Iowa Median
$56,540
per year
Hourly Rate
$27.18
based on 2,080 hrs/yr
vs National
-12% vs US median
US median $64,330
State Rank
#47 of 51
3,690 employed here
How much do Educational, Guidance, and Career Counselors and Advisors make in Iowa?
Educational, Guidance, and Career Counselors and Advisors in Iowa take home a median of $56,540 annually — roughly $27.18 an hour — which runs 12% below the national median of $64,330.
Within Iowa, entry-level pay starts around $43,470 while the top 10% make $77,110 or more. The middle 50% of earners fall between $48,310 and $65,820 a year.
Educational, Guidance, and Career Counselors and Advisors salary range in Iowa
| Pay level | Annual salary | Hourly rate | |
|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $43,470 | $20.90 |
|
| 25th percentile (early career) | $48,310 | $23.23 |
|
| 50th percentile (median) | $56,540 | $27.18 |
|
| 75th percentile (experienced) | $65,820 | $31.64 |
|
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $77,110 | $37.07 |
|
How Iowa compares
Iowa ranks 47th out of 51 states and territories for Educational, Guidance, and Career Counselors and Advisors pay. The top 5 best-paying states:
Educational, Guidance, and Career Counselors and Advisors salary in other states
California $86,500Alaska $82,900Washington $82,670District of Columbia $80,470Massachusetts $79,930New Jersey $77,910New Mexico $77,880Maryland $75,820Rhode Island $75,000Delaware $74,070Connecticut $73,910New York $71,610New Hampshire $71,080Texas $67,900Virginia $67,660Nevada $66,710Oregon $66,690Colorado $64,780Minnesota $64,600Vermont $64,570Kentucky $64,350Georgia $63,720Wyoming $63,430Wisconsin $62,690Nebraska $62,500Illinois $62,420Louisiana $61,870Ohio $61,760Hawaii $61,730Utah $61,320Pennsylvania $60,880South Carolina $60,340Idaho $60,320Tennessee $59,960Arkansas $59,770Alabama $59,570Michigan $59,440Indiana $59,260North Dakota $58,960Mississippi $58,710Maine $58,630Arizona $58,250Missouri $58,040Montana $57,900North Carolina $57,630Kansas $56,590West Virginia $55,520Florida $53,140Oklahoma $52,040South Dakota $51,830
Working as Educational, Guidance, and Career Counselors and Advisors in Iowa
Nationally, about 353,000 people work as Educational, Guidance, and Career Counselors and Advisors in the United States. A bachelor's degree (about 4 years of college) is the standard entry requirement.
Considering a move? Compare Iowa pay ($56,540) against the highest-paying state above, and weigh the difference against housing and everyday costs — a smaller paycheck in a cheaper state can stretch further.
Frequently asked questions
How much do Educational, Guidance, and Career Counselors and Advisors make in Iowa?
The median Educational, Guidance, and Career Counselors and Advisors salary in Iowa is $56,540 per year, or about $27.18 per hour, per official BLS state wage estimates. Salaries typically range from $43,470 at the entry level to $77,110 for the top 10% of earners.
How does Iowa pay compare to the national average?
Iowa pays Educational, Guidance, and Career Counselors and Advisors about 12% less than the national median of $64,330. Iowa ranks 47th out of 51 states and territories reporting this occupation.
Is Iowa a good state for Educational, Guidance, and Career Counselors and Advisors?
Pay runs below the national median here, at $56,540 a year. About 3,690 Educational, Guidance, and Career Counselors and Advisors are employed in Iowa. A lower cost of living can offset the smaller paycheck, so compare take-home value, not just salary.
What are the highest-paying jobs in Iowa?
The highest-paying occupations in Iowa include Emergency Medicine Physician ($429,050), Dermatologist ($424,970), Radiologist ($405,220), based on median annual pay in official BLS state estimates.
← See the national Educational, Guidance, and Career Counselors and Advisors salary report
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Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS), Unknown vintage. Education requirements: O*NET (U.S. Department of Labor). State figures are official BLS state-level wage estimates. Where BLS suppresses a state percentile, it is scaled from the official national distribution. Individual pay varies by employer, metro area, and experience.