National Salary Overview
Educational, Guidance, and Career Counselors and Advisors
Median Salary
$64,936
Average (Mean)
$67,913
Employed Nationwide
353,290
VS
Substance Abuse, Behavioral Disorder, and Mental Health Counselors
Median Salary
$59,385
Average (Mean)
$63,880
Employed Nationwide
487,020
Educational, Guidance, and Career Counselors and Advisors earns $5,551 more (9.3%)
Key Metrics Compared
Median Salary
$64,936
$59,385
Average (Mean) Salary
$67,913
$63,880
Total Employment
353,290
487,020
States with Higher Pay
37
14
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 37 states; Substance Abuse, Behavioral Disorder, and Mental Health Counselors pays more in 14.
| State | Educational, Guidance, and Career Counselors and Advisors | Substance Abuse, Behavioral Disorder, and Mental Health Counselors | Difference | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Alabama | $59,570 | $47,310 | +$12,260 | ||
| Alaska | $82,900 | $80,770 | +$2,130 | ||
| Arizona | $58,250 | $65,300 | $-7,050 | ||
| Arkansas | $59,770 | $51,580 | +$8,190 | ||
| California | $86,500 | $59,250 | +$27,250 | ||
| Colorado | $64,780 | $62,390 | +$2,390 | ||
| Connecticut | $73,910 | $63,590 | +$10,320 | ||
| Delaware | $74,070 | $56,020 | +$18,050 | ||
| District of Columbia | $80,470 | $60,450 | +$20,020 | ||
| Florida | $53,140 | $56,790 | $-3,650 | ||
| Georgia | $63,720 | $58,960 | +$4,760 | ||
| Hawaii | $61,730 | $60,090 | +$1,640 | ||
| Idaho | $60,320 | $63,360 | $-3,040 | ||
| Illinois | $62,420 | $60,730 | +$1,690 | ||
| Indiana | $59,260 | $53,760 | +$5,500 | ||
| Iowa | $56,540 | $60,880 | $-4,340 | ||
| Kansas | $56,590 | $59,470 | $-2,880 | ||
| Kentucky | $64,350 | $54,190 | +$10,160 | ||
| Louisiana | $61,870 | $37,910 | +$23,960 | ||
| Maine | $58,630 | $59,970 | $-1,340 | ||
| Maryland | $75,820 | $59,530 | +$16,290 | ||
| Massachusetts | $79,930 | $59,890 | +$20,040 | ||
| Michigan | $59,440 | $61,690 | $-2,250 | ||
| Minnesota | $64,600 | $58,780 | +$5,820 | ||
| Mississippi | $58,710 | $46,990 | +$11,720 | ||
| Missouri | $58,040 | $56,910 | +$1,130 | ||
| Montana | $57,900 | $59,000 | $-1,100 | ||
| Nebraska | $62,500 | $63,770 | $-1,270 | ||
| Nevada | $66,710 | $57,210 | +$9,500 | ||
| New Hampshire | $71,080 | $54,840 | +$16,240 | ||
| New Jersey | $77,910 | $62,820 | +$15,090 | ||
| New Mexico | $77,880 | $74,100 | +$3,780 | ||
| New York | $71,610 | $59,450 | +$12,160 | ||
| North Carolina | $57,630 | $55,490 | +$2,140 | ||
| North Dakota | $58,960 | $68,630 | $-9,670 | ||
| Ohio | $61,760 | $58,360 | +$3,400 | ||
| Oklahoma | $52,040 | $59,350 | $-7,310 | ||
| Oregon | $66,690 | $74,590 | $-7,900 | ||
| Pennsylvania | $60,880 | $52,010 | +$8,870 | ||
| Rhode Island | $75,000 | $65,120 | +$9,880 | ||
| South Carolina | $60,340 | $52,370 | +$7,970 | ||
| South Dakota | $51,830 | $53,650 | $-1,820 | ||
| Tennessee | $59,960 | $49,580 | +$10,380 | ||
| Texas | $67,900 | $62,630 | +$5,270 | ||
| Utah | $61,320 | $63,890 | $-2,570 | ||
| Vermont | $64,570 | $61,810 | +$2,760 | ||
| Virginia | $67,660 | $59,880 | +$7,780 | ||
| Washington | $82,670 | $68,910 | +$13,760 | ||
| West Virginia | $55,520 | $49,430 | +$6,090 | ||
| Wisconsin | $62,690 | $62,220 | +$470 | ||
| Wyoming | $63,430 | $62,980 | +$450 |
Explore This Comparison by State
Dive deeper — see how Educational, Guidance, and Career Counselors and Advisors vs Substance Abuse, Behavioral Disorder, and Mental Health Counselors 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 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 $5,551 (9.3%) based on 2025 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 37 out of 51 states where both occupations have BLS data. A Substance Abuse, Behavioral Disorder, and Mental Health Counselors pays more in 14 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 $64,936 per year, compared to $59,385 for a Substance Abuse, Behavioral Disorder, and Mental Health Counselors, according to 2025 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 353,290 Educational, Guidance, and Career Counselors and Advisors positions and 487,020 Substance Abuse, Behavioral Disorder, and Mental Health Counselors positions nationwide (2025).
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 My Resume Get Certified & Earn More Find Remote & Flexible Jobs Learn a New LanguageCompare After-Tax Take-Home Pay
See what each role actually pays after federal, state, and FICA taxes.