Advise and assist students and provide educational and vocational guidance services.
Educational, Guidance, and Career Counselors and Advisors
SOC: 21-1012 O*NET: 21-1012.00
Median Salary
$65,140
per year
Job Growth
➡️ 3.5%
Average (2024-2034)
Annual Openings
31
projected jobs/year
Education Level
Bachelor's degree plus work experience, or graduate degree
Job Zone 5
Advise and assist students and provide educational and vocational guidance services.
What does a Educational, Guidance, and Career Counselors and Advisors do?
How much can you earn?
Entry Level
$43,580
10th percentile
Early Career
$51,690
25th percentile
Median
$65,140
50th percentile
Experienced
$83,490
75th percentile
Top Earners
$105,870
90th percentile
National Salary Distribution
10th
$43,580
25th
$51,690
Middle 50%
MEDIAN
$65,140
Mean: $71,520
75th
$83,490
90th
$105,870
Middle 50% of earners
Median salary
Mean (average)
Key Insights
- •Salary range spans $62,290 from entry level to top earners
- •Middle 50% earn between $51,690 and $83,490
- •Salary spread is 48.8% around the median, showing high variation
- •Total national employment: 342,350 professionals
What's the job outlook?
Job Market Intelligence
Medium Demand
Market demand
Medium Risk
Automation risk
Current Employment
National Employment:376,300
Top Industries
Educational Services21.8%
Colleges, Universities, and Professional Schools10.9%
Elementary and Secondary Schools5.8%
10-Year Outlook
Growth Rate:+3.5%
Annual Openings:31,000
Employment Projections
2024 (Current)376,300
Current
2034 (Projected)389,600
+3.5%
+13,300
Employment Change
+3.5%
Growth Rate
10
Year Projection
Growth Category: As fast as average
Geographic Salary & Employment Data
Explore where Educational, Guidance, and Career Counselors and Advisors professionals work across the United States
Showing 15 of 50 locations
California
44,160 jobs$94,3201.10x
Texas
32,350 jobs$65,6601.05x
New York
22,660 jobs$69,9001.07x
Florida
21,080 jobs$54,0800.97x
Ohio
13,030 jobs$61,9601.06x
Illinois
12,790 jobs$61,2100.95x
Massachusetts
11,850 jobs$78,8401.46x
Pennsylvania
11,500 jobs$61,4600.86x
Georgia
10,890 jobs$63,9901.01x
North Carolina
9,630 jobs$57,1000.89x
Missouri
8,960 jobs$53,7901.38x
Virginia
8,810 jobs$67,3500.98x
Michigan
7,950 jobs$63,2400.82x
New Jersey
7,590 jobs$77,9400.80x
South Carolina
7,170 jobs$57,4001.42x
Understanding the Data
Location Quotient (LQ):
- • LQ > 1.0: More jobs than national average
- • LQ = 1.0: Same as national average
- • LQ < 1.0: Fewer jobs than national average
Data Source:
Bureau of Labor Statistics Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS), May 2024
Key Growth Factors
- •Average growth expected
What skills do you need?
Top 10 Most Important Skills
#1
Active Listening
100%
#2
Customer and Personal Service
100%
#3
Oral Expression
100%
#4
Speaking
94%
#5
Oral Comprehension
92%
#6
English Language
88%
#7
Social Perceptiveness
86%
#8
Written Comprehension
82%
#9
Service Orientation
80%
#10
Therapy and Counseling
76%
Skills Overview
Active Listening
advanced5.0
100%
Customer and Personal Service
advanced5.0
100%
Oral Expression
advanced5.0
100%
Speaking
advanced4.7
94%
Oral Comprehension
advanced4.6
92%
English Language
intermediate4.4
88%
Social Perceptiveness
intermediate4.3
86%
Written Comprehension
intermediate4.1
82%
Skills are rated on a scale of 0-5, with 5 being the most important. The complexity level indicates how advanced the skill typically needs to be.
Filter:
Sort by:
Active Listening
advancedImportance100%
skills
5.0/5.0
Customer and Personal Service
advancedImportance100%
knowledge
5.0/5.0
Oral Expression
advancedImportance100%
abilities
5.0/5.0
Speaking
advancedImportance94%
skills
4.7/5.0
Oral Comprehension
advancedImportance92%
abilities
4.6/5.0
English Language
intermediateImportance88%
knowledge
4.4/5.0
Social Perceptiveness
intermediateImportance86%
skills
4.3/5.0
Written Comprehension
intermediateImportance82%
abilities
4.1/5.0
Service Orientation
intermediateImportance80%
skills
4.0/5.0
Therapy and Counseling
intermediateImportance76%
knowledge
3.8/5.0
Writing
intermediateImportance74%
skills
3.7/5.0
Written Expression
intermediateImportance74%
abilities
3.7/5.0
Highly Transferable Skills
These skills are valuable across multiple career paths, making career transitions easier:
Adult Basic Education, Adult Secondary Education, and English as a Second Language Instructors82%
5 shared skills
Career/Technical Education Teachers, Middle School82%
5 shared skills
Career/Technical Education Teachers, Postsecondary82%
5 shared skills
Dental Assistants82%
5 shared skills
Family and Consumer Sciences Teachers, Postsecondary82%
5 shared skills
Human Resources Assistants, Except Payroll and Timekeeping82%
5 shared skills
Skills by Career Stage
Entry Level
Must Have:
- ✓Active Listening
- ✓Speaking
- ✓Social Perceptiveness
- ✓Service Orientation
- ✓Customer and Personal Service
Learn on the Job:
- →Learning Strategies
- →Education and Training
- →Psychology
Mid Career
Expected:
- ✓Active Listening
- ✓Speaking
- ✓Social Perceptiveness
- ✓Service Orientation
- ✓Customer and Personal Service
Senior Level
Mastery Required:
- ★Active Listening
- ★Speaking
- ★Social Perceptiveness
- ★Service Orientation
- ★Customer and Personal Service
Skill Development Tips
- •Focus on developing the top 5 skills first - they have the highest impact on career success
- •Transferable skills open doors to related careers and provide flexibility
- •Balance technical skills with soft skills for well-rounded professional development
- •Entry-level positions prioritize foundational skills that can be built upon over time
What technology will you use?
Technology & Digital Skills
Essential technology proficiencies for Educational, Guidance, and Career Counselors and Advisors
Technology Intensity
Very High
Digital Literacy Requirements
This career requires expert digital literacy
1
Basic
2
Intermediate
3
Advanced
4
Expert
Key Digital Competencies:
Advanced software proficiencySystem architecture understandingAutomation and scriptingEmerging technology adaptationTechnical problem-solving
🔥
Hot Technologies in Demand
These technologies are currently trending and highly sought after in this field
Microsoft SQL Server Reporting Services SSRS
🔥 Hot TechMicrosoft Access
🔥 Hot TechMicrosoft SharePoint
🔥 Hot TechMicrosoft Outlook
🔥 Hot TechMicrosoft Dynamics
🔥 Hot TechOracle PeopleSoft
🔥 Hot TechAdobe Photoshop
🔥 Hot TechMicrosoft Office software
🔥 Hot TechMicrosoft PowerPoint
🔥 Hot TechMicrosoft Project
🔥 Hot TechMicrosoft Excel
🔥 Hot TechTechnology Stack
Technology Stack Overview
Key technologies used in this career
Microsoft SQL Server Reporting Services SSRS
Microsoft Access
Microsoft SharePoint
Microsoft Outlook
Microsoft Dynamics
Oracle PeopleSoft
Adobe Photoshop
Microsoft Office software
Microsoft PowerPoint
Microsoft Project
Microsoft Excel
Facebook
📚 Technology Learning Resources
Recommended Certifications
- •Vendor-specific software certifications
- •Industry-recognized technology credentials
- •Professional development courses
Online Learning Platforms
- •LinkedIn Learning - Comprehensive technology courses
- •Coursera - University-level programs
- •Udemy - Practical skills training
💡 Technology Skill Development Tips
- •Focus on mastering hot technologies first - they're currently most in-demand
- •Build a portfolio demonstrating your proficiency with key tools and software
- •Stay current through continuous learning - technology evolves rapidly
- •Consider vendor certifications to validate your skills to employers
What's the work environment like?
🏢
Location
MOSTLY INDOOR
💪
Physical Demand
MODERATE
👥
Team Orientation
CONSTANT TEAM
🤝
Customer Interaction
CONSTANT
💡Is This Work Environment Right for You?
Consider these factors when evaluating if you'll thrive in this work environment:
- •Are you comfortable working in mostly indoor environments?
- •Can you meet moderate physical demands?
- •Do you enjoy constant team team environments?
- •Are you comfortable working with safety protocols and protective equipment?
What are the key tasks?
Tasks & Responsibilities
21
Core Tasks
8
Daily Tasks
20
Work Activities
0
Emerging Tasks
Filter:
Sort by:
Documentation & Record-Keeping (3)General Responsibilities (10)Planning & Development (3)Analysis & Evaluation (2)Training & Development (2)Management & Supervision (1)
1
Maintain accurate and complete student records as required by laws, district policies, and administrative regulations.
🔴Daily
Importance:
Documentation & Record-Keeping100% perform100%
2
Provide crisis intervention to students when difficult situations occur at schools.
🔴Daily
Importance:
General Responsibilities97% perform98%
3
Prepare students for later educational experiences by encouraging them to explore learning opportunities and to persevere with challenging tasks.
🔴Daily
Importance:
Documentation & Record-Keeping94% perform96%
4
Provide students with information on topics such as college degree programs and admission requirements, financial aid opportunities, trade and technical schools, and apprenticeship programs.
🔴Daily
Importance:
General Responsibilities91% perform94%
5
Teach classes and present self-help or information sessions on subjects related to education and career planning.
🔴Daily
Importance:
Planning & Development88% perform92%
6
Conduct follow-up interviews with counselees to determine if their needs have been met.
🔴Daily
Importance:
General Responsibilities85% perform90%
7
Prepare reports on students and activities as required by administration.
🔴Daily
Importance:
Documentation & Record-Keeping82% perform88%
8
Plan and conduct orientation programs and group conferences to promote the adjustment of individuals to new life experiences, such as starting college.
🔴Daily
Importance:
Planning & Development79% perform86%
9
Assess needs for assistance, such as rehabilitation, financial aid, or additional vocational training, and refer clients to the appropriate services.
🟡Weekly
Importance:
Analysis & Evaluation76% perform84%
10
Instruct individuals in career development techniques, such as job search and application strategies, resume writing, and interview skills.
🟡Weekly
Importance:
Planning & Development73% perform82%
💡 Key Takeaways
- •Daily tasks focus primarily on documentation & record-keeping activities
- •33% of tasks are performed by most workers in this occupation
- •Career advancement brings increased leadership and strategic responsibilities
What career paths are available?
Career Pathways
0
Advancement Opportunities
0
Lateral Move Options
0%
Avg. Salary Increase
Advancement Opportunities
Typical career progression paths from Educational, Guidance, and Career Counselors and Advisors
💡 Career Planning Tips
- •Most successful advancement happens after 3-5 years of experience
- •Lateral moves can provide valuable cross-functional experience for future leadership roles
- •Focus on developing skills that are transferable across multiple career paths
- •Consider industry trends when planning long-term career moves
Is this career right for you?
Personality & Values Fit
Is This Career Right for You?
Educational, Guidance, and Career Counselors and Advisors professionals typically have a SEA Holland code and highly value relationships
SSocial
EEnterprising
AArtistic
Important Personality Traits
Work styles that contribute to success as a Educational, Guidance, and Career Counselors and Advisors
Concern for Others
CriticalConcern for Others
Importance Level4.82
Cooperation
CriticalCooperation
Importance Level4.62
Social Orientation
Very ImportantSocial Orientation
Importance Level4.42
Integrity
Very ImportantIntegrity
Importance Level4.41
Dependability
Very ImportantDependability
Importance Level4.40
Self-Control
Very ImportantSelf-Control
Importance Level4.25
Complete Work Styles Profile
Concern for Others
4.8
Cooperation
4.6
Social Orientation
4.4
Integrity
4.4
Dependability
4.4
Self-Control
4.3
Stress Tolerance
4.1
Attention to Detail
4.1
Adaptability/Flexibility
4.1
Persistence
3.9
💡 Tips for Career Fit Success
- •While personality fit is important, skills can be developed with practice and training
- •Consider informational interviews to better understand the day-to-day personality requirements
- •Work environments vary by employer - research specific companies for cultural fit
- •Your interests and values may evolve - reassess periodically throughout your career
What education is required?
Education Level
Bachelor's degree plus work experience, or graduate degree
Typical duration: 4 years
Preparation Level
Job Zone 5
Extensive Preparation Needed
Experience Needed
Extensive skill, knowledge, and experience needed
📚 Education Requirement
Required Level:Bachelor's degree plus work experience, or graduate degree
Most of these occupations require graduate school. These may include master's, doctoral, or professional degrees.
Training:
Extensive training and work experience required
💼 Experience Requirement
Extensive skill, knowledge, and experience needed
Common pathways to gain experience:
- • Master's or doctoral degree
- • Extensive work experience in the field
- • State licensure or professional certification
5
Job Zone Five: Extensive Preparation Needed
Most of these occupations require graduate school. These may include master's, doctoral, or professional degrees.
Master's or doctoral degreeExtensive work experience in the fieldState licensure or professional certification
Ready to Start Your Journey?
Explore educational programs that can help you become a Educational, Guidance, and Career Counselors and Advisors.
Browse Training Programs →Trade Colleges That Train for Educational, Guidance, and Career Counselors and Advisors
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Fresno, CA
470 program completions/year
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Merced, CA
460 program completions/year
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Pasadena, CA
432 program completions/year
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Albuquerque, NM
426 program completions/year
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