SalaryNode

Average Educational, Guidance, and Career Counselors and Advisors Salary in Portland-South Portland, ME

Educational, Guidance, and Career Counselors and Advisors in Portland-South Portland, ME, earn an average annual salary of $65,270. This figure notably surpasses the national average of $60,060, indicating a slightly more favorable compensation landscape in this specific metropolitan area. Local economic factors and demand within the education and career services sectors likely contribute to this elevated pay.

Executive Summary

  • Average Salary: $65,270 per year.
  • Growth Trend: Salaries have shifted 5.8% over the last 5 years.
  • Top Earners: Senior professionals (90th percentile) earn up to $85,920.
  • Outlook: With a local workforce of 590 professionals in this field and a Location Quotient of 0.94, the Portland-South Portland area demonstrates a concentration of these roles that is nearly on par with the national average. While not exceptionally high, this quotient suggests a stable and consistent demand for counselors and advisors, indicating a healthy, albeit not booming, job market.
2024 Market Data

Salary Overview

$65,270

The average Educational, Guidance, and Career Counselors and Advisors in Portland-South Portland, ME earns+8.7%above the national average.

BreakdownBased on 40h/week
Hourly

$31.4

Weekly

$1,255

Monthly

$5,439

Educational, Guidance, and Career Counselors and Advisors Salary Distribution in Portland-South Portland, ME

Career progression for Educational, Guidance, and Career Counselors and Advisors typically involves increased responsibility and specialization, leading to higher earning potential. Entry-level positions might start closer to the lower percentiles, while seasoned professionals with extensive experience and advanced degrees can command salaries in the upper percentiles, reflecting a significant salary scale that rewards expertise and tenure.

Experience LevelMarket PercentileAnnual WageHourly Rate
ProbationaryInitial licensure. Mentored by senior faculty.10% (Entry)$44,860$21.6
Tenured / ProProfessional status. Curriculum development.25% (Junior)$48,953$23.5
Senior EducatorDepartment chair. Mentors student teachers.50% (Median)$61,940$29.8
Lead SpecialistInstructional coach, reading specialist, or VP.75% (Senior)$81,588$39.2
AdministratorPrincipal, District Admin, or Consultant.90% (Expert)$85,920$41.3

Detailed Educational, Guidance, and Career Counselors and Advisors Market Analysis

Relocation Context

Nominal Salary

$65,270

Gross Pay

Real Wage (Purchasing Power)

$65,270

Adjusted for COL (100)

The average annual salary of $65,270 in Portland-South Portland, ME, aligns perfectly with the local Cost of Living Index of 100, which is the national average. This means that the purchasing power of a counselor's salary in this area is equivalent to the national average, suggesting that the compensation is adequate for maintaining a standard of living comparable to the rest of the country.

Job Market Context

590

Total Jobs

2.081

Per 1K Jobs

0.94

Location Quotient

Below Average

Portland-South Portland, ME has 0.94x the national average concentration of Educational, Guidance, and Career Counselors and Advisors jobs. This means there are fewer opportunities per capita here compared to the U.S. average — competition for roles may be higher.

A Location Quotient of 0.94 indicates that the concentration of Educational, Guidance, and Career Counselors and Advisors in Portland-South Portland is slightly below the national average. This suggests that while the profession is present and valued, the market is not oversaturated, potentially offering good opportunities for qualified individuals without intense competition.

Nearby Job Markets

Frequently Asked Questions

How much does a Educational, Guidance, and Career Counselors and Advisors make in Portland-South Portland, ME?

The median annual salary for a Educational, Guidance, and Career Counselors and Advisors in Portland-South Portland, ME is $65,270. This typically ranges from $44,860 for entry-level positions to $85,920 for top-level roles.

How does the salary compare to the national average?

The average salary for this role in Portland-South Portland, ME is 8.7% higher than the national median of $60,060.

Is Portland-South Portland, ME a lucrative place for Educational, Guidance, and Career Counselors and Advisorss?

Yes, it offers slightly above-average compensation.The average salary of $65,270 is higher than the national average, and with a Cost of Living Index of 100, your earnings will have average purchasing power.

Is Portland-South Portland, ME a good place to live for Educational, Guidance, and Career Counselors and Advisors?

The Cost of Living Index in Portland-South Portland, ME is 100. While higher than average, this often correlates with higher wages.

Where are the highest paying cities near Portland-South Portland, ME?

Some top paying nearby cities include Lewiston-Auburn, ME ($59,740) and Central New Hampshire nonmetropolitan area.

How does the Portland-South Portland salary compare to the national average?

The average salary for Educational, Guidance, and Career Counselors and Advisors in Portland-South Portland, ME is $65,270, which is higher than the national average of $60,060.

What is the concentration of these jobs in Portland-South Portland?

The Location Quotient is 0.94, meaning the concentration of these jobs is slightly below the national average, indicating a stable but not overly saturated market.

How does the cost of living affect the salary in Portland-South Portland?

The Cost of Living Index is 100, which is the national average. This means the $65,270 salary has average purchasing power in Portland-South Portland.

What is the total number of counselors and advisors in the Portland-South Portland area?

There are approximately 590 Educational, Guidance, and Career Counselors and Advisors employed in the Portland-South Portland, ME metropolitan area.

Methodology: Salary data is derived from the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) OEWS 2024 release. Figures represent gross pay before taxes. Analysis includes 590 employees in the Portland-South Portland, ME area with a job density of 2.081 per 1,000 jobs. Cost of Living data is estimated based on state and metro averages.