EN

Occupation · SOC 21-1012

Educational, Guidance, and Career Counselors and Advisors

There are 353,310 jobs in the U.S. Median pay is $64,330 a year. The most jobs are in New York–Newark–Jersey City, NY–NJ.

Community & Social ServiceTypical education: Master's degree
353,310
Jobs in the U.S.
People employed, May 2025
$64,330
Median pay a year
Middle half: $51,270–$82,870
27,800
Annual openings
10-year change: +2.9%
346
LCA filings, last 4 quarters
+9.1% from the prior 4 quarters

Metro areas with the highest employment

10 of 385 metro areas with BLS data for this occupation. LCA filings: Apr 2025–Mar 2026.

Metro areaEmploymentMedian payLCA filings
New York–Newark–Jersey City, NY–NJMedian pay $77,580 · LCA filings 2619,890$77,58026
Los Angeles–Long Beach–Anaheim, CAMedian pay $79,000 · LCA filings 2017,110$79,00020
Chicago–Naperville–Elgin, IL–INMedian pay $64,730 · LCA filings 89,790$64,7308
Boston–Cambridge–Newton, MA–NHMedian pay $80,760 · LCA filings 178,170$80,76017
Dallas–Fort Worth–Arlington, TXMedian pay $76,380 · LCA filings 97,980$76,3809
Washington–Arlington–Alexandria, DC–VA–MD–WVMedian pay $77,420 · LCA filings 87,260$77,4208
Philadelphia–Camden–Wilmington, PA–NJ–DE–MDMedian pay $66,190 · LCA filings 97,050$66,1909
Atlanta–Sandy Springs–Roswell, GAMedian pay $67,730 · LCA filings 146,550$67,73014
Houston–Pasadena–The Woodlands, TXMedian pay $75,930 · LCA filings 26,480$75,9302
Miami–Fort Lauderdale–West Palm Beach, FLMedian pay $57,110 · LCA filings 56,250$57,1105

Metro areas with the highest median pay

Median pay for this occupation in each metro area, May 2025.

Metro areaMedian payEmploymentLCA filings
El Centro, CAEmployment 200 · LCA filings 0$141,7602000
Grand Island, NEEmployment 90 · LCA filings 0$109,480900
Bremerton–Silverdale–Port Orchard, WAEmployment 150 · LCA filings 0$102,6501500
Odessa, TXEmployment 120 · LCA filings 0$101,8101200
Yuba City, CAEmployment 140 · LCA filings 0$101,3501400

Metro areas with the most LCA filings

Labor Condition Applications filed by employers with the U.S. Department of Labor, Apr 2025–Mar 2026. They’re used in the H-1B process and show filing history, not hires or current job openings.

Metro areaLCA filingsEmployers with LCA filingsEmployment
New York–Newark–Jersey City, NY–NJEmployers with LCA filings 18 · Employment 19,890261819,890
Los Angeles–Long Beach–Anaheim, CAEmployers with LCA filings 17 · Employment 17,110201717,110
Boston–Cambridge–Newton, MA–NHEmployers with LCA filings 15 · Employment 8,17017158,170
Atlanta–Sandy Springs–Roswell, GAEmployers with LCA filings 3 · Employment 6,5501436,550
Austin–Round Rock–San Marcos, TXEmployers with LCA filings 6 · Employment 3,5001263,500

Prevailing wage levels (H-1B and PERM)

The minimum yearly wage by level. Level I is entry level and Level IV is fully competent; an H-1B employer must pay at least the level that fits the job.

Metro areaLevel ILevel IILevel IIILevel IV
New York–Newark–Jersey City, NY–NJLevel II $69,014 · Level III $83,242 · Level IV $97,490$54,766$69,014$83,242$97,490
Los Angeles–Long Beach–Anaheim, CALevel II $72,197 · Level III $89,814 · Level IV $107,411$54,600$72,197$89,814$107,411
Chicago–Naperville–Elgin, IL–INLevel II $61,318 · Level III $74,048 · Level IV $86,757$48,610$61,318$74,048$86,757
Boston–Cambridge–Newton, MA–NHLevel II $74,027 · Level III $87,173 · Level IV $100,339$60,861$74,027$87,173$100,339
Dallas–Fort Worth–Arlington, TXLevel II $61,859 · Level III $74,651 · Level IV $87,443$49,067$61,859$74,651$87,443
Washington–Arlington–Alexandria, DC–VA–MD–WVLevel II $69,264 · Level III $82,846 · Level IV $96,408$55,702$69,264$82,846$96,408
Philadelphia–Camden–Wilmington, PA–NJ–DE–MDLevel II $61,589 · Level III $72,072 · Level IV $82,576$51,085$61,589$72,072$82,576
Atlanta–Sandy Springs–Roswell, GALevel II $59,488 · Level III $72,613 · Level IV $85,758$46,342$59,488$72,613$85,758
Houston–Pasadena–The Woodlands, TXLevel II $61,610 · Level III $74,194 · Level IV $86,778$49,026$61,610$74,194$86,778
Miami–Fort Lauderdale–West Palm Beach, FLLevel II $50,253 · Level III $60,362 · Level IV $70,491$40,123$50,253$60,362$70,491
Austin–Round Rock–San Marcos, TXLevel II $54,454 · Level III $64,043 · Level IV $73,632$44,866$54,454$64,043$73,632

Source: U.S. Department of Labor, OFLC Online Wage Library, July 2026–June 2027.

Related majors

Majors most closely related to this occupation. International graduates: 2024–25 academic year.

MajorInternational graduatesSTEM OPT
Student Counseling and Personnel ServicesCIP 13.11OPT · up to 12 months323OPT · up to 12 months
Clinical, Counseling and Applied PsychologyCIP 42.28Varies by program1,361Varies by program
Psychology, GeneralCIP 42.01 · Usually needs more educationOPT · up to 12 months3,319OPT · up to 12 months

See Educational, Guidance, and Career Counselors and Advisors in every metro area

All 385 metro areas, pay in each, related majors, schools in each job market, and employers with LCA filing history.

Employers with LCA filings for this occupation

See every metro area →

Find jobs on Where They Hire

U.S. jobsJobs abroadCompanies

Related occupations · Community & Social Service

Substance Abuse, Behavioral Disorder, and Mental Health CounselorsSocial and Human Service AssistantsChild, Family, and School Social WorkersClergyHealthcare Social WorkersDirectors, Religious Activities and EducationMental Health and Substance Abuse Social WorkersReligious Workers, All Other

Sources: BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS), May 2025 · BLS Employment Projections 2025-35 · U.S. Department of Labor LCA disclosure data, Apr 2025–Mar 2026 · IPEDS 2024–25. Prevailing wages: U.S. Department of Labor, OFLC Online Wage Library, July 2026–June 2027. Methodology