Career Trends: School and Career Counselors

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

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

Most school counselors have a master’s degree in school counseling or a related field and have a state-issued credential. Some employers prefer that career counselors have a master’s degree. Career counselors who work in private practices may also need a license.

Employment of school and career counselors is projected to grow 8 percent from 2014 to 2024, about as fast as the average for all occupations. Increasing school enrollments should lead to employment growth of school and career counselors.

This occupation supported 262,300 jobs in 2012 and 273,400 jobs in 2014, reflecting an increase of 4.2%. In 2012, this occupation was projected to increase by 11.9% in 2022 to 293,500 jobs. As of 2014, to keep pace with prediction, the expected number of jobs was 268,500, compared with an observed value of 273,400, 1.8% higher than expected. This indicates current employment trends are about on track with the 2012 trend within this occupation. In 2014, this occupation was projected to increase by 8.6% in 2024 to 295,900 jobs. Linear extrapolation of the 2012 projection for 2022 results in an expected number of 299,700 jobs for 2024, 1.3% higher than the 2014 projection for 2024. This indicates expectations for future employment trends are about on track with the 2012 trend within this occupation.