Career and Employment Counselors
Overview
Introduction
Career and employment counselors, who are also known as vocational counselors, provide advice to individuals or groups about occupations, careers, career decision making, career planning, and other career development–related questions or conflicts. According to the U.S. Department of Labor, as of May 2023, there were approximately 327,660 school and career counselors employed in the United States.
Quick Facts
Median Salary
Employment Prospects
Minimum Education Level
Experience
Skills
Personality Traits
Earnings
Salaries vary greatly within the career and vocational counseling field. In June 2024, Glassdoor.com reported the average salary for college and career counselors was $55,000. Salaries ranged from $45,000 or less to $68,000 or more. The U.S. Department of Labor reported that school and career counselors earned a median annual wage of $61,710 in May 2023. The lowest paid 10 percent of these work...
Work Environment
Employment counselors usually work about 40 hours a week, but some agencies are more flexible. Counseling is done in offices designed to be free from noise and distractions, to allow confidential discussions with clients.
College career planning and placement counselors also normally work a 40-hour week, although irregular hours and overtime are frequently required during the peak recrui...
Outlook
Employment of school and career counselors is expected to grow by 5 percent, faster than the average for all careers, through 2032, according to the U.S. Department of Labor (DOL). The coronavirus pandemic has altered how counselors work, with many counseling people remotely through video conferencing. Post-pandemic, employment of counselors is expected to continue growing. Increased school enr...