Guidance Counselor Salary Guide By Region & Specialization

A guidance counselor, or career counselor, works closely with students to help them succeed in school. This includes supporting students and professionals with making decisions about their career path, as well as teaching job search and workplace skills.

According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS), guidance counselors “help people find and get jobs by teaching them job search, resume writing, and interviewing techniques”. They may also work with people who are already employed, helping them improve their current career, tackle difficult workplace issues, or transition to a new profession. Others may work in outplacement firms and help workers who are recently laid-off with finding a new job or career.

Guidance counselors have no shortage of job opportunities: the BLS (2019) estimates that demand for guidance counselors specializing in career services will grow by 8 percent nationally between 2018 and 2028.

Guidance counselors working for the federal executive branch, such as the Veterans Administration, make the highest annual wage at $71,470. Those working in elementary and secondary schools made $67,670, while guidance counselors working in computer systems design and related services made $65,660. Junior college counselors make $63,210, while those working at agencies make $62,960.

According to the BLS (May 2019), the 296,460 educational, guidance, and career counselors in the United States made an average annual salary of $61,000. The BLS reported the following salary percentiles:

• 10th percentile: $34,380
• 25th percentile: $44,010
• 50th percentile (median): $57,040
• 75th percentile: $74,430
• 90th percentile: $96,090

Guidance counselors are ranked by the U.S. News and World Report (2020) as the eighth-best social services job and within the top hundred of jobs overall. (Note that U.S. News and World Report does not differentiate between school and career counselors.)

Guidance counseling is a quickly growing field that has changed rapidly in recent years. They are seen as an important and essential part of a school or agency advising team and provide critical skills for job seekers and professionals at each stage of their professional development. This is especially vital in an ever-changing economy where skill sets and jobs become outdated and reskilling is necessary to keep pace with new technology and automation.

Many guidance counselors have a master’s degree in counseling. Some states may also require guidance counselors to have a credential, license, or endorsement. They may also require them to complete an internship or supervised experience with a certified career counseling professional. Guidance counselors should always check with their state’s licensing board prior to applying to a counseling program to make sure they are in compliance with any licensure requirements.

Guidance counselors work with many different clients and depending on the job, may have a high caseload. According to the U.S. News & World Report (2020), counselors report above-average levels of stress. They may also find themselves limited by the lack of upward mobility in the field, as there are fewer opportunities for growth and salary advancement. However, they report a flexible work schedule that allows for work-life balance. They also can enjoy the benefits of a quickly growing job market.

Read on to learn how much guidance counselors make, where they are employed, and the top-paying clinical specializations.