Educational, Guidance, and Career Counselors and Advisors Salary in Washington (2026)

Official state-level BLS pay data for Educational, Guidance, and Career Counselors and Advisors in Washington, plus how it compares with the rest of the country.

Official BLS state wage data · Unknown vintage
Washington Median
$82,670
per year
Hourly Rate
$39.75
based on 2,080 hrs/yr
vs National
+29% vs US median
US median $64,330
State Rank
#3 of 51
6,610 employed here

How much do Educational, Guidance, and Career Counselors and Advisors make in Washington?

Educational, Guidance, and Career Counselors and Advisors working in Washington earn a median salary of $82,670 per year, or about $39.75 per hour. That is 29% above the national median of $64,330 for this occupation.

Within Washington, entry-level pay starts around $57,980 while the top 10% make $125,950 or more. The middle 50% of earners fall between $65,470 and $104,690 a year.

Educational, Guidance, and Career Counselors and Advisors salary range in Washington

Pay levelAnnual salaryHourly rate
10th percentile (entry level)$57,980$27.88
25th percentile (early career)$65,470$31.48
50th percentile (median)$82,670$39.75
75th percentile (experienced)$104,690$50.33
90th percentile (top earners)$125,950$60.55

How Washington compares

Washington ranks 3rd out of 51 states and territories for Educational, Guidance, and Career Counselors and Advisors pay. The top 5 best-paying states:

RankStateMedian salary
1California$86,500
2Alaska$82,900
3Washington$82,670
4District of Columbia$80,470
5Massachusetts$79,930

Working as Educational, Guidance, and Career Counselors and Advisors in Washington

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 Washington pay ($82,670) 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 Washington?
The median Educational, Guidance, and Career Counselors and Advisors salary in Washington is $82,670 per year, or about $39.75 per hour, per official BLS state wage estimates. Salaries typically range from $57,980 at the entry level to $125,950 for the top 10% of earners.
How does Washington pay compare to the national average?
Washington pays Educational, Guidance, and Career Counselors and Advisors about 29% more than the national median of $64,330. Washington ranks 3rd out of 51 states and territories reporting this occupation.
Is Washington a good state for Educational, Guidance, and Career Counselors and Advisors?
Yes on pay — Washington pays above the national median for this occupation, at $82,670 a year. About 6,610 Educational, Guidance, and Career Counselors and Advisors are employed in Washington. Weigh that against local housing and living costs before moving.
What are the highest-paying jobs in Washington?
The highest-paying occupations in Washington include Cardiologist ($656,330), Orthopedic Surgeon, Except Pediatric ($553,310), Dermatologist ($526,170), 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.