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State comparison · 2025

Educational, Guidance, and Career Counselors salary: California vs North Dakota

Occupation

Educational, Guidance, and Career Counselors in California earn a median of $86,500. In North Dakota, $58,960. After cost-of-living, the gap is 18% — not 46.7%.

Nominal pay gap
+46.7%
California vs North Dakota
COL-adjusted gap
+18%
After BEA Regional Price Parities

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

North Dakota

Educational, Guidance, and Career Counselors

Median
$58,960
p25
$49,870
p75
$73,860
p10
$46,860
p90
$79,500
COL index (BEA RPP)100 = US average
89.0
Hiring velocity (180d)
-50%
See full breakdown for North Dakota

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.