Career comparison
Psychology Professor vs. School Counselor
Side-by-side pay, training, growth and day-to-day duties to help you choose between two related careers.
Psychology professors earn more at the median ($80,340 vs. $64,330), while psychology professors usually get to work faster (5–7 years after a bachelor’s of training). Psychology professors teach how people think, feel and behave, and research the mind. School counselors help students succeed academically, socially and in planning their futures.
Pay data: BLS OEWS, May 2025 · Outlook: BLS 2025–35 · Checked October 15, 2026
| Psychology Professor | School Counselor | |
|---|---|---|
| Median pay | $80,340 | $64,330 ($30.93/hr) |
| Pay range (10th–90th) | $49,050 – $153,600 | $45,020 – $104,770 |
| Job growth, 2025–35 | +4.0% (about as fast as average) | +2.9% (about as fast as average) |
| Openings per year | 3,700 | 27,800 |
| Typical entry education | Doctoral or professional degree | Master's degree |
| Training time | 5–7 years after a bachelor’s | Bachelor’s plus 2-year master’s |
| Key credential | Ph.D. in psychology | State school counselor certification |
| Work setting | Faculty work in classrooms, research labs and offices.. | Counselors work in schools, colleges and career centers, in offices and classrooms.. |
What each job does
Psychology Professor
- Teach psychology courses
- Teach research methods and statistics
- Run a research lab
- Supervise student researchers
- Conduct studies
School Counselor
- 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
How they’re similar
Both careers involve working with people, helping others, and indoor work. Both are part of the education & childcare field, so many skills transfer between them.
Which should you choose?
Choose psychology professor if…
- I love psychology
- I enjoy research
- I like mentoring
Choose school counselor if…
- I want to help students succeed
- I’m a good listener
- I can handle emotional situations
Still torn? Take the Psychology Professor fit quiz and the School Counselor fit quiz, or the full Career Match Quiz.
Quick comparisons
Which pays more, psychology professor or school counselor?
Psychology Professors earn more at the median: $80,340 versus $64,330 for school counselors, based on BLS May 2025 data.
Which takes less time to train for?
Psychology Professors typically train faster (5–7 years after a bachelor’s) than school counselors (Bachelor’s plus 2-year master’s).
Which career has better job growth?
BLS projects psychology professors to grow +4.0% from 2025–35, compared with +2.9% for school counselors.