Educational, Guidance, and Career Counselors and Advisors vs. Substance Abuse, Behavioral Disorder, and Mental Health Counselors: Who Earns More?
Educational, Guidance, and Career Counselors and Advisors out-earn Substance Abuse, Behavioral Disorder, and Mental Health Counselors by $5K a year at the national median, per BLS OEWS May 2025. Educational, Guidance, and Career Counselors and Advisors land at $64,330 and Substance Abuse, Behavioral Disorder, and Mental Health Counselors at $59,350. The education gap is real: educational, guidance, and career counselors and advisor programs typically require master's degree, while substance abuse, behavioral disorder, and mental health counselor programs require master's degree. Top-paying state for Educational, Guidance, and Career Counselors and Advisors is California ($86,500); for Substance Abuse, Behavioral Disorder, and Mental Health Counselors it's Alaska ($80,770).
Pay by state
States where both occupations have BLS data, sorted by Educational, Guidance, and Career Counselors and Advisors median pay.
Source: BLS OEWS May 2025. Highlighted value is higher in each row.
Common questions
Who earns more, Educational, Guidance, and Career Counselors and Advisors or Substance Abuse, Behavioral Disorder, and Mental Health Counselors?
Educational, Guidance, and Career Counselors and Advisors earn more nationally. The median is $64,330 for Educational, Guidance, and Career Counselors and Advisors versus $59,350 for Substance Abuse, Behavioral Disorder, and Mental Health Counselors, a difference of $5K. Per BLS OEWS May 2025.
Which has better job growth, Educational, Guidance, and Career Counselors and Advisors or Substance Abuse, Behavioral Disorder, and Mental Health Counselors?
Substance Abuse, Behavioral Disorder, and Mental Health Counselors has the better 10-year outlook at 16.8% projected growth, compared to 3.5% for the other field. Both are from BLS Employment Projections.
Which requires more education, Educational, Guidance, and Career Counselors and Advisors or Substance Abuse, Behavioral Disorder, and Mental Health Counselors?
Educational, Guidance, and Career Counselors and Advisors typically requires master's degree. Substance Abuse, Behavioral Disorder, and Mental Health Counselors requires master's degree. Education requirements vary by employer and state licensing board.
Where do Educational, Guidance, and Career Counselors and Advisors get paid the most?
California is the top-paying state for Educational, Guidance, and Career Counselors and Advisors at $86,500/year, per BLS OEWS May 2025. Major metro areas within that state typically pay even more than the state average.
How does Educational, Guidance, and Career Counselors and Advisors vs. Substance Abuse, Behavioral Disorder, and Mental Health Counselors pay differ by state?
The gap varies significantly by state. In Alaska, Educational, Guidance, and Career Counselors and Advisors earn $82,900 vs. $80,770 for Substance Abuse, Behavioral Disorder, and Mental Health Counselors. See the state comparison table on this page for the full picture.