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Activities Counselor Salary in the United States

How much does an Activities Counselor make in the United States? As of September 01, 2026, the average salary for an Activities Counselor in the United States is $64,304 per year, which breaks down to an hourly rate of $31.

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

  • Top Earners (90th percentile): $82,667
  • Majority Range (25th-75th percentile): $56,876 to $73,916
  • Entry-Level (10th percentile): $50,114
Salary Factors Salary-Boosting Skills Salary by Experience Related Job Salaries Top Paying Cities Explore Related Jobs

Check out Activities Counselor Job Openings in the United States

Key Factors That Influence Activities Counselor Salaries

An Activities 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 Experience Level Affects Activities Counselor Salaries?

Experience is a primary driver of an Activities Counselor's salary. As you build your skills and take on more complex tasks, your compensation generally increases. Here's how the average salary grows at different career stages:

  • Entry-Level (less than 1 year): $59,866
  • Early Career (1-2 years): $60,087
  • Mid-Level (2-4 years): $60,973
  • Senior-Level (5-8 years): $64,971
  • Expert (over 8 years): $66,974
Job RoleYears of ExperienceAverage Salary
Entry Level Activities Counselor less than 1 year $59,866
Early Career Level Activities Counselor 1-2 years $60,087
Mid-Level Level Activities Counselor 2-4 years $60,973
Senior-Level Level Activities Counselor 5-8 years $64,971
Expert Level Activities Counselor over 8 years $66,974

How Do Activities 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 Activities Counselors. For example, consider the average annual salaries in these key locations:

  • District of Columbia: $71,197.
  • California: $70,927.
  • Massachusetts: $69,982.

Top Paying Cities for Activities Counselor

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: $81,106
  • San Francisco: $80,218
  • Oakland: $78,528

Activities Counselor Salary by Industry: Top Paying Sectors

For Activities Counselor roles, the industry you choose can impact your earning potential by as much as 30% (the gap between the highest and lowest paying industries). Data shows that the highest-paying industry, Government, offers compensation 12% above the average. Conversely, Activities Counselor positions in Nonprofit typically offer lower base pay, as this sector often view Activities Counselor as a support function rather than a direct revenue driver.

The top paying industries for an Activities Counselor

Industry Sector Average Annual Salary Average Hourly Rate Pay vs.Avg
Government $72,342 $35.0 12%
Education $67,519 $32.0 5%

How Education impacts an Activities Counselor's Salary?

Your level of education can impact your salary potential. While many Activities Counselor professionals enter the field with a Master's 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 Activities Counselor with a Master's is between $61,499 and $66,526.

Activities Counselor Salaries by Degree Level

Typical Education for Activities Counselor
Degree Level % of user with this level of education
No Degree 0.3%
High School 1%
Associate's Degree 0.3%
Bachelor's Degree 11.9%
Master's Degree or MBA 82.5%
JD, MD, PhD or Equivalent 3.8%
View as Graph

Activities Counselor Salary: Hourly Rate, Weekly Pay, and Monthly Pay

Understanding how an Activities 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.

  • Hourly
  • Monthly
  • Weekly
  • Yearly
  • Table View
Last Updated on September 01, 2026
$56,876
Average $64,304/year
$73,916
$4,740
Average $5,359/month
$6,160
$1,094
Average $1,237/week
$1,421
$27
Average $31/hour
$36
Annual Salary Monthly Pay Weekly Pay Hourly Wage
75th Percentile $73,916 $6,160 $1,421 $36
Average $64,304 $5,359 $1,237 $31
25th Percentile $56,876 $4,740 $1,094 $27

Most common benefits for Activities Counselor

  • Social Security
  • 401 (k)
  • Disability
  • Healthcare
  • Pension
  • Time Off (days)

Common company salaries for Activities Counselor

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

Find Your Next Activities Counselor Job

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

  • Hanley Energy | Ashburn, VA

    Critical Infrastructure Technician

    Hanley Energy | Ashburn, VA

    This position is eligible for a sign-on bonus. Bonus amount and payment terms will be discussed during the recruitment process and are subject to applicabl... more

    3 Days Ago

  • Hanley Energy | Ashburn, VA

    Field Service Technician

    Hanley Energy | Ashburn, VA

    This position is eligible for a sign-on bonus. Bonus amount and payment terms will be discussed during the recruitment process and are subject to applicabl... more

    3 Days Ago

  • Hanley Energy | Ashburn, VA

    Mechanical Field Engineer

    Hanley Energy | Ashburn, VA

    This position is eligible for a sign-on bonus. Bonus amount and payment terms will be discussed during the recruitment process and are subject to applicabl... more

    3 Days Ago

  • Hanley Energy | Ashburn, VA

    Field Service Engineer

    Hanley Energy | Ashburn, VA

    This position is eligible for a sign-on bonus. Bonus amount and payment terms will be discussed during the recruitment process and are subject to applicabl... more

    3 Days Ago

  • CyLogic | Ashburn, VA

    SVP Revenue Growth

    CyLogic | Ashburn, VA

    A Leadership Opportunity to Shape the Next Phase of Growth. CyLogic is seeking an experienced revenue leader to oversee Sales and Marketing, strengthen go-... more

    4 Days Ago

  • ProspectBlue | Ashburn, VA

    Staff Accountant

    ProspectBlue | Ashburn, VA

    ProspectBlue is partnering with a well-established and growing organization in Ashburn, VA to identify a Staff Accountant to join its corporate accounting ... more

    4 Days Ago

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FAQ about Activities Counselor

1. What industry pays the highest salary for Activities Counselor?

The Government industry offers the highest average compensation for Activities Counselor roles, with salaries approximately 12% above the market median.

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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