Educational, Guidance, and Career Counselors and Advisors Salary in Salinas, CA
In Salinas, CA, educational, guidance, and career counselors and advisors earn $97,790 at the median — $47.01 an hour. The range runs from $53K at the entry level to $158K for experienced workers. Prices run high here (RPP 109.04), so that salary is closer to $89,683 in real purchasing power. A 2-bedroom apartment runs $2,684/month — about 43.7% of take-home, which is tight.
AffordMap analysis of BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (latest release, May 2024)
So what does $98K get you in Salinas?
About educational, guidance, and career counselors and advisors
Compensation breakdown
Annual earnings by percentile, Salinas, CA
Entry-level educational, guidance, and career counselors and advisors (10th percentile) start around $53K. Mid-career wages sit at $98K.Top earners bring in $158K or more - a $105K 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 Salinas numbers change.
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Frequently asked questions
How much do educational, guidance, and career counselors and advisors make in Salinas, CA?
The median is $97,790 a year - that works out to about $47.01 an hour. The range is wide: entry-level workers start around $52,530, and experienced educational, guidance, and career counselors and advisors can clear $157,610. These are BLS numbers, based on employer-reported data, not self-reported surveys.
Is $98K enough to live in Salinas?
On that salary, you'd take home roughly $5,996/month after taxes. A 2-bedroom here rents for about $2,684/month (HUD Fair Market Rent), which eats 44.8% of your paycheck. That's above the 30% rule of thumb - housing will be a stretch at the median salary, though you can manage with roommates or a smaller place.
How far does a educational, guidance, and career counselors and advisors salary go in Salinas?
Salinas has a Regional Price Parity of 109.04 (100 is the national average). Prices are above average here, so your dollar buys less than the same salary would in a cheaper metro. After cost-of-living adjustment, the median educational, guidance, and career counselors and advisors salary is worth about $89,683 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.