What is the entry level Academic Advisor salary in Houston?

Entry level Academic Advisor positions in Houston start near $37,000. Candidates with strong backgrounds negotiate toward $47,000.

How does company size affect Academic Advisor pay in Houston?

Large enterprises in Houston pay Academic Advisors 10 to 20% more in base, but startups compensate with equity. The range of $37,000 to $61,000 spans both.

Academic Advisor.

Houston.

$47,000

median salary, 2% below the national average

$37,000 to $61,000. Updated for 2026.

Get your playbook

The numbers.

Everything you need to negotiate with confidence.

If you are evaluating a Academic Advisor offer in Houston, TX, here is the reality: $37,000 to $61,000, with $47,000 as the midpoint. 2% below the national average. Institution type, caseload size, and specialization in areas like pre-medical advising or student-athlete support drive pay differences. Do not accept the first number.

Salary range

25th Percentile

$37,000

per year

Median

$47,000

per year

75th Percentile

$61,000

per year

Tap to place your salary

$37,000$61,000

How Houston compares

Houston, TX

$47,000

Cost of living: 3% below average

National Average

$48,000

Houston is $1,000 below

What you should know

Here is what the Academic Advisor market actually looks like in Houston. Houston's economy is deeply rooted in energy, with a growing presence in healthcare, aerospace, and technology. The Texas Medical Center is the world's largest, driving massive demand for clinical and research roles. Houston's low cost of living and no state income tax make it an attractive destination for professionals seeking strong purchasing power. Institution type, caseload size, and specialization in areas like pre-medical advising or student-athlete support drive pay differences. Advisors at large research universities and well-funded private institutions earn 15 to 25% more than those at community colleges or small colleges.

Entry-level Academic Advisors earn $38,000 to $44,000. Experienced advisors with specialized caseloads reach $46,000 to $56,000. Senior Advisors and Assistant Directors command $55,000 to $70,000, while Directors of Academic Advising at large universities earn $72,000 to $95,000. In Houston, cost of living sits near the national average, so the numbers you see are roughly what you keep.

Base salary is not the full picture. University employment typically includes tuition remission worth $5,000 to $20,000 annually, pension contributions, and generous PTO. Health insurance benefits at universities are often stronger than private sector equivalents. Summer schedules may be lighter but not eliminated. And on the tax side: texas has no state income tax, giving Houston workers strong take home pay. The city's overall cost of living is below the national average, further stretching your salary. When someone quotes you $47,000, ask what the total package looks like. The gap between base and total comp is where real money hides.

On negotiation: Emphasize industry specialization in energy or healthcare. Houston employers pay significant premiums for domain expertise in these sectors over generalist candidates. The range for Academic Advisors in Houston runs from $37,000 to $61,000. That is not a narrow window. Where you land inside it depends almost entirely on whether you negotiate and how well you prepare.

Top industries in Houston

Energy & Oil/GasHealthcareAerospace & NASAManufacturingTechnology

Negotiating in Houston

Emphasize industry specialization in energy or healthcare. Houston employers pay significant premiums for domain expertise in these sectors over generalist candidates.

Common questions.

A master's degree in higher education, counseling, or a related field is often required for the role and increases starting salary by $3,000 to $8,000. Some institutions offer tuition remission for doctoral studies, which can lead to higher-paying director-level positions over time.

Advisors at R1 research universities and well-endowed private institutions earn 15 to 30% more than those at community colleges. However, community college roles often have smaller caseloads and stronger work-life balance, which some advisors prefer despite lower pay.

Entry level Academic Advisor positions in Houston typically start near $37,000. Candidates with relevant internships, certifications, or portfolio work often negotiate closer to the median of $47,000. Entry-level Academic Advisors earn $38,000 to $44,000.

In Houston, large enterprises typically pay Academic Advisors 10 to 20% more in base salary than small companies, but startups often compensate with equity that can exceed base salary value. University employment typically includes tuition remission worth $5,000 to $20,000 annually, pension contributions, and generous PTO. The $37,000 to $61,000 range reflects this entire spectrum.

Institution type, caseload size, and specialization in areas like pre-medical advising or student-athlete support drive pay differences. Advisors at large research universities and well-funded private institutions earn 15 to 25% more than those at community colleges or small colleges. In Houston, these factors can push compensation from the 25th percentile of $37,000 to the 75th percentile of $61,000 or beyond.

University employment typically includes tuition remission worth $5,000 to $20,000 annually, pension contributions, and generous PTO. Health insurance benefits at universities are often stronger than private sector equivalents. Summer schedules may be lighter but not eliminated. In Houston's market, the base range of $37,000 to $61,000 is just the starting point for negotiation.