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

BLS Occupational Employment & Wage Statistics • May 2025 • Santa Maria-Santa Barbara, CA

Median annual salary $84,660 +30% vs national
Median hourly $40.70
10th percentile $55,570
90th percentile $135,420
Employed locally 760
National median $65,140

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

Type a city below to see how Santa Maria, CA stacks up on salary and cost of living.

Full tool →
Educational, Guidance, and Career Counselors and Advisors
in
Santa Maria, CA
vs

    Salary percentile breakdown

    10th
    $55,570
    25th
    $66,520
    50th (median)
    $84,660
    75th
    $108,530
    90th
    $135,420

    Santa Maria economic context

    Unemployment rate 4.50% 2024 annual avg • BLS LAUS
    Median household income $95,977 2023 • Census ACS
    Educational, Guidance, and Career Counselors and Advisors salary vs area income 88% Median Educational, Guidance, and Career Counselors and Advisors salary is 12% 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 Maria, CA

    OccupationMedian salary
    Substance Abuse, Behavioral Disorder, and Mental Health Counselors$72,380
    Social and Human Service Assistants$54,170
    Child, Family, and School Social Workers$59,020
    Marriage and Family Therapists$72,150
    Rehabilitation Counselors$45,610
    Healthcare Social Workers$93,430

    Frequently asked questions

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

    The median hourly wage for Educational, Guidance, and Career Counselors and Advisors in Santa Maria, CA is $40.70, based on BLS OEWS 2025 data. Top earners (90th percentile) make $60.86 or more per hour.

    Is Santa Maria 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 Maria, CA is 30% 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 Maria?

    Entry-level Educational, Guidance, and Career Counselors and Advisors (10th percentile) earn around $55,570 per year in Santa Maria, CA. The 25th percentile — typically workers with 1–3 years of experience — earn approximately $66,520.