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State comparison · 2025

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

Occupation

Educational, Guidance, and Career Counselors in California earn a median of $86,500. In Virginia, $67,660. After cost-of-living, the gap is 16.8% — not 27.8%.

Nominal pay gap
+27.8%
California vs Virginia
COL-adjusted gap
+16.8%
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

Virginia

Educational, Guidance, and Career Counselors

Median
$67,660
p25
$55,880
p75
$83,440
p10
$45,700
p90
$103,380
COL index (BEA RPP)100 = US average
101.1
Hiring velocity (180d)
-56%
See full breakdown for Virginia

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.