Adjunct Counselor Salary in the United States

How much does an Adjunct Counselor make in the United States?

As of May 18, 2021, the average salary for an Adjunct Counselor in the United States is $63,082 per year, which breaks down to an hourly rate of $30.

However, an Adjunct Counselor's salary can vary significantly. Here’s a look at the typical salary range:

  • Top Earners (90th percentile): $81,062
  • Majority Range (25th-75th percentile): $55,812 to $72,493
  • Entry-Level (10th percentile): $49,194
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View as table View as graph 25% $55,812 10% $49,194 90% $81,062 75% $72,493 $63,082 50%(Median) Didn’t find job title? Click

Adjunct Counselor Salaries by Percentile

Annual
Salary
Monthly
Pay
Weekly
Pay
Hourly
Wage
75th Percentile $72,493 $6,041 $1,394 $35
Average $63,082 $5,257 $1,213 $30
25th Percentile $55,812 $4,651 $1,073 $27
Check out Adjunct Counselor Job Openings in the United States
Mental Health Counselor

TK Health - GREAT FALLS, MT

Masters Level Counselor or Therapist

Broadstep Behavioral Health, Inc - KINGSTREE, SC

Licensed Mental Health Counselor

Integrated Behavioral Health (AL) - GUNTERSVILLE, AL

Unit Counselor

Urban Recovery House LLC - BROOKLYN, NY

Search More Adjunct Counselor Jobs in the United States

Key Factors That Influence Adjunct Counselor Salaries

An Adjunct Counselor's salary isn't a fixed number. It's shaped by several important factors. Below, we'll explore how your years of experience, geographic location, education and company size can directly affect your earning potential.

How Do Adjunct Counselor Salaries Vary from State to State?

Your salary can change significantly depending on where you work. States with a higher cost of living and strong industrial sectors often pay more to attract Adjunct Counselors. For example, consider the average annual salaries in these key locations:

  • District of Columbia: $69,844.
  • California: $69,579.
  • Massachusetts: $68,652.

Top Paying Cities for Adjunct Counselors

Salaries can also vary between different cities. Major metropolitan areas or cities with a high demand for technicians often offer more competitive pay. Here are a few examples of average annual salaries in different U.S. cities:

  • San Jose: $79,565
  • San Francisco: $78,783
  • Oakland: $77,035

What Skills Can Increase an Adjunct Counselor's Salary?

Demanded Skills for the Role:

  • Planning (Mentioned in 6.84% Job Postings): An act or process of making or carrying out plans. Establishment of goals, policies, and procedures for a social or economic unit city planning business planning.
  • Group Therapy (Mentioned in 2.71% Job Postings): Group psychotherapy or group therapy is a form of psychotherapy in which one or more therapists treat a small group of clients together as a group. The term can legitimately refer to any form of psychotherapy when delivered in a group format, including cognitive behavioural therapy or interpersonal therapy, but it is usually applied to psychodynamic group therapy where the group context and group process is explicitly utilised as a mechanism of change by developing, exploring and examining interpersonal relationships within the group. The broader concept of group therapy can be taken to include any helping process that takes place in a group, including support groups, skills training groups (such as anger management, mindfulness, relaxation training or social skills training), and psychoeducation groups. The differences between psychodynamic groups, activity groups, support groups, problem-solving and psycoeducational groups have been discussed by psychiatrist Charles Montgomery. Other, more specialised forms of group therapy would include non-verbal expressive therapies such as art therapy, dance therapy, or music therapy.
  • Psychiatric (Mentioned in 2.08% Job Postings): Periodically and systematically assessing the client's dietary intake and nutritional status to ensure the effectiveness of nutrition intervention.
See More Skills
Skills Demand Percentage
Planning 6.84%
Group Therapy 2.71%
Psychiatric 2.08%
What skills can make your compensation higher?
Mastering certain specialized skills can lead to a significant increase in pay. Here are examples of skills and the potential impact they can have on an Adjunct Counselor's salary.
  • Integrity: Can increase your salary by up to 6%.
  • Case Management: Can increase your salary by up to 4%.
  • Flexibility: Can increase your salary by up to 3%.
Skill Salary Salary % Increase
Integrity
$66,867
6%
Case Management
$65,605
4%
Flexibility
$64,974
3%
Social Work
$64,343
2%
Written Communication
$64,343
2%
Scheduling
$64,343
2%
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How Education impacts an Adjunct Counselor's Salary?

Your level of education can impact your salary potential. While many Adjunct Counselors enter the field with a Master's Degree or MBA degree, higher education can lead to more specialized and higher-paying roles.

According to our 100% employer-reported salary data, the median salary for an Adjunct Counselor with a Master's Degree or MBA is between $61,499 and $66,526).

Adjunct Counselor Salaries by Degree Level

Typical Education for Adjunct Counselor
Degree Level % of user with this level of education
No Diploma 0.3%
High School 1.0%
Associates 0.3%
Bachelors 11.9%
Masters 82.5%
Doctorate 3.8%
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Adjunct Counselor Salary: Hourly Rate, Weekly Pay, and Monthly Pay

Understanding how an Adjunct Counselor's annual salary breaks down can help with budgeting. Below, you can see the average hourly rate, weekly pay, and monthly pay for this role. Use the buttons to switch between different pay periods.

Last Updated on May 18, 2021

Salary Trends for Adjunct Counselor

Salaries for an Adjunct Counselor can change over time, reflecting shifts in market demand and the overall economy. The median salary decreased from $62,703 in 2023 to around $62,614 in 2025, reflecting changes in demand, location, experience, and the wider economy. For a detailed analysis of Adjunct Counselor salary trends, .

Average Annual Salary of Adjunct Counselor Over Time

2022
$???
2023
$62,703
2024
$63,023
2025
$62,614
2026
$???
2027
$???
Year Average Annual Salary
2022
View More
2023 $62,703
2024 $63,023
2025 $62,614
2026
View More
2027
View More

Most common benefits for Adjunct Counselor

Social Security
401(k)
Disability
Healthcare
Pension
Time Off (days)
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Common company salaries for Adjunct Counselor

Here are companies hiring for Adjunct Counselor and their salaries, click below for more details.

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Ready to take the next step in your career? Browse thousands of current Adjunct Counselor job openings on our job board. Use the search bar below to find your perfect match.

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Where Does Our Salary Data Come From?

Salary.com provides salary estimates, histograms, trends, and comparisons using data from employer job postings and third-party sources.

We offer detailed salary information across multiple percentiles for your reference. (Click here to learn Why the Salary Midpoint Formula Is Crucial for Achieving Pay Equity.)

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