Educational, Guidance, and Career Counselors and Advisors Salary in Merced, CA

BLS Occupational Employment & Wage Statistics • May 2025 • Merced, CA

Median annual salary $76,060 +16.8% vs national
Median hourly $36.57
10th percentile $54,230
90th percentile $125,530
Employed locally 350
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
Merced, CA
vs

    Salary percentile breakdown

    10th
    $54,230
    25th
    $66,810
    50th (median)
    $76,060
    75th
    $98,340
    90th
    $125,530

    Merced economic context

    Unemployment rate 9.80% 2024 annual avg • BLS LAUS
    Median household income $65,044 2023 • Census ACS
    Educational, Guidance, and Career Counselors and Advisors salary vs area income 117% Median Educational, Guidance, and Career Counselors and Advisors salary is 17% above 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
    El Centro, CA $134,820
    Oxnard-Thousand Oaks-Ventura, CA $102,130
    San Francisco-Oakland-Fremont, CA $100,960
    Santa Rosa-Petaluma, CA $100,020
    San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara, CA $99,570
    Riverside-San Bernardino-Ontario, CA $99,540

    Related occupations in Merced, CA

    OccupationMedian salary
    Child, Family, and School Social Workers$59,860
    Substance Abuse, Behavioral Disorder, and Mental Health Counselors$59,840
    Social and Human Service Assistants$48,840
    Community and Social Service Specialists, All Other$48,920
    Marriage and Family Therapists$73,440
    Rehabilitation Counselors$39,320

    Frequently asked questions

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

    The median hourly wage for Educational, Guidance, and Career Counselors and Advisors in Merced, CA is $36.57, based on BLS OEWS 2025 data. Top earners (90th percentile) make $62.81 or more per hour.

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

    The median Educational, Guidance, and Career Counselors and Advisors salary in Merced, CA is 16.8% above 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 Merced?

    Entry-level Educational, Guidance, and Career Counselors and Advisors (10th percentile) earn around $54,230 per year in Merced, CA. The 25th percentile — typically workers with 1–3 years of experience — earn approximately $66,810.