | +$22,670 | ||
| West Virginia | $55,520 | $55,700 | $-180 | ||
| Wisconsin | $62,690 | $37,870 | +$24,820 |
Explore This Comparison by State
Dive deeper — see how Educational, Guidance, and Career Counselors and Advisors vs Marriage and Family Therapists salaries differ in each state, with local data and national benchmarks.
Frequently Asked Questions
Who makes more: Educational, Guidance, and Career Counselors and Advisors or Marriage and Family Therapists?
On average across all states, a Marriage and Family Therapists earns more than a Educational, Guidance, and Career Counselors and Advisors. The national median salary difference is $388 (0.6%) based on 2025 BLS data.
In how many states does a Educational, Guidance, and Career Counselors and Advisors earn more than a Marriage and Family Therapists?
A Educational, Guidance, and Career Counselors and Advisors earns a higher median salary than a Marriage and Family Therapists in 23 out of 45 states where both occupations have BLS data. A Marriage and Family Therapists pays more in 22 states.
What is the median salary for a Educational, Guidance, and Career Counselors and Advisors vs Marriage and Family Therapists?
The national median salary for a Educational, Guidance, and Career Counselors and Advisors is $64,936 per year, compared to $65,325 for a Marriage and Family Therapists, according to 2025 BLS OEWS data.
Which has more jobs: Educational, Guidance, and Career Counselors and Advisors or Marriage and Family Therapists?
There are more people employed as Educational, Guidance, and Career Counselors and Advisors. BLS reports approximately 353,290 Educational, Guidance, and Career Counselors and Advisors positions and 64,840 Marriage and Family Therapists positions nationwide (2025).
Should I become a Educational, Guidance, and Career Counselors and Advisors or Marriage and Family Therapists?
Both Educational, Guidance, and Career Counselors and Advisors and Marriage and Family Therapists are viable career paths. Beyond salary, consider factors like job availability in your state, work-life balance, education requirements, growth potential, and personal interests. Visit each occupation's salary page for state-specific data and career insights.
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