Educational, Guidance, and Career Counselors and Advisors Salary in Hickory, NC

BLS Occupational Employment & Wage Statistics • May 2025 • Hickory-Lenoir-Morganton, NC

Median annual salary $55,410 -14.9% vs national
Median hourly $26.64
10th percentile $36,360
90th percentile $64,780
Employed locally 250
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
in
Hickory, NC
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    Salary percentile breakdown

    10th
    $36,360
    25th
    $48,040
    50th (median)
    $55,410
    75th
    $62,960
    90th
    $64,780

    Hickory economic context

    Unemployment rate 3.60% 2024 annual avg • BLS LAUS
    Median household income $60,255 2023 • Census ACS
    Educational, Guidance, and Career Counselors and Advisors salary vs area income 92% Median Educational, Guidance, and Career Counselors and Advisors salary is 8% 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
    San Francisco-Oakland-Fremont, CA $100,960
    Lincoln, NE $85,660
    Portland-Vancouver-Hillsboro, OR-WA $80,490
    Anchorage, AK $80,110
    Trenton-Princeton, NJ $76,940
    Providence-Warwick, RI-MA $75,110

    Related occupations in Hickory, NC

    OccupationMedian salary
    Child, Family, and School Social Workers $58,970
    Substance Abuse, Behavioral Disorder, and Mental Health Counselors $50,450
    Social and Human Service Assistants $38,940
    Healthcare Social Workers $59,630
    Probation Officers and Correctional Treatment Specialists $60,850
    Mental Health and Substance Abuse Social Workers $57,200

    Frequently asked questions

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

    The median hourly wage for Educational, Guidance, and Career Counselors and Advisors in Hickory, NC is $26.64, based on BLS OEWS 2025 data. Top earners (90th percentile) make $31.20 or more per hour.

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

    The median Educational, Guidance, and Career Counselors and Advisors salary in Hickory, NC is 14.9% 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 Hickory?

    Entry-level Educational, Guidance, and Career Counselors and Advisors (10th percentile) earn around $36,360 per year in Hickory, NC. The 25th percentile — typically workers with 1–3 years of experience — earn approximately $48,040.