School and Career Counselors and Advisors

School counselors help students develop academic and social skills and plans for after graduation. Career counselors and advisors help students and other clients develop skills, explore an occupation, or choose an educational program that will lead to a career.

Duties

School counselors typically do the following:

• Help students understand and overcome social or behavioral challenges
• Analyze data to identify factors, such as poor attendance, that negatively affect academic performance
• Advise individuals and small groups based on their needs
• Work with students to develop skills that support learning, such as effective time management and study habits
• Evaluate students’ abilities and interests through aptitude assessments and interviews
• Collaborate with teachers and families to help students plan academic, career, and social goals
• Teach students and school staff about specific topics such as bullying and drug use
• Present options to students for educational or vocational plans after graduation
• Maintain records as required
• Report cases of possible neglect or abuse and refer students and parents to resources for additional support

The specific duties of school counselors vary with their students' ages.

Elementary school counselors visit classrooms or meet with students individually or in groups to help them develop their social and academic skills. They also meet with parents or guardians to discuss the child’s strengths and weaknesses, challenges, or special needs. School counselors work with teachers and administrators to ensure that the curriculum addresses students’ developmental and academic needs.

Middle school counselors work with school staff and families to help students improve their decision-making, study, and social skills. These counselors support students going through challenges in school or at home and offer one-on-one meetings to discuss these challenges. Middle school counselors also assist students in their transition to high school, preparing them for the next level of academic and social development.

High school counselors advise students in making academic and career plans. Many help students overcome personal issues that interfere with their academic development. They help students choose classes and plan for their lives after graduation. Counselors provide information about choosing and applying for colleges, training programs, financial aid, and internships and apprenticeships. They may present career lessons to help students learn how to search and apply for jobs.

Career counselors and advisors typically do the following:

• Use aptitude and achievement assessments to help students or clients evaluate their interests, skills, and abilities
• Evaluate students’ or clients’ background, education, and training, to help them develop realistic goals
• Guide students in making decisions about careers, such as choosing an occupation and the type of degree to pursue
• Help students select and apply for educational programs to obtain the necessary degrees, credentials, and skills
• Teach students or clients job-search skills, such as interviewing and networking
• Assist clients in locating and applying for jobs, by teaching them strategies that will be helpful in finding openings and writing a résumé

The specific duties of career counselors and advisors vary by student or client.

Career coaches work with people who have already entered the workforce. These counselors develop plans with customized objectives and activities to improve their clients’ careers. They motivate their clients and support them to achieve the goals they set together. Career coaches also provide advice about entering a new occupation or helping to resolve workplace issues.

College advisors help students choose a major or determine the jobs they are qualified for with their degrees. These advisors also help people find and get jobs by teaching them job search, résumé writing, and interviewing techniques. College advisors often specialize in counseling students in one area of the college experience, such as admissions or financial aid.

Some career counselors work in outplacement firms and assist laid-off workers with transitioning into new jobs or careers.

School and career counselors and advisors held about 376,300 jobs in 2024. The largest employers of school and career counselors and advisors were as follows:

Work Schedules

Both types of counselors and advisors usually work full time. Most counselors and advisors who work in schools and colleges may not work when school is not in session, such as during the summer.

Most school counselors need a master’s degree in school counseling or a related field and have a state-issued credential. Some states require licensure for career counselors and advisors. 

The median annual wage for school and career counselors and advisors was $65,140 in May 2024.

Employment of school and career counselors and advisors is projected to grow 4 percent from 2024 to 2034, about as fast as the average for all occupations.

About 31,000 openings for school and career counselors and advisors are projected each year, on average, over the decade. Many of those openings are expected to result from the need to replace workers who transfer to different occupations or exit the labor force, such as to retire.