Educational, Guidance, and Career Counselors and Advisors
Advise and assist students and provide educational and vocational guidance services.
SOC: 21-1012.00
Common Job Titles
Academic Advisor
Career Counselor
Guidance Counselor
School Counselor
What You'll Need to Succeed
AI-generated
Key competencies for this occupation at a glance
MindsetIntegrate student concerns with institutional resources and support services when establishing therapeutic relationships in educational or career counseling settings.
Proficient
KnowledgeEvaluate student academic performance, career interests, and personal circumstances to determine appropriate educational pathways and intervention strategies.
Proficient
MindsetEngage diverse student populations through active listening and social perceptiveness during one-on-one and group counseling sessions.
Proficient
KnowledgeAnalyze student assessment data and career inventories using computerized diagnostic and career guidance systems to inform counseling recommendations.
Proficient
KnowledgeDevelop individualized academic and career action plans by synthesizing student goals with labor market information and educational requirements.
Proficient
MindsetAdvocate for student needs and accommodations when collaborating with administrators, faculty, and external service providers.
Proficient
KnowledgeInterpret psychological assessments, standardized test results, and career exploration tools to communicate meaningful insights to students and stakeholders.
Proficient
KnowledgeApply counseling theories and behavioral intervention strategies when addressing student academic challenges, personal crises, and career indecision.
Proficient
Hands-onOperate student information systems, case management software, and digital collaboration platforms to document counseling sessions and track student progress independently.
Proficient
KnowledgeEvaluate compliance with educational standards, legal requirements, and ethical guidelines when delivering counseling services and maintaining confidential student records.
Proficient
MindsetReconcile conflicting stakeholder perspectives on student development and academic progress during mediation and crisis intervention with students, families, and school personnel.
Proficient
KnowledgeDesign group workshops and outreach programming on academic success, career readiness, and personal development topics using presentation technology and interactive learning strategies.
Proficient
Wage Data According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics
Annual wage data for Educational, Guidance, and Career Counselors and Advisors (2024)
Estimated Total Employment (U.S.)
342,350
Wage Distribution by Percentile
Line chart of annual wages by percentile. U.S. is the solid line. 10th percentile: U.S. $43,580. 25th percentile: U.S. $51,690. 50th percentile: U.S. $65,140. 75th percentile: U.S. $83,490. 90th percentile: U.S. $105,870. Use the left and right arrow keys to move between percentiles.
U.S.
Metric
U.S.
10% of workers earn the following or less
$43,580
10% of workers earn the following or more
$105,870
Workers on average earn
$71,520
+ indicates wage is at or above the BLS reporting cap ($239,200/year)
Skills & Requirements
Key competencies for this occupation, ranked by importance
Customer and Personal Service4.1/5
English Language3.9/5
Therapy and Counseling3.6/5
Education and Training3.4/5
Psychology3.1/5
Skills & Requirements: Knowledge
Tools & Technology
Equipment and software commonly used in this occupation
