National Salary Overview
Educational, Guidance, and Career Counselors and Advisors
Median Salary
$60,688
Average (Mean)
$63,696
Employed Nationwide
327,640
VS
Substance Abuse, Behavioral Disorder, and Mental Health Counselors
Median Salary
$54,035
Average (Mean)
$58,677
Employed Nationwide
397,880
Educational, Guidance, and Career Counselors and Advisors earns $6,653 more (12.3%)
Key Metrics Compared
Median Salary
$60,688
$54,035
Average (Mean) Salary
$63,696
$58,677
Total Employment
327,640
397,880
States with Higher Pay
43
8
Salary by State: Educational, Guidance, and Career Counselors and Advisors vs Substance Abuse, Behavioral Disorder, and Mental Health Counselors
Showing 51 states where both occupations have BLS data. Educational, Guidance, and Career Counselors and Advisors pays more in 43 states; Substance Abuse, Behavioral Disorder, and Mental Health Counselors pays more in 8.
| State | Educational, Guidance, and Career Counselors and Advisors | Substance Abuse, Behavioral Disorder, and Mental Health Counselors | Difference | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Alabama | $61,160 | $44,890 | +$16,270 | ||
| Alaska | $66,650 | $70,860 | $-4,210 | ||
| Arizona | $52,280 | $58,640 | $-6,360 | ||
| Arkansas | $57,780 | $56,730 | +$1,050 | ||
| California | $77,640 | $58,080 | +$19,560 | ||
| Colorado | $60,660 | $58,110 | +$2,550 | ||
| Connecticut | $65,400 | $58,710 | +$6,690 | ||
| Delaware | $72,240 | $45,810 | +$26,430 | ||
| District of Columbia | $70,590 | $64,270 | +$6,320 | ||
| Florida | $50,950 | $52,260 | $-1,310 | ||
| Georgia | $60,930 | $48,290 | +$12,640 | ||
| Hawaii | $61,660 | $46,740 | +$14,920 | ||
| Idaho | $51,410 | $58,360 | $-6,950 | ||
| Illinois | $59,970 | $57,500 | +$2,470 | ||
| Indiana | $50,670 | $45,510 | +$5,160 | ||
| Iowa | $53,470 | $59,000 | $-5,530 | ||
| Kansas | $51,220 | $50,990 | +$230 | ||
| Kentucky | $58,490 | $47,060 | +$11,430 | ||
| Louisiana | $64,440 | $36,430 | +$28,010 | ||
| Maine | $56,780 | $53,900 | +$2,880 | ||
| Maryland | $73,040 | $54,460 | +$18,580 | ||
| Massachusetts | $76,880 | $54,920 | +$21,960 | ||
| Michigan | $58,670 | $56,160 | +$2,510 | ||
| Minnesota | $60,660 | $51,130 | +$9,530 | ||
| Mississippi | $54,210 | $42,010 | +$12,200 | ||
| Missouri | $49,460 | $48,130 | +$1,330 | ||
| Montana | $59,860 | $52,490 | +$7,370 | ||
| Nebraska | $64,150 | $58,320 | +$5,830 | ||
| Nevada | $60,880 | $57,580 | +$3,300 | ||
| New Hampshire | $57,990 | $54,470 | +$3,520 | ||
| New Jersey | $76,270 | $60,250 | +$16,020 | ||
| New Mexico | $66,960 | $62,120 | +$4,840 | ||
| New York | $64,540 | $59,740 | +$4,800 | ||
| North Carolina | $51,920 | $51,790 | +$130 | ||
| North Dakota | $59,470 | $61,240 | $-1,770 | ||
| Ohio | $63,000 | $50,580 | +$12,420 | ||
| Oklahoma | $49,520 | $57,190 | $-7,670 | ||
| Oregon | $68,340 | $62,070 | +$6,270 | ||
| Pennsylvania | $64,300 | $50,450 | +$13,850 | ||
| Rhode Island | $65,040 | $46,030 | +$19,010 | ||
| South Carolina | $52,330 | $47,480 | +$4,850 | ||
| South Dakota | $48,640 | $48,520 | +$120 | ||
| Tennessee | $52,850 | $45,490 | +$7,360 | ||
| Texas | $64,750 | $52,190 | +$12,560 | ||
| Utah | $51,420 | $62,870 | $-11,450 | ||
| Vermont | $58,800 | $56,980 | +$1,820 | ||
| Virginia | $61,930 | $54,590 | +$7,340 | ||
| Washington | $80,260 | $58,540 | +$21,720 | ||
| West Virginia | $50,630 | $44,140 | +$6,490 | ||
| Wisconsin | $60,460 | $58,740 | +$1,720 | ||
| Wyoming | $63,490 | $62,990 | +$500 |
Frequently Asked Questions
Who makes more: Educational, Guidance, and Career Counselors and Advisors or Substance Abuse, Behavioral Disorder, and Mental Health Counselors?
On average across all states, a Educational, Guidance, and Career Counselors and Advisors earns more than a Substance Abuse, Behavioral Disorder, and Mental Health Counselors. The national median salary difference is $6,653 (12.3%) based on 2024 BLS data.
In how many states does a Educational, Guidance, and Career Counselors and Advisors earn more than a Substance Abuse, Behavioral Disorder, and Mental Health Counselors?
A Educational, Guidance, and Career Counselors and Advisors earns a higher median salary than a Substance Abuse, Behavioral Disorder, and Mental Health Counselors in 43 out of 51 states where both occupations have BLS data. A Substance Abuse, Behavioral Disorder, and Mental Health Counselors pays more in 8 states.
What is the median salary for a Educational, Guidance, and Career Counselors and Advisors vs Substance Abuse, Behavioral Disorder, and Mental Health Counselors?
The national median salary for a Educational, Guidance, and Career Counselors and Advisors is $60,688 per year, compared to $54,035 for a Substance Abuse, Behavioral Disorder, and Mental Health Counselors, according to 2024 BLS OEWS data.
Which has more jobs: Educational, Guidance, and Career Counselors and Advisors or Substance Abuse, Behavioral Disorder, and Mental Health Counselors?
There are more people employed as Substance Abuse, Behavioral Disorder, and Mental Health Counselors. BLS reports approximately 327,640 Educational, Guidance, and Career Counselors and Advisors positions and 397,880 Substance Abuse, Behavioral Disorder, and Mental Health Counselors positions nationwide (2024).
Should I become a Educational, Guidance, and Career Counselors and Advisors or Substance Abuse, Behavioral Disorder, and Mental Health Counselors?
Both Educational, Guidance, and Career Counselors and Advisors and Substance Abuse, Behavioral Disorder, and Mental Health Counselors 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.
Explore Career Options
Build a Professional Resume Get Certified & Earn More Learn a New Language Build In-Demand Tech Skills Explore Top Courses Advance Your CareerCompare After-Tax Take-Home Pay
See what each role actually pays after federal, state, and FICA taxes.