National Salary Overview
Educational, Guidance, and Career Counselors and Advisors
Median Salary
$64,936
Average (Mean)
$67,913
Employed Nationwide
353,290
VS
Mental Health and Substance Abuse Social Workers
Median Salary
$57,161
Average (Mean)
$62,053
Employed Nationwide
132,190
Educational, Guidance, and Career Counselors and Advisors earns $7,775 more (13.6%)
Key Metrics Compared
Median Salary
$64,936
$57,161
Average (Mean) Salary
$67,913
$62,053
Total Employment
353,290
132,190
States with Higher Pay
42
9
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 42 states; Mental Health and Substance Abuse Social Workers pays more in 9.
| State | Educational, Guidance, and Career Counselors and Advisors | Mental Health and Substance Abuse Social Workers | Difference | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Alabama | $59,570 | $41,500 | +$18,070 | ||
| Alaska | $82,900 | $56,710 | +$26,190 | ||
| Arizona | $58,250 | $46,380 | +$11,870 | ||
| Arkansas | $59,770 | $58,590 | +$1,180 | ||
| California | $86,500 | $79,000 | +$7,500 | ||
| Colorado | $64,780 | $65,620 | $-840 | ||
| Connecticut | $73,910 | $78,640 | $-4,730 | ||
| Delaware | $74,070 | $60,060 | +$14,010 | ||
| District of Columbia | $80,470 | $73,310 | +$7,160 | ||
| Florida | $53,140 | $51,590 | +$1,550 | ||
| Georgia | $63,720 | $52,030 | +$11,690 | ||
| Hawaii | $61,730 | $54,390 | +$7,340 | ||
| Idaho | $60,320 | $52,520 | +$7,800 | ||
| Illinois | $62,420 | $49,960 | +$12,460 | ||
| Indiana | $59,260 | $48,300 | +$10,960 | ||
| Iowa | $56,540 | $48,530 | +$8,010 | ||
| Kansas | $56,590 | $56,330 | +$260 | ||
| Kentucky | $64,350 | $42,570 | +$21,780 | ||
| Louisiana | $61,870 | $47,100 | +$14,770 | ||
| Maine | $58,630 | $57,050 | +$1,580 | ||
| Maryland | $75,820 | $73,580 | +$2,240 | ||
| Massachusetts | $79,930 | $62,500 | +$17,430 | ||
| Michigan | $59,440 | $60,830 | $-1,390 | ||
| Minnesota | $64,600 | $75,020 | $-10,420 | ||
| Mississippi | $58,710 | $48,970 | +$9,740 | ||
| Missouri | $58,040 | $49,560 | +$8,480 | ||
| Montana | $57,900 | $45,160 | +$12,740 | ||
| Nebraska | $62,500 | $43,240 | +$19,260 | ||
| Nevada | $66,710 | $62,900 | +$3,810 | ||
| New Hampshire | $71,080 | $63,900 | +$7,180 | ||
| New Jersey | $77,910 | $66,590 | +$11,320 | ||
| New Mexico | $77,880 | $65,640 | +$12,240 | ||
| New York | $71,610 | $79,380 | $-7,770 | ||
| North Carolina | $57,630 | $58,210 | $-580 | ||
| North Dakota | $58,960 | $60,980 | $-2,020 | ||
| Ohio | $61,760 | $46,080 | +$15,680 | ||
| Oklahoma | $52,040 | $43,120 | +$8,920 | ||
| Oregon | $66,690 | $68,210 | $-1,520 | ||
| Pennsylvania | $60,880 | $48,290 | +$12,590 | ||
| Rhode Island | $75,000 | $60,990 | +$14,010 | ||
| South Carolina | $60,340 | $39,930 | +$20,410 | ||
| South Dakota | $51,830 | $48,920 | +$2,910 | ||
| Tennessee | $59,960 | $46,500 | +$13,460 | ||
| Texas | $67,900 | $46,630 | +$21,270 | ||
| Utah | $61,320 | $50,770 | +$10,550 | ||
| Vermont | $64,570 | $73,210 | $-8,640 | ||
| Virginia | $67,660 | $64,240 | +$3,420 | ||
| Washington | $82,670 | $70,460 | +$12,210 | ||
| West Virginia | $55,520 | $50,070 | +$5,450 | ||
| Wisconsin | $62,690 | $61,860 | +$830 | ||
| Wyoming | $63,430 | $59,310 | +$4,120 |
Explore This Comparison by State
Dive deeper — see how Educational, Guidance, and Career Counselors and Advisors vs Mental Health and Substance Abuse Social Workers 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 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 $7,775 (13.6%) based on 2025 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 42 out of 51 states where both occupations have BLS data. A Mental Health and Substance Abuse Social Workers pays more in 9 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 $64,936 per year, compared to $57,161 for a Mental Health and Substance Abuse Social Workers, according to 2025 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 353,290 Educational, Guidance, and Career Counselors and Advisors positions and 132,190 Mental Health and Substance Abuse Social Workers positions nationwide (2025).
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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