School and Career Counselors : Occupational Outlook Handbook : U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics

Summary

School counselors meet with students and parents to discuss students’ progress towards their goals.

Quick Facts: School and Career Counselors
2010 Median Pay	$53,380 per year $25.67 per hour
Entry-Level Education	Master’s degree
Work Experience in a Related Occupation	None
On-the-job Training	None
Number of Jobs, 2010	281,400
Job Outlook, 2010-20	19% (About as fast as average)
Employment Change, 2010-20	53,400

What School and Career Counselors Do

School counselors help students develop social skills and succeed in school. Career counselors assist people with the process of making career decisions by helping them choose a career or educational program.

Work Environment

School counselors work in public and private schools. Career counselors work in colleges, government career centers, and private practice. Both types of counselors generally work full time.

How to Become a School or Career Counselor

All school counselors must be credentialed, which most often requires a master’s degree. Many employers prefer that career counselors have a master’s degree. Those who work in private practice generally must be licensed.

Pay

The median annual wage of school and career counselors was $53,380 in May 2010.

Job Outlook

Employment of school and career counselors is expected to grow by 19 percent from 2010 to 2020, about as fast as the average for all occupations. The number of students attending schools at all levels is expected to increase during the projections decade, boosting demand for both school and career counselors.

Similar Occupations

Compare the job duties, education, job growth, and pay of school and career counselors with similar occupations.

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Contacts for More Information

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What School and Career Counselors Do About this section

Career counselors assist people with the process of making career decisions.

Duties

School counselors typically do the following:

Help students understand and overcome social or behavioral problems through individual and group counseling
Provide individual and small group counseling based on student needs
Work with students to develop skills such as organization, time management, and effective study habits
Help students set realistic academic and career goals and develop a plan to achieve them
Evaluate students’ abilities and interests through aptitude assessments and interviews
Develop strategies with teachers, administrators, and parents to help students succeed
Teach classes on topics such as bullying, drug abuse, and planning for college or careers after graduation
Identify and report possible cases of neglect or abuse
Refer students and parents to resources outside the school for additional support

The specific duties of school counselors vary with the ages of the students they work with.

Elementary school counselors focus on helping students develop skills they need to be successful in their social and academic lives, such as decision-making and study skills. They also help teachers and administrators identify possible behavioral or developmental problems. They observe children in the classroom and at play activities and confer with teachers and parents about children's strengths, problems, and special needs. They work with teachers and administrators to be sure the curriculum addresses the development needs of students as well as students' academic needs.

Middle school counselors work with students and parents to develop career and academic goals and to create a plan for students to achieve them. They help students develop the skills and strategies necessary to succeed academically and socially.

High school counselors advise students making academic and career plans. Many help students with personal problems that interfere with their education. They help students choose classes and plan for their lives after graduation. Counselors provide information about choosing and applying for colleges or training programs and for financial aid or apprenticeships. They help students develop job search skills, such as writing résumés and interviewing.

Career counselors typically do the following:

Use aptitude and achievement assessments to help clients evaluate their interests, skills, and abilities
Evaluate clients’ background, education, and training to help them develop realistic goals
Guide clients through making decisions about their careers, such as choosing a new profession or the type of degree to pursue
Help clients learn job search skills, such as interviewing and networking
Assist clients in locating or applying for jobs by teaching them strategies to find openings and how to write a résumé
Advise clients on how to resolve problems in the workplace, such as conflicts with bosses or coworkers
Help clients select and apply for educational programs to obtain the necessary degrees, credentials, or skills

Career counselors work with clients at various stages in their careers. Some work with college students to help choose a college major. They also help students determine what jobs they are qualified for with their degrees. With people who have already entered the workforce, counselors provide advice about entering a new profession or develop plans to improve their client’s current career. Some career counselors work in outplacement firms and assist laid-off workers to transition into a new job or career. Others work in corporate career centers to assist employees in making decisions about their career path within the company.

Some career counselors work in private practice. These counselors must spend time marketing their practice to prospective clients and working with clients to receive payments for their services.

Work Environment About this section

School counselors work in private and public schools where they have private offices.

School and career counselors held about 281,400 jobs in 2010. The industries employing the most school and career counselors in 2010 were as follows:

Elementary and secondary schools; state, local, and private	47%
Colleges, universities, and professional schools; state, local, and private	19
Junior colleges; state, local, and private	8
Vocational rehabilitation services	6

School counselors work in private and public schools. They often have private offices so that they can have confidential conversations with students. Career counselors work in colleges, businesses, prisons, and state government career centers such as Career One-Stops.

Work Schedules

Both school and career counselors generally work full time. Some school counselors have summers off when school is not in session.

How to Become a School or Career Counselor About this section

Master’s programs in career counseling prepare students to teach career development techniques and assess clients’ skills and interests.

Education

In most states, school counselors must have a master’s degree in school counseling or a related field. Programs in school counseling teach students about fostering academic development, conducting group and individual counseling, and working with parents, teachers, and other school staff. These programs often require students to gain experience through an internship or practicum.

Most employers prefer that career counselors have a master’s degree in counseling with a focus on career development. Career counseling programs prepare students to teach career development techniques and assess clients’ skills and interests. Many programs require students to have a period of supervised experience, such as an internship.

Licenses

School counselors must have a state-issued credential to practice. This credential can be called a certification, a license, or an endorsement, depending on the state. 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 Counselors Association.

Although some employers prefer to hire licensed career counselors, a license is not required in many settings. Career counselors in private practice, however, generally must be licensed. Licensure requires a master’s degree and 2,000 to 3,000 hours of supervised clinical experience. In addition, counselors must pass a state-recognized exam and complete annual continuing education credits. Contact information for state regulating boards is available from the National Board for Certified Counselors.

Important Qualities

Compassion. Counselors often work with people who are dealing with stressful and difficult situations, so they must be compassionate and empathize with their clients and students.

Listening skills. Good listening skills are essential for school and career counselors. They need to give their full attention to their students and clients to understand their problems and values.

People skills. Being able to work with different types of people is essential for counselors. They spend most of their time working directly with clients and students or other professionals and need good working relationships.

Speaking skills. School and career counselors must communicate effectively with clients and students. They should express ideas and information in a way that their clients understand easily.

Pay About this section

School and Career Counselors

Median annual wages, May 2010

School and Career Counselors: $53,380
Community and Social Service Occupations: $39,280
Total, All Occupations: $33,840

The median annual wage of school and career counselors was $53,380 in May 2010. The median wage is the wage at which half the workers in an occupation earned more than that amount and half earned less. The bottom 10 percent earned less than $31,630, and the top 10 percent earned more than $86,250.

In May 2010, the median annual wages in the industries employing the most school and career counselors were as follows:

Elementary and secondary schools; state, local, and private	$60,000
Junior colleges; state, local, and private	51,050
Colleges, universities, and professional schools; state, local, and private	44,610
Vocational rehabilitation services	35,210

School and career counselors generally work full time. Some school counselors have summers off when school is not in session.

Job Outlook About this section

School and Career Counselors

Percent change in employment, projected 2010-20

Community and Social Service Occupations: 24%
School and Career Counselors: 19%
Total, All Occupations: 14%

Employment of school and career counselors is expected to grow by 19 percent from 2010 to 2020, about as fast as the average for all occupations. Growth is expected due to increasing student enrollments in schools.

Rising student enrollments in elementary, middle, and high schools are expected to increase demand for school counselors. As enrollments grow, schools will require more counselors to respond to the needs of their students. Employment of school and career counselors in elementary and secondary schools is expected to grow by 8 percent from 2010 to 2020.

Employment of career counselors also is expected to increase because of rising enrollments in colleges and universities. As the college-age population grows, colleges will need to hire additional counselors to meet the demand for career counseling services from their students. Employment of school and career counselors in colleges, universities and professional schools is expected to grow by 34 percent from 2010 to 2020. In addition, demand for career counselors is expected to continue in vocational rehabilitation organizations and in private practice. Employment of school and career counselors in vocational rehabilitation services is expected to grow by 30 percent from 2010 to 2020.

Employment projections data for school and career counselors, 2010-20
Occupational Title	SOC Code	Employment, 2010	Projected Employment, 2020	Change, 2010-20		Employment by Industry
Occupational Title	SOC Code	Employment, 2010	Projected Employment, 2020	Percent	Numeric	Employment by Industry
SOURCE: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Employment Projections program
Educational, Guidance, School, and Vocational Counselors	21-1012	281,400	334,800	19	53,400	[XLS]

Similar Occupations About this section

This table shows a list of occupations with job duties that are similar to those of school and career counselors.

Occupation	Job Duties	ENTRY-LEVEL EDUCATION	2010 MEDIAN PAY
High School Teachers	High school teachers help prepare students for life after graduation. They teach academic lessons and various skills that students will need to attend college and to enter the job market.	Bachelor’s degree	$53,230
Human Resources Specialists	Human resources specialists recruit, screen, interview, and place workers. They also may handle human resources work in a variety of other areas, such as employee relations, payroll and benefits, and training.	Bachelor’s degree	$52,690
Kindergarten and Elementary School Teachers	Kindergarten and elementary school teachers prepare younger students for future schooling by teaching them the basics of subjects such as math and reading.	Bachelor’s degree	$51,380
Mental Health Counselors and Marriage and Family Therapists	Mental health counselors and marriage and family therapists help people manage or overcome mental and emotional disorders and problems with their family and relationships. They listen to clients and ask questions to help the clients understand their problems and develop strategies to improve their lives.	Master’s degree	$39,710
Middle School Teachers	Middle school teachers educate students, most of whom are in sixth through eighth grades. They help students build on the fundamentals they learned in elementary school and prepare them for the more difficult lessons they will learn in high school.	Bachelor’s degree	$51,960
Psychologists	Psychologists study mental processes and human behavior by observing, interpreting, and recording how people and other animals relate to one another and the environment.	See How to Become One	$68,640
Rehabilitation Counselors	Rehabilitation counselors help people with emotional and physical disabilities live independently. They help their clients overcome personal, social, and professional effects of disabilities as they relate to employment or independent living.	Master’s degree	$32,350
Social and Community Service Managers	Social and community service managers coordinate and supervise social service programs and community organizations. They direct and lead staff who provide services to the public.	Bachelor’s degree	$57,950
Social and Human Service Assistants	Social and human service assistants help people get through difficult times or get additional support. They help other workers, such as social workers, and they help clients find benefits or community services.	High school diploma or equivalent	$28,200
Social Workers	There are two main types of social workers: direct-service social workers, who help people solve and cope with problems in their everyday lives, and clinical social workers, who diagnose and treat mental, behavioral, and emotional issues.	See How to Become One	$42,480
Substance Abuse and Behavioral Disorder Counselors	Substance abuse and behavioral disorder counselors advise people who have alcoholism or other types of addiction, eating disorders, or other behavioral problems. They provide treatment and support to help the client recover from addiction or modify problem behaviors.	High school diploma or equivalent	$38,120