Educational, Guidance, and Career Counselors and Advisors Salary in Santa Cruz, CA

BLS Occupational Employment & Wage Statistics • May 2025 • Santa Cruz-Watsonville, CA

Median annual salary $83,300 +27.9% vs national
Median hourly $40.05
10th percentile $60,500
90th percentile $137,230
Employed locally 470
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
Santa Cruz, CA
vs

    Salary percentile breakdown

    10th
    $60,500
    25th
    $67,860
    50th (median)
    $83,300
    75th
    $110,060
    90th
    $137,230

    Santa Cruz economic context

    Unemployment rate 5.90% 2024 annual avg • BLS LAUS
    Median household income $109,266 2023 • Census ACS
    Educational, Guidance, and Career Counselors and Advisors salary vs area income 76% Median Educational, Guidance, and Career Counselors and Advisors salary is 24% 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
    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 Santa Cruz, CA

    OccupationMedian salary
    Substance Abuse, Behavioral Disorder, and Mental Health Counselors $58,310
    Social and Human Service Assistants $51,590
    Child, Family, and School Social Workers $61,310
    Rehabilitation Counselors $50,400
    Healthcare Social Workers $93,230
    Community and Social Service Specialists, All Other $61,910

    Frequently asked questions

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

    The median hourly wage for Educational, Guidance, and Career Counselors and Advisors in Santa Cruz, CA is $40.05, based on BLS OEWS 2025 data. Top earners (90th percentile) make $63.07 or more per hour.

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

    The median Educational, Guidance, and Career Counselors and Advisors salary in Santa Cruz, CA is 27.9% 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 Santa Cruz?

    Entry-level Educational, Guidance, and Career Counselors and Advisors (10th percentile) earn around $60,500 per year in Santa Cruz, CA. The 25th percentile — typically workers with 1–3 years of experience — earn approximately $67,860.