Counselors

SOC 21-1010

The median annual wage for Counselors is $56,470, based on BLS OEWS 2023 data. The mean annual wage is $61,790, and an estimated 909,190 workers are employed in this occupation nationally. Between 2020 and 2023, pay rose +12.3% while consumer prices rose 17.7% — a real change of -4.6% (pay did not keep up with inflation).

Wage Trend & Inflation Adjustment

How the national median wage for Counselors has moved across BLS OEWS release years, and what each year's wage is worth in 2023 dollars after adjusting for CPI inflation. "Real" change strips out inflation — the truest measure of whether pay is actually rising.

National median wage trend for Counselors, nominal and inflation-adjusted, BLS OEWS.
Year Median (nominal) In 2023 $ (real) Employment
2023 $56,470 $56,470 909,190
2022 $51,180 $53,287 834,740
2021 $49,360 $55,505 781,830
2020 $50,270 $59,184 774,270

Nominal change

+12.3%

Inflation (CPI)

+17.7%

Real change

-4.6%

Wage Distribution (National, 2023)

10th, 25th, 50th (median), 75th, and 90th percentile annual wages from BLS OEWS — the full spread, not just an average.

10th Pct

$36,920

25th Pct

$44,950

Median

$56,470

75th Pct

$74,160

90th Pct

$94,950

Related Occupations in Community & Social Service

Other occupations in the same SOC major group, ranked by national median wage.

Mental Health Counselors $177,907 Social Workers, All Other $63,770 Healthcare Social Workers $62,940 Health Education Specialists $62,860 Probation Officers and Correctional Treatment Specialists $61,800 Educational, Guidance, and Career Counselors and Advisors $61,710 Clergy $58,920 Marriage and Family Therapists $58,510
All Community & Social Service occupations →
Compare with another occupation All H-1B Employers

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