National Salary Overview
Educational, Guidance, and Career Counselors and Advisors
Median Salary
$60,688
Average (Mean)
$63,696
Employed Nationwide
327,640
VS
Mental Health and Substance Abuse Social Workers
Median Salary
$53,607
Average (Mean)
$57,156
Employed Nationwide
114,690
Educational, Guidance, and Career Counselors and Advisors earns $7,080 more (13.2%)
Key Metrics Compared
Median Salary
$60,688
$53,607
Average (Mean) Salary
$63,696
$57,156
Total Employment
327,640
114,690
States with Higher Pay
40
11
Salary by State: Educational, Guidance, and Career Counselors and Advisors vs Mental Health and Substance Abuse Social Workers
Showing 51 states where both occupations have BLS data. Educational, Guidance, and Career Counselors and Advisors pays more in 40 states; Mental Health and Substance Abuse Social Workers pays more in 11.
| State | Educational, Guidance, and Career Counselors and Advisors | Mental Health and Substance Abuse Social Workers | Difference | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Alabama | $61,160 | $37,870 | +$23,290 | ||
| Alaska | $66,650 | $60,120 | +$6,530 | ||
| Arizona | $52,280 | $45,100 | +$7,180 | ||
| Arkansas | $57,780 | $45,910 | +$11,870 | ||
| California | $77,640 | $71,450 | +$6,190 | ||
| Colorado | $60,660 | $60,450 | +$210 | ||
| Connecticut | $65,400 | $78,720 | $-13,320 | ||
| Delaware | $72,240 | $54,550 | +$17,690 | ||
| District of Columbia | $70,590 | $84,560 | $-13,970 | ||
| Florida | $50,950 | $50,900 | +$50 | ||
| Georgia | $60,930 | $47,340 | +$13,590 | ||
| Hawaii | $61,660 | $55,570 | +$6,090 | ||
| Idaho | $51,410 | $48,040 | +$3,370 | ||
| Illinois | $59,970 | $49,550 | +$10,420 | ||
| Indiana | $50,670 | $50,950 | $-280 | ||
| Iowa | $53,470 | $48,850 | +$4,620 | ||
| Kansas | $51,220 | $51,660 | $-440 | ||
| Kentucky | $58,490 | $44,820 | +$13,670 | ||
| Louisiana | $64,440 | $44,300 | +$20,140 | ||
| Maine | $56,780 | $66,380 | $-9,600 | ||
| Maryland | $73,040 | $55,060 | +$17,980 | ||
| Massachusetts | $76,880 | $61,760 | +$15,120 | ||
| Michigan | $58,670 | $57,290 | +$1,380 | ||
| Minnesota | $60,660 | $65,890 | $-5,230 | ||
| Mississippi | $54,210 | $45,540 | +$8,670 | ||
| Missouri | $49,460 | $38,150 | +$11,310 | ||
| Montana | $59,860 | $39,310 | +$20,550 | ||
| Nebraska | $64,150 | $45,180 | +$18,970 | ||
| Nevada | $60,880 | $53,020 | +$7,860 | ||
| New Hampshire | $57,990 | $71,760 | $-13,770 | ||
| New Jersey | $76,270 | $69,980 | +$6,290 | ||
| New Mexico | $66,960 | $55,380 | +$11,580 | ||
| New York | $64,540 | $75,960 | $-11,420 | ||
| North Carolina | $51,920 | $53,220 | $-1,300 | ||
| North Dakota | $59,470 | $55,850 | +$3,620 | ||
| Ohio | $63,000 | $45,150 | +$17,850 | ||
| Oklahoma | $49,520 | $37,740 | +$11,780 | ||
| Oregon | $68,340 | $59,120 | +$9,220 | ||
| Pennsylvania | $64,300 | $45,700 | +$18,600 | ||
| Rhode Island | $65,040 | $66,000 | $-960 | ||
| South Carolina | $52,330 | $48,220 | +$4,110 | ||
| South Dakota | $48,640 | $43,990 | +$4,650 | ||
| Tennessee | $52,850 | $43,890 | +$8,960 | ||
| Texas | $64,750 | $45,350 | +$19,400 | ||
| Utah | $51,420 | $46,040 | +$5,380 | ||
| Vermont | $58,800 | $61,070 | $-2,270 | ||
| Virginia | $61,930 | $58,070 | +$3,860 | ||
| Washington | $80,260 | $64,850 | +$15,410 | ||
| West Virginia | $50,630 | $37,740 | +$12,890 | ||
| Wisconsin | $60,460 | $51,540 | +$8,920 | ||
| Wyoming | $63,490 | $39,090 | +$24,400 |
Frequently Asked Questions
Who makes more: Educational, Guidance, and Career Counselors and Advisors or Mental Health and Substance Abuse Social Workers?
On average across all states, a Educational, Guidance, and Career Counselors and Advisors earns more than a Mental Health and Substance Abuse Social Workers. The national median salary difference is $7,080 (13.2%) based on 2024 BLS data.
In how many states does a Educational, Guidance, and Career Counselors and Advisors earn more than a Mental Health and Substance Abuse Social Workers?
A Educational, Guidance, and Career Counselors and Advisors earns a higher median salary than a Mental Health and Substance Abuse Social Workers in 40 out of 51 states where both occupations have BLS data. A Mental Health and Substance Abuse Social Workers pays more in 11 states.
What is the median salary for a Educational, Guidance, and Career Counselors and Advisors vs Mental Health and Substance Abuse Social Workers?
The national median salary for a Educational, Guidance, and Career Counselors and Advisors is $60,688 per year, compared to $53,607 for a Mental Health and Substance Abuse Social Workers, according to 2024 BLS OEWS data.
Which has more jobs: Educational, Guidance, and Career Counselors and Advisors or Mental Health and Substance Abuse Social Workers?
There are more people employed as Educational, Guidance, and Career Counselors and Advisors. BLS reports approximately 327,640 Educational, Guidance, and Career Counselors and Advisors positions and 114,690 Mental Health and Substance Abuse Social Workers positions nationwide (2024).
Should I become a Educational, Guidance, and Career Counselors and Advisors or Mental Health and Substance Abuse Social Workers?
Both Educational, Guidance, and Career Counselors and Advisors and Mental Health and Substance Abuse Social Workers 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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