Educational, Guidance, and Career Counselors and Advisors Salary in Columbus, GA-AL
In Columbus, GA-AL, educational, guidance, and career counselors and advisors earn $58,970 at the median — $28.35 an hour. The range runs from $40K at the entry level to $100K for experienced workers. Cost of living is below average (RPP 89.3), which stretches that salary to about $66,036 in buying power. Rent on a 2-bedroom averages $1,088/month, or 28.1% of estimated take-home pay.
AffordMap analysis of BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (latest release, May 2024)
So what does $59K get you in Columbus?
About educational, guidance, and career counselors and advisors
Compensation breakdown
Annual earnings by percentile, Columbus, GA-AL
Entry-level educational, guidance, and career counselors and advisors (10th percentile) start around $40K. Mid-career wages sit at $59K.Top earners bring in $100K or more - a $60K spread from bottom to top.
Educational, Guidance, and Career Counselors and Advisors pay across states
Median income ranked highest to lowest, compared to the national figure
| State | Median salary | vs. national | Employment |
|---|---|---|---|
| California | $94K | +45% | 44,160 |
| Washington | $84K | +29% | 5,910 |
| District of Columbia | $80K | +23% | 1,800 |
| Alaska | $80K | +23% | 660 |
| Massachusetts | $79K | +21% | 11,850 |
| New Jersey | $78K | +20% | 7,590 |
| New Mexico | $76K | +17% | 1,760 |
| Maryland | $75K | +15% | 6,210 |
| Oregon | $74K | +14% | 3,330 |
| Delaware | $72K | +11% | 1,750 |
| Rhode Island | $72K | +10% | 1,400 |
| Connecticut | $70K | +8% | 3,670 |
| New York | $70K | +7% | 22,660 |
| New Hampshire | $68K | +5% | 1,530 |
| Virginia | $67K | +3% | 8,810 |
Track educational, guidance, and career counselors and advisors salary changes
BLS updates this data quarterly. We'll email you when Columbus numbers change.
Related careers in Community & Social
Frequently asked questions
How much do educational, guidance, and career counselors and advisors make in Columbus, GA-AL?
The median is $58,970 a year - that works out to about $28.35 an hour. The range is wide: entry-level workers start around $40,360, and experienced educational, guidance, and career counselors and advisors can clear $100,190. These are BLS numbers, based on employer-reported data, not self-reported surveys.
Is $59K enough to live in Columbus?
On that salary, you'd take home roughly $3,886/month after taxes. A 2-bedroom here rents for about $1,088/month (HUD Fair Market Rent), which eats 28% of your paycheck. That's under the 30% guideline most financial planners use, so the numbers work.
How far does a educational, guidance, and career counselors and advisors salary go in Columbus?
Columbus has a Regional Price Parity of 89.3 (100 is the national average). That's below average - your money stretches further here than the raw salary number suggests. After cost-of-living adjustment, the median educational, guidance, and career counselors and advisors salary is worth about $66,036 in national-average purchasing power.
Where do educational, guidance, and career counselors and advisors get paid the most?
The table above ranks every state by median pay for this role. Keep in mind that the highest-paying states tend to have the highest costs of living, so the top salary doesn't always mean the most money in your pocket.