Academic Advisor.
Los Angeles.
$57,000
median salary, 19% above the national average
$45,000 to $74,000. Updated for 2026.
The numbers.
Everything you need to negotiate with confidence.
A Academic Advisor in Los Angeles earns a median of $57,000 in 2026. That is 19% above the national average. The range runs from $45,000 to $74,000, and where you land depends on your experience, your skills, and how well you negotiate. Institution type, caseload size, and specialization in areas like pre-medical advising or student-athlete support drive pay differences.
Salary range
Tap to place your salary
How Los Angeles compares
Los Angeles, CA
$57,000
Cost of living: 18% above average
National Average
$48,000
Los Angeles is $9,000 above
What you should know
Here is what the Academic Advisor market actually looks like in Los Angeles. Los Angeles blends a thriving entertainment industry with a growing tech and startup ecosystem, often called Silicon Beach. The city's diverse economy spans aerospace, healthcare, fashion, and gaming. LA offers strong salaries that, while below San Francisco levels, pair with a broader lifestyle appeal and lower housing costs relative to the Bay Area. 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 Los Angeles, those numbers run higher. The cost of living here is 18% above average, and employers adjust to compete.
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: california's 13.3% top state income tax rate applies to LA earners as well. There is no city income tax, but the high state rate makes take home pay lower than cities in no income tax states. When someone quotes you $57,000, ask what the total package looks like. The gap between base and total comp is where real money hides.
On negotiation: Highlight cross industry skills. LA employers value candidates who bridge entertainment and tech, so framing your experience across verticals can unlock higher offers. The range for Academic Advisors in Los Angeles runs from $45,000 to $74,000. 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 Los Angeles
Negotiating in Los Angeles
Highlight cross industry skills. LA employers value candidates who bridge entertainment and tech, so framing your experience across verticals can unlock higher offers.