Education & Childcare career

School Counselor

Also called: Guidance Counselor · Career Counselor · College Counselor · Academic Advisor

What school counselors do, what they earn, how long training takes and how to get started, with official BLS pay data and practical, job-level detail.

Updated By the Career Education Institute Curriculum Team
What does a school counselor do?

Educational, guidance and career counselors help students with academic plans, social and emotional challenges, college and career decisions, and connect them with support services. The median pay is $64,330 per year (BLS, May 2025), most people train for about Bachelor’s plus 2-year master’s, and employment is projected to grow +2.9% from 2025–35.

Pay data: BLS OEWS, May 2025 · Outlook: BLS 2025–35 · Checked October 15, 2026

  • Median pay
    $64,330
    $30.93/hour · May 2025
  • Job growth
    +2.9%
    2025–35, about as fast as average
  • Openings per year
    27,800
    Average, 2025–35
  • Typical entry education
    Master's degree
    BLS classification
  • Time to train
    Bachelor’s plus 2-year master’s
    Typical program length
  • U.S. jobs
    389,500
    Employment, 2025

What school counselors do

School counselors support students’ success. They help with class schedules and graduation plans, college and career planning, social and emotional issues, crisis response and referrals to outside services. They run classroom lessons, small groups and individual sessions, and work with families and teachers. College academic advisors and career counselors do similar work for adults.

School counselors need a master’s degree in school counseling and a state certification. Career and academic advisors in colleges may need a bachelor’s or master’s degree.

Typical duties

  • Meet with students individually and in groups
  • Help with academic and graduation planning
  • Guide college and career planning
  • Support social and emotional needs
  • Respond to crises
  • Teach classroom guidance lessons
  • Collaborate with families, teachers and outside agencies

Work environment and schedule

Counselors work in schools, colleges and career centers, in offices and classrooms.

Schedule: School counselors work school-year schedules, sometimes with summer weeks; college advisors often work year-round.

A day in the life

  1. Review student appointment requests.
  2. Meet a student about a schedule change.
  3. Teach a career exploration lesson in a classroom.
  4. Respond to a student in crisis and contact family.

See a full day in the life of a school counselor →

School Counselor salary

Half of school counselors earned more than $64,330 and half earned less in May 2025. Pay ranged from about $45,020 for the lowest 10% to $104,770 for the top 10%.

Full school counselor pay scale and hourly rates →

How to become a school counselor

  1. Earn a bachelor’s degree
  2. Earn a master’s in school counseling
  3. Pass state exams
  4. Get certified
  5. Advance

School counselors need a master’s degree in school counseling and a state certification or license. Many states require supervised internship hours.

Step-by-step guide to becoming a school counselor →

Skills and tools

Technical skills

  • Counseling techniques
  • Academic planning
  • College and career guidance
  • Crisis intervention
  • Group facilitation

People skills

  • Empathy
  • Listening
  • Confidentiality
  • Communication

All school counselor skills and tools →

Pros and cons

Pros

  • Help students in meaningful ways
  • Variety of tasks
  • School schedule
  • Respected role

Cons

  • Large caseloads
  • Emotional crises
  • Paperwork and scheduling
  • Requires a master’s degree

Certifications and licenses

  • State school counselor certification: Required for public schools.
  • National Certified Counselor (NCC): Credential from the National Board for Certified Counselors.
  • Global Career Development Facilitator: Career counseling credential.
  • Crisis intervention training: Training for emergencies.

Career path

  1. School Counselor Intern: Complete supervised internship.
  2. School Counselor: Support students.
  3. Lead Counselor: Coordinate programs.
  4. Director of Counseling: Lead district counseling.

Learn the job before day one

Our School Counselor training (12 hours, $109.99) covers the role, 15+ key terms, step-by-step procedures such as help a student build a college plan and respond to a student in crisis, safety and how to land your first job.

View School Counselor trainingIs this career right for me?

Social Worker

Help children and families stay safe, get support and overcome hard times.

  • $59,550
  • 4 years (BSW); 6 years for MSW

Substance Abuse Counselor

Help people recover from addiction and mental health challenges.

  • $59,350
  • 1–6 years depending on credential

High School Teacher

Teach teenagers a subject and prepare them for college, careers and life.

  • $72,040
  • 4 years plus licensing

Rehabilitation Counselor

Help people with disabilities live independently and find meaningful work.

  • $46,850
  • 6 years (bachelor’s + master’s)

Compare: School Counselor vs. Social Worker · School Counselor vs. Addiction Counselor · School Counselor vs. High School Teacher · School Counselor vs. Rehabilitation Counselor

School Counselor FAQ

Do school counselors need a master’s degree?

Yes, in most states.

Do counselors only help with college?

No. They also support academics, social and emotional needs and careers.

What’s the ASCA model?

A national framework for school counseling programs.

How much does a school counselor make?

The median annual wage for school counselors was $64,330 ($30.93 per hour) in May 2025, according to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics. The lowest 10% earned less than $45,020 and the highest 10% earned more than $104,770.

How long does it take to become a school counselor?

Most people need about Bachelor’s plus 2-year master’s of training. School counselors need a master’s degree in school counseling and a state certification or license. Many states require supervised internship hours.

Do you need a degree to be a school counselor?

Yes. Most states require school counselors to have a master’s degree in school counseling and a state certification. College advisors may need a bachelor’s or master’s degree.

More school counselor questions →

Sources

Reviewed by the Career Education Institute Curriculum Team. Pay figures are national estimates; local pay varies. See our editorial policy.

Enroll in trainingTake fit quiz