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METRO DATA PROFILE · 2024

Educational, Guidance, and Career Counselors salary in Columbus, Ohio

Metro-level median, range, and employment from BLS Occupational Employment Statistics for the Columbus metropolitan area. Skills and task data from O*NET. State and national figures shown for context.

Adrian Serafin, founder and editor of RateOrchardBy Adrian SerafinFounderUpdated April 30, 2026
Median annual$62,550
Mean annual$71,260
Range (10th to 90th)$46,950 to $104,250
Columbus, Ohio employment2,370
State vs national-8.0% vs national

Salary distribution

Where Columbus educational, guidance, and career counselors fall on the wage curve.

Annual wage distribution

Shaded band = interquartile range (where most full-time workers fall)

10TH$46,95025TH$50,430MEDIAN$62,55075TH$89,76090TH$104,250

The middle 50% of workers earn between $50,430 and $89,760, with a median of $62,550.

Typical entry

  • Education

    Master's degree

  • Experience

    None

  • On-the-job training

    None

Top skills (O*NET)

  • Therapy and Counseling

    Knowledge

    4.8 / 5
  • Active Listening

    Basic skill

    4.4 / 5
  • Social Perceptiveness

    Technical

    4.3 / 5
  • Speaking

    Basic skill

    4.3 / 5
  • Oral Expression

    Ability

    4.3 / 5
  • Psychology

    Knowledge

    4.2 / 5
  • Reading Comprehension

    Basic skill

    4.1 / 5
  • Service Orientation

    Technical

    4.1 / 5

Common tasks (O*NET)

  1. 01

    Provide crisis intervention to students when difficult situations occur at schools.

  2. 02

    Confer with parents or guardians, teachers, administrators, and other professionals to discuss children's progress, resolve behavioral, academic, and other problems, and to determine priorities for students and their resource needs.

  3. 03

    Identify cases of domestic abuse or other family problems and encourage students or parents to seek additional assistance from mental health professionals.

  4. 04

    Counsel individuals to help them understand and overcome personal, social, or behavioral problems affecting their educational or vocational situations.

  5. 05

    Counsel students regarding educational issues, such as course and program selection, class scheduling and registration, school adjustment, truancy, study habits, and career planning.

  6. 06

    Review transcripts to ensure that students meet graduation or college entrance requirements, and write letters of recommendation.

  7. 07

    Maintain accurate and complete student records as required by laws, district policies, and administrative regulations.

  8. 08

    Provide students with information on topics such as college degree programs and admission requirements, financial aid opportunities, trade and technical schools, and apprenticeship programs.

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Other metros in Ohio

How the Columbus metro compares to other major Ohio metro areas for educational, guidance, and career counselors.

Frequently asked questions

What is the median salary for Educational, Guidance, and Career Counselors in Columbus, Ohio?
According to BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, the median annual wage for Educational, Guidance, and Career Counselors in the Columbus metropolitan area is $62,550.
Does Columbus pay more than the Ohio state average for Educational, Guidance, and Career Counselors?
The Columbus metro median is +1.0% versus the Ohio state median of $61,960.
How does Columbus compare to the national median for Educational, Guidance, and Career Counselors?
The Columbus metro median is -8.0% versus the BLS national figure of $68,023.
What is the salary range for Educational, Guidance, and Career Counselors in Columbus?
BLS reports the 10th-percentile annual wage at $46,950 and the 90th-percentile at $104,250 for the Columbus metro area.
What education is required for Educational, Guidance, and Career Counselors?
BLS lists the typical entry-level education as Master's degree. Many employers also weigh prior experience and credentials.
Disclaimer

Information on this page is for general educational purposes only. It is not career, financial, or tax advice. BLS metro estimates reflect the Columbus CBSA boundary for the reference year shown and may not match individual offers, employer-specific ranges, or current market conditions. Confirm with a licensed professional before making career or compensation decisions.