### Bureau of Labor Statistics U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics

School and Career Counselors and Advisors Summary
                        
            
                                                        
                                                                
                        
            
            
            
                            
                                                
                                                
                                                
                                                
            						
							
				                                                
                                            




            			school and career counselors imageSchool counselors help students develop academic and social skills.							
						Quick Facts:     School and Career Counselors and Advisors2023     Median Pay
            						$61,710     per year
										$29.67     per hourTypical Entry-Level Education
                                    Master's degreeWork Experience in a Related Occupation
                                    NoneOn-the-job Training
                                    NoneNumber of Jobs, 2022
                                    342,400Job Outlook, 2022-32
                                    5% (Faster than average)Employment Change, 2022-32
                                    18,400What School and Career Counselors and Advisors Do
                                                
                        
                        
School counselors help students develop academic and social skills. Career counselors and advisors help people choose a path to employment.
            
                        Work Environment
                        
School counselors work in public and private schools. Career counselors and advisors are employed primarily in colleges and universities but also work in career centers and private practice. Both types of counselors usually work full time.
            
                                                How to Become a School or Career Counselor or Advisor
                                                
                        
Most school counselors need a master’s degree in school counseling or a related field and have a state-issued credential. Some states require licensure for career counselors and advisors.
            
                        Pay
                        												                            																				    														The median annual wage for school and career counselors and advisors was $61,710 in May 2023.									                                					
						
            
                        Job Outlook
                        						
												Employment							of school and career counselors and advisors is projected to grow							 5 percent from 2022 to 2032, faster than the average for all occupations.
						About 26,600 openings for school and career counselors and advisors are projected each year, on average, over the decade.
            			
            			 Many of those openings are expected to result from the need to replace workers who transfer to different occupations or exit the labor force, such as to retire.
						State & Area Data
                       Explore resources for employment and wages by state and area for school and career counselors and advisors.
            
            
						
                        Similar Occupations
                        
                                                    Compare the job duties, education, job growth, and pay of school and career counselors and advisors with similar occupations.
            
            
                        More Information, Including Links to O*NET
                        
                                               
                        Learn more about school and career counselors and advisors by visiting additional resources, including O*NET, a source on key characteristics of workers and occupations.
 What School and Career Counselors and Advisors Do 
            

			School and career counselorsCareer counselors assist people with the process of making career decisions.			
School counselors help students develop academic and social skills and plans for after graduation. Career counselors and advisors help students and other clients develop skills, explore an occupation, or choose an educational program that will lead to a career.
Duties
School counselors typically do the following:
Help students understand and overcome social or behavioral challenges
Analyze data to identify factors, such as poor attendance, that negatively affect academic performance
Advise individuals and small groups based on their needs
Work with students to develop skills that support learning, such as effective time management and study habits
Evaluate students’ abilities and interests through aptitude assessments and interviews
Collaborate with teachers and families to help students plan academic, career, and social goals
Teach students and school staff about specific topics such as bullying and drug use
Present options to students for educational or vocational plans after graduation
Maintain records as required
Report cases of possible neglect or abuse and refer students and parents to resources for additional supportThe specific duties of school counselors vary with their students' ages.
***Elementary school counselors*** visit classrooms or meet with students individually or in groups to help them develop their social and academic skills. They also meet with parents or guardians to discuss the child’s strengths and weaknesses, challenges, or special needs. School counselors work with teachers and administrators to ensure that the curriculum addresses students’ developmental and academic needs.
***Middle school counselors*** work with school staff and families to help students improve their decision-making, study, and social skills. These counselors support students going through challenges in school or at home and offer one-on-one meetings to discuss these challenges. Middle school counselors also assist students in their transition to high school, preparing them for the next level of academic and social development.
***High school counselors*** advise students in making academic and career plans. Many help students overcome personal issues that interfere with their academic development. They help students choose classes and plan for their lives after graduation. Counselors provide information about choosing and applying for colleges, training programs, financial aid, and internships and apprenticeships. They may present career lessons to help students learn how to search and apply for jobs.
Career counselors and advisors typically do the following:
Use aptitude and achievement assessments to help students or clients evaluate their interests, skills, and abilities
Evaluate students’ or clients’ background, education, and training, to help them develop realistic goals
Guide students in making decisions about careers, such as choosing an occupation and the type of degree to pursue
Help students select and apply for educational programs to obtain the necessary degrees, credentials, and skills
Teach students or clients job-search skills, such as interviewing and networking
Assist clients in locating and applying for jobs, by teaching them strategies that will be helpful in finding openings and writing a résuméThe specific duties of career counselors and advisors vary by student or client.
***Career coaches*** work with people who have already entered the workforce. These counselors develop plans with customized objectives and activities to improve their clients’ careers. They motivate their clients and support them to achieve the goals they set together. Career coaches also provide advice about entering a new occupation or helping to resolve workplace issues.
***College advisors*** help students choose a major or determine the jobs they are qualified for with their degrees. These advisors also help people find and get jobs by teaching them job search, résumé writing, and interviewing techniques. College advisors often specialize in counseling students in one area of the college experience, such as admissions or financial aid.
Some career counselors work in outplacement firms and assist laid-off workers with transitioning into new jobs or careers.
 Work Environment
			School and career counselorsSchool counselors work in private and public schools where they have private offices.			

	    
				
	
	
	
	
	
	
	    					 School and career counselors and advisors held about 342,400 jobs in 2022. The largest employers of school and career counselors and advisors were as follows:
        Elementary and secondary schools; state, local, and private
                46%Junior colleges, colleges, universities, and professional schools; state, local, and private
                38Healthcare and social assistance
                6Other educational services; state, local, and private
                4Self-employed workers
                1Work Schedules
Both types of counselors and advisors usually work full time. Most counselors and advisors who work in schools and colleges may not work when school is not in session, such as during the summer.
 How to Become a School or Career Counselor or Advisor

			School and career counselorsCareer counselors who work in private practices may also need a license.			
School counselors typically must have a master’s degree in school counseling or a related field and have a state-issued credential. Some states require licensure for career counselors and advisors.
Education
Nearly all states and the District of Columbia require school counselors to have a master's degree, which is typically in a field such as counseling or psychology. Degree programs teach counselors the essential skills of the job, such as how to foster development; conduct group and individual counseling; work with support systems, such as parents, school staff, and community organizations; and use data to develop, implement, and evaluate comprehensive counseling programs. These programs often require counselors to complete an internship.
Some employers prefer that career counselors have a master’s degree in counseling with a focus on career development. Career counseling programs prepare students to assess clients’ skills and interests and to teach career development techniques. For career or academic advisors, employers may prefer candidates who have a bachelor’s degree and work experience.
Master’s degree programs in counseling usually require students to have a period of supervised experience, such as an internship.
Licenses, Certifications, and Registrations
Public school counselors must have a state-issued credential to practice. Depending on the state, this credential may be called a certification, a license, or an endorsement. Obtaining this credential typically requires a master’s degree in school counseling, an internship or practicum completed under the supervision of a licensed professional school counselor, and successful completion of a test.
Some employers prefer or require candidates to have classroom teaching experience, or to hold a teaching license, prior to being certified. Most states require a criminal background check as part of the credentialing process. Information about requirements for each state is available from the American School Counselor Association.
Some states require licensure for career counselors; check with your state for more information. Contact information for state regulating boards is available from the National Board for Certified Counselors.
Optional certifications for career and academic advisors are available from some professional associations.
Important Qualities
***Analytical skills.*** School and career counselors and advisors interpret student records, schoolwide data, and assessments to match interests and abilities with potential careers.
***Compassion.*** School and career counselors and advisors often work with people who are dealing with stressful and difficult situations, so they must be able to empathize with their clients and students.
***Interpersonal skills.*** School and career counselors and advisors must be able to work with people of all backgrounds and personalities. They need to form and maintain collaborative relationships with clients, students, or other professionals.
***Listening skills.*** School and career counselors and advisors need to give full attention to students and clients in order to understand their problems.
***Speaking skills.*** School and career counselors and advisors must communicate effectively with clients and students. They should express ideas and information in a way that their clients and students understand.
 Pay

			



	
 
                                                     
            
    
                School and Career Counselors and AdvisorsMedian annual wages, May 2023Educational, guidance, and career counselors and advisors$61,710  Counselors, social workers, and other community and social service specialists$51,970  Total, all occupations$48,060Note: All Occupations includes all occupations in the U.S. Economy.Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics
 

	
	



		
	
	
	
The median annual wage for school and career counselors and advisors was $61,710 in May 2023. 


The median wage is the wage at which half the workers in an occupation earned more than that amount and half earned less. The lowest 10 percent earned less than $40,140, and the highest 10 percent earned more than $100,050.





		
	    					 In May 2023, the median annual wages for school and career counselors and advisors in the top industries in which they worked were as follows:	
        Elementary and secondary schools; state, local, and private
                $71,700Other educational services; state, local, and private
                57,840Junior colleges, colleges, universities, and professional schools; state, local, and private
                53,190Healthcare and social assistance
                44,180Both types of counselors and advisors usually work full time. Most counselors and advisors who work in schools and colleges may not work when school is not in session, such as during the summer.
 Job Outlook

   
        
    
          
        
    
                School and Career Counselors and AdvisorsPercent change in employment, projected 2022-32Counselors, social workers, and other community and social service specialists9%  Educational, guidance, and career counselors and advisors5%  Total, all occupations3%Note: All Occupations includes all occupations in the U.S. Economy.Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Employment Projections program
            
            
			 
	
	
	

			Employment				of school and career counselors and advisors is projected to grow				 5 percent from 2022 to 2032, faster than the average for all occupations.
			
			About 26,600 openings for school and career counselors and advisors are projected each year, on average, over the decade.
			
			 Many of those openings are expected to result from the need to replace workers who transfer to different occupations or exit the labor force, such as to retire.
			Employment
	
			
Schools are expected to hire more counselors and advisors to respond to the developmental, academic, and career-planning needs of their students. Demand for career counselors is projected to increase as a growing number of colleges and universities open career centers that focus on helping students prepare to enter the workforce.
Career counselors and advisors also will be needed to assist jobseekers, such as those changing careers, laid-off workers looking for jobs, and military veterans transitioning into the civilian labor market.
			

                        Employment projections data for     school and career counselors and advisors, 2022-32
                Occupational Title
                        SOC Code
                        Employment, 2022
                        Projected Employment, 2032
                        Change, 2022-32
                        Employment by IndustryPercent
                        NumericSOURCE: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Employment Projections program**Educational, guidance, and career counselors and advisors**
			21-1012
			342,400
			360,800
			5
			18,400
			Get data
 State & Area Data **Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS)** The Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS) program produces employment and wage estimates annually for over 800 occupations. These estimates are available for the nation as a whole, for individual states, and for metropolitan and nonmetropolitan areas. The link(s) below go to OES data maps for employment and wages by state and area. Educational, guidance, and career counselors and advisors **Projections Central** Occupational employment projections are developed for all states by Labor Market Information (LMI) or individual state Employment Projections offices. All state projections data are available at www.projectionscentral.com. Information on this site allows projected employment growth for an occupation to be compared among states or to be compared within one state. In addition, states may produce projections for areas; there are links to each state’s websites where these data may be retrieved. **CareerOneStop** CareerOneStop includes hundreds of occupational profiles with data available by state and metro area. There are links in the left-hand side menu to compare occupational employment by state and occupational wages by local area or metro area. There is also a salary info tool to search for wages by zip code.
 Similar Occupations This table shows a list of occupations with job duties that are similar to those of school and career counselors and advisors. Occupation
                Job Duties
                ENTRY-LEVEL EDUCATION
                2023     MEDIAN PAY**High School Teachers**
            High school teachers teach academic lessons and various skills that students will need to attend college and to enter the job market.
            Bachelor's degree
            $65,220**Kindergarten and Elementary School Teachers**
            Kindergarten and elementary school teachers instruct young students in basic subjects in order to prepare them for future schooling.
            Bachelor's degree
            $63,670**Marriage and Family Therapists**
            Marriage and family therapists diagnose and treat cognitive, behavioral, or similar disorders in the context of couples and other relationships.
            Master's degree
            $58,510**Middle School Teachers**
            Middle school teachers educate students, typically in sixth through eighth grades.
            Bachelor's degree
            $64,290**Psychologists**
            Psychologists study cognitive, emotional, and social processes and behavior by observing, interpreting, and recording how people relate to one another and to their environments.
            See How to Become One
            $92,740**Rehabilitation Counselors**
            Rehabilitation counselors help people with physical, mental, developmental, or emotional disabilities live independently.
            Master's degree
            $44,040**Social and Community Service Managers**
            Social and community service managers coordinate and supervise programs and organizations that support public well-being.
            Bachelor's degree
            $77,030**Social and Human Service Assistants**
            Social and human service assistants provide client services in a variety of fields, such as psychology, rehabilitation, and social work.
            High school diploma or equivalent
            $41,410**Substance Abuse, Behavioral Disorder, and Mental Health Counselors**
            Substance abuse, behavioral disorder, and mental health counselors advise people on a range of issues, such as those relating to alcoholism, addictions, or depression.
            Bachelor's degree
            $53,710**Training and Development Specialists**
            Training and development specialists plan and administer programs that improve the skills and knowledge of their employees.
            Bachelor's degree
            $64,340
 Contacts for More Information
								
For more information about counseling and information about counseling specialties, visit
American Counseling Association
For more information about school counselors, visit
American School Counselor Association
For more information about career counselors and advisors, visit
National Career Development Association
For more information about state credentialing, visit
National Board for Certified Counselors
CareerOneStop
For a career video on school and career counselors and advisors, visit
Educational, Vocational, and School Counselors

                                                
                                                        
                                                                                                    O*NET
                                        Educational, Guidance, and Career Counselors and Advisors
 Suggested citation: Bureau of Labor Statistics, U.S.  Department of Labor, Occupational Outlook Handbook, School and Career Counselors and Advisors, 
        	 at https://www.bls.gov/ooh/community-and-social-service/school-and-career-counselors.htm (visited *May 21, 2024*).
 **Last Modified Date:**
                        Wednesday, April 17, 2024


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