What are the main factors that influence a Counselor's salary?

The primary factors are: 1) Experience Level, 2) Geographic Location, 3) Education/Skills, 4) Company Size & Industry

How does experience change A Counselor's salary?

A Counselor's salary grows with experience: starting around $69,487 for beginners, reaching about $70,504 at mid-level, and approach $74,272 for experts.

What are the highest paying states for a Counselor?

Counselor salary varies significantly by state. The top 3 highest paying states for Counselor roles are District of Columbia $71,351, California $71,081, Massachusetts $70,133. These tech hubs typically pay 10-15% above the national average.

How much do different types of Counselor roles make?

Salaries for Counselor level roles vary by specialization: Genetics Counselor: $98,298; Residential Counselor: $75,381; Drug Counselor: $65,901; Addiction Counselor: $65,900; Licensed Professional Counselor (LCPC): $64,443.

Counselor Salary in District of Columbia

How much does a Counselor make in District of Columbia?

As of June 01, 2026, the average salary for a Counselor in District of Columbia is $71,351 per year, which breaks down to an hourly rate of $34.

However, a Counselor's salary can vary significantly. Here’s a look at the typical salary range:

Top Earners (90th percentile): $88,347
Majority Range (25th-75th percentile): $65,675 to $80,248
Entry-Level (10th percentile): $60,506

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Counselor Salaries by Percentile

	Annual Salary	Monthly Pay	Weekly Pay	Hourly Wage
75th Percentile	$80,248	$6,687	$1,543	$39
Average	$71,351	$5,946	$1,372	$34
25th Percentile	$65,675	$5,473	$1,263	$32

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Key Factors That Influence Counselor Salaries

A Counselor's salary isn't a fixed number. It's shaped by several important factors. Below, we'll explore how your years of experience, geographic location and company size can directly affect your earning potential.

How Experience Level Affects Counselor Salaries?

Experience is a primary driver of a Counselor's salary. As you build your skills and take on more complex tasks, your compensation generally increases. Here's how the average salary grows at different career stages:

Entry-Level (less than 1 year): $69,487
Early Career (1-2 years): $69,911
Mid-Level (2-4 years): $70,504
Senior-Level (5-8 years): $71,617
Expert (over 8 years): $74,272

Levels	Salary
Entry Level Counselor	$69,487
Intermediate Level Counselor	$69,911
Senior Level Counselor	$70,504
Specialist Level Counselor	$71,617
Expert Level Counselor	$74,272

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What Am I Worth?

How Do Counselor Salaries Vary from State to State?

Your salary can change significantly depending on where you work. States with a higher cost of living and strong industrial sectors often pay more to attract Counselors. For example, consider the average annual salaries in these key locations:

District of Columbia: $71,351.
California: $71,081.
Massachusetts: $70,133.

District of Columbia $71,351 California $71,081 Massachusetts $70,133 Washington $69,876 New Jersey $69,850 Alaska $69,760 Connecticut $68,870 New York $68,509

Hawaii $67,356 Rhode Island $66,815 Maryland $66,447 Minnesota $65,945 Colorado $65,751 Illinois $65,687 Oregon $65,442 Delaware $65,261

New Hampshire $65,148 Virginia $64,894 Pennsylvania $64,153 Nevada $63,779 North Dakota $63,657 Michigan $63,463 Wisconsin $63,393 Vermont $63,251

Texas $62,858 Maine $62,832 Arizona $62,793 Ohio $62,748 Georgia $62,155 Indiana $61,859 Wyoming $61,801 Utah $61,711

Iowa $61,672 Kansas $61,363 Louisiana $61,272 North Carolina $61,240 Missouri $61,227 Florida $60,976 Montana $60,841 Nebraska $60,712

Kentucky $60,641 South Carolina $60,383 Tennessee $60,222 Idaho $60,158 New Mexico $59,687 Oklahoma $59,584 Alabama $59,204 South Dakota $58,566

Arkansas $58,218 West Virginia $58,031 Mississippi $57,470

Top Paying Cities for Counselors

Salaries can also vary between different cities. Major metropolitan areas or cities with a high demand for technicians often offer more competitive pay. Here are a few examples of average annual salaries in different U.S. cities:

Parcel Return Service: $70,964
Washington: $70,965
Naval Anacost Annex: $70,961

Parcel Return Service, DC $70,964 Washington, DC $70,965 Naval Anacost Annex, DC $70,961 Washington Navy Yard, DC $70,964

Counselor Salary: Hourly Rate, Weekly Pay, and Monthly Pay

Understanding how a Counselor's annual salary breaks down can help with budgeting. Below, you can see the average hourly rate, weekly pay, and monthly pay for this role. Use the buttons to switch between different pay periods.

Last Updated on June 01, 2026

$65,675

Average $71,351/year

$80,248

$5,473

Average $5,946/month

$6,687

$1,263

Average $1,372/week

$1,543

$32

Average $34/hour

$39

	Annual Salary	Monthly Pay	Weekly Pay	Hourly Wage
75th Percentile	$80,248	$6,687	$1,543	$39
Average	$71,351	$5,946	$1,372	$34
25th Percentile	$65,675	$5,473	$1,263	$32

Counselor Salary Growth & Career Path

Counselor

Psychologist - M.A.

Psychological Services Director

For a Counselor, the most direct path to higher earnings is advancing to the Psychologist - M.A. role. This promotion typically comes with a significant pay increase, bringing the average annual salary to $105,439 - a projected growth of 48% over your current level.

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