What is the salary range for entry-level educational consultants?

Content

Based on my research into educational consulting positions, I’m having trouble finding clear data on compensation, especially since "entry-level" can vary and salaries seem to depend heavily on location and employer type. Could you please provide more details on the typical salary range for an entry-level educational consultant role, including how it might differ based on factors like:

  • Geographic location (e.g., major metropolitan area vs. smaller city/rural region)

  • Type of employer (e.g., large corporate consulting firm, boutique firm, non-profit organization, university/college advising department, freelance/independent contractor)

  • Specific responsibilities (e.g., does it involve solely student admissions advising, broader educational program development, curriculum consulting, or market research?)

  • Required qualifications (e.g., is a master’s degree preferred or a bachelor’s sufficient, are specific certifications needed?)

  • Compensation structure (e.g., is it strictly annual salary, or does it include potential bonuses, commission (especially if sales-focused), or hourly wage for contractors)?

  • Typical contract length (e.g., permanent full-time position vs. fixed-term contract vs. project-based freelance)?

I need concrete figures to understand potential earnings accurately.

The salary range for entry-level educational consultants (typically defined as 0-2 years of relevant experience) generally falls between $40,000 and $60,000 per year in base salary, though variations exist based on several factors. Here are the key details:

  1. Typical Range:

    • $40,000 – $55,000: A very common starting range for many entry-level positions, especially within non-profits, independent schools, or smaller consulting firms, particularly in lower-cost-of-living areas.
    • $50,000 – $60,000: Starting salaries in this range are more common for larger for-profit consulting firms, corporate educational benefits departments, or positions in major metropolitan areas with high costs of living (e.g., New York City, San Francisco, Washington D.C.).
    • Below $40,000: Possible in small organizations, non-profits with limited budgets, or part-time/contract roles, though less common for full-time entry-level positions.

  2. Key Influencing Factors:

    • Geographic Location: Salaries are significantly higher in major urban centers and high-cost states compared to rural areas or lower-cost regions. A job in NYC might pay 20-30% more than one in a smaller city.
    • Type of Employer:
      • Large For-Profit Consulting Firms: Often offer the highest starting salaries and benefits packages.
      • Corporate/Corporate Benefits: Salary ranges tend to be competitive, aligning with corporate standards.
      • Independent Schools/Colleges (Admissions Offices): May offer mid-range salaries, sometimes with tuition benefits.
      • Non-Profit Organizations: Typically offer the lowest starting salaries, sometimes closer to $40k-$45k, though compensation can include strong mission alignment and benefits.
    • Specific Role Focus: Roles specializing in lucrative areas like consulting for elite private boarding schools, highly selective university admissions, or corporate educational benefits can sometimes command higher starting salaries than positions focused on community college or state school advising within non-profits.
    • Candidate Credentials: Candidates with highly relevant internships, graduate degrees (especially in counseling, education, or a specific field like law med), certifications (e.g., IECA Associate), or strong sales/client service backgrounds may negotiate salaries at the higher end of the range.
    • Compensation Structure: While base salary is primary, some roles (especially in for-profit environments) may include modest commission or bonus potential after the first year, but this is less common and usually not significant at the true entry level.
  3. Sources Supporting the Range:
    • Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS): Groups educational, guidance, school, and vocational counselors together. The median annual wage was $60,510 (May 2023). Entry-level positions start below this median, aligning with the $40k-$60k range.
    • Salary.com: Lists the average base salary for an "Educational Consultant" with less than 1 year experience as approximately $51,243 (as of mid-2024), reflecting mid-range starting points.
    • Glassdoor: Entry-level Educational Consultant salaries reported on the platform typically fall between $40,000 and $55,000, with some outliers based on the factors mentioned above.
    • LinkedIn Salaries: Data consistently shows entry-level salaries clustered between $45,000 and $58,000, heavily influenced by location and employer size/type.

In summary, while $40k-$60k is the broad entry-level salary range for educational consultants, the precise starting point heavily depends on location, employer type, and the specific role’s demands and focus.

Published: September 22, 2025