Educational, Guidance, and Career Counselors and Advisors Salary in State College, PA
In State College, PA, educational, guidance, and career counselors and advisors earn $69,070 at the median — $33.21 an hour. The range runs from $53K at the entry level to $69K for experienced workers. Adjusted for local prices (RPP 96.76), that's roughly $71,383 in purchasing power. A 2-bedroom apartment runs $1,406/month — about 30.4% of take-home, which is tight.
AffordMap analysis of BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (latest release, May 2024)
So what does $69K get you in State College?
About educational, guidance, and career counselors and advisors
Compensation breakdown
Annual earnings by percentile, State College, PA
Entry-level educational, guidance, and career counselors and advisors (10th percentile) start around $53K. Mid-career wages sit at $69K.Top earners bring in $69K or more - a $16K 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 State College numbers change.
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Frequently asked questions
How much do educational, guidance, and career counselors and advisors make in State College, PA?
The median is $69,070 a year - that works out to about $33.21 an hour. The range is wide: entry-level workers start around $53,470, and experienced educational, guidance, and career counselors and advisors can clear $69,270. These are BLS numbers, based on employer-reported data, not self-reported surveys.
Is $69K enough to live in State College?
On that salary, you'd take home roughly $4,571/month after taxes. A 2-bedroom here rents for about $1,406/month (HUD Fair Market Rent), which eats 30.8% 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 State College?
State College has a Regional Price Parity of 96.76 (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 $71,383 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.