Educational, Guidance, and Career Counselors and Advisors Salary in Ames, IA

BLS Occupational Employment & Wage Statistics • May 2025 • Ames, IA

Median annual salary $48,570 -25.4% vs national
Median hourly $23.35
10th percentile $48,570
90th percentile $74,470
Employed locally 400
National median $65,140

Compare Educational, Guidance, and Career Counselors and Advisors salary & buying power

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Educational, Guidance, and Career Counselors and Advisors
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Ames, IA
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    Salary percentile breakdown

    10th
    $48,570
    25th
    $48,570
    50th (median)
    $48,570
    75th
    $59,830
    90th
    $74,470

    Ames economic context

    Unemployment rate 2.40% 2024 annual avg • BLS LAUS
    Median household income $71,090 2023 • Census ACS
    Educational, Guidance, and Career Counselors and Advisors salary vs area income 68% Median Educational, Guidance, and Career Counselors and Advisors salary is 32% below the area median household income

    Top-paying metros for Educational, Guidance, and Career Counselors and Advisors

    Metro areaMedian salary
    El Centro, CA $134,820
    Bremerton-Silverdale-Port Orchard, WA $109,390
    Grand Island, NE $108,030
    Oxnard-Thousand Oaks-Ventura, CA $102,130
    San Francisco-Oakland-Fremont, CA $100,960
    Santa Rosa-Petaluma, CA $100,020

    Nearby metros — Educational, Guidance, and Career Counselors and Advisors salary comparison

    Metro areaMedian salary
    North Coast Region of California nonmetropolitan area $95,540
    California $94,320
    Olympia-Lacey-Tumwater, WA $86,530
    Santa Maria-Santa Barbara, CA $84,660
    Visalia, CA $83,760
    North Valley-Northern Mountains Region of California nonmetropolitan area $81,850

    Related occupations in Ames, IA

    OccupationMedian salary
    Social and Human Service Assistants $37,000
    Child, Family, and School Social Workers $44,950
    Substance Abuse, Behavioral Disorder, and Mental Health Counselors $66,320
    Mental Health and Substance Abuse Social Workers $42,920
    Healthcare Social Workers $62,500

    Frequently asked questions

    How much do Educational, Guidance, and Career Counselors and Advisors make per hour in Ames?

    The median hourly wage for Educational, Guidance, and Career Counselors and Advisors in Ames, IA is $23.35, based on BLS OEWS 2025 data. Top earners (90th percentile) make $35.34 or more per hour.

    Is Ames above or below average for Educational, Guidance, and Career Counselors and Advisors salaries?

    The median Educational, Guidance, and Career Counselors and Advisors salary in Ames, IA is 25.4% below the national median of $65,140. The national figure is from BLS OEWS 2025 data covering all US metropolitan areas.

    What is the entry-level salary for Educational, Guidance, and Career Counselors and Advisors in Ames?

    Entry-level Educational, Guidance, and Career Counselors and Advisors (10th percentile) earn around $48,570 per year in Ames, IA. The 25th percentile — typically workers with 1–3 years of experience — earn approximately $48,570.