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State comparison · 2025

Educational, Guidance, and Career Counselors salary: Alabama vs California

Occupation

Educational, Guidance, and Career Counselors in California earn a median of $86,500. In Alabama, $59,570. After cost-of-living, the gap is 14.1% — not 31.1%.

Nominal pay gap
-31.1%
Alabama vs California
COL-adjusted gap
-14.1%
After BEA Regional Price Parities

Alabama

Educational, Guidance, and Career Counselors

Median
$59,570
p25
$45,590
p75
$73,450
p10
$37,670
p90
$78,570
COL index (BEA RPP)100 = US average
88.8
Hiring velocity (180d)
0%
See full breakdown for Alabama

California

Educational, Guidance, and Career Counselors

Median
$86,500
p25
$63,910
p75
$119,790
p10
$51,890
p90
$136,660
COL index (BEA RPP)100 = US average
110.7
Hiring velocity (180d)
-68%
See full breakdown for California

BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, May 2025. Cost-of-living adjustment from BEA Regional Price Parities (overall index). Hiring velocity from DOL OFLC public disclosure data, recent 180 days vs prior. See methodology.