Tennessee Median
$59,960
per year
Hourly Rate
$28.83
based on 2,080 hrs/yr
vs National
-7% vs US median
US median $64,330
State Rank
#34 of 51
6,470 employed here
How much do Educational, Guidance, and Career Counselors and Advisors make in Tennessee?
Educational, Guidance, and Career Counselors and Advisors in Tennessee take home a median of $59,960 annually — roughly $28.83 an hour — which runs 7% below the national median of $64,330.
Within Tennessee, entry-level pay starts around $42,410 while the top 10% make $84,550 or more. The middle 50% of earners fall between $48,460 and $69,820 a year.
Educational, Guidance, and Career Counselors and Advisors salary range in Tennessee
| Pay level | Annual salary | Hourly rate | |
|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $42,410 | $20.39 |
|
| 25th percentile (early career) | $48,460 | $23.30 |
|
| 50th percentile (median) | $59,960 | $28.83 |
|
| 75th percentile (experienced) | $69,820 | $33.57 |
|
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $84,550 | $40.65 |
|
How Tennessee compares
Tennessee ranks 34th 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 $60,320Arkansas $59,770Alabama $59,570Michigan $59,440Indiana $59,260North Dakota $58,960Mississippi $58,710Maine $58,630Arizona $58,250Missouri $58,040Montana $57,900North Carolina $57,630Kansas $56,590Iowa $56,540West Virginia $55,520Florida $53,140Oklahoma $52,040South Dakota $51,830
Working as Educational, Guidance, and Career Counselors and Advisors in Tennessee
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 Tennessee pay ($59,960) 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 Tennessee?
The median Educational, Guidance, and Career Counselors and Advisors salary in Tennessee is $59,960 per year, or about $28.83 per hour, per official BLS state wage estimates. Salaries typically range from $42,410 at the entry level to $84,550 for the top 10% of earners.
How does Tennessee pay compare to the national average?
Tennessee pays Educational, Guidance, and Career Counselors and Advisors about 7% less than the national median of $64,330. Tennessee ranks 34th out of 51 states and territories reporting this occupation.
Is Tennessee a good state for Educational, Guidance, and Career Counselors and Advisors?
Pay runs below the national median here, at $59,960 a year. About 6,470 Educational, Guidance, and Career Counselors and Advisors are employed in Tennessee. 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 Tennessee?
The highest-paying occupations in Tennessee include Cardiologist ($610,080), Dermatologist ($433,630), Surgeon, All Other ($373,510), 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.