How to become educational, guidance, and career counselors and advisorseducation, training, experience and the steps to enter

United States Social Services Confidence ★★★★★

Median annual pay

$64,330

25th–75th pct. $51,270–$82,870

Top pay (est.)

$136,200

Top 10% $104,770

Pay in 5 years

$74,200est.

2031

Pay in 10 years

$85,500est.

$73,500–$99,300

Outlook score

50/100

★★★☆☆ Average

AI replacement risk

52%

Moderate

Job growth (10 yr)

+2.9%

28K openings / yr

How to become educational, guidance, and career counselors and advisors

Typical education

Master's degree

BLS

Related experience

None

On-the-job training

None

A step-by-step guide for this occupation is being prepared. The education, training and experience data above show the typical path.

Skills, education and requirements for Educational, Guidance, and Career Counselors and Advisors

Key skills

Social Perceptiveness

4.9

Reading Comprehension

4.2

Active Listening

4.1

Service Orientation

4.0

Critical Thinking

4.0

Active Learning

4.0

Writing

4.0

Speaking

4.0

O*NET skill level ratings (0–7).

Key knowledge areas

Customer and Personal Service

4.8

Education and Training

4.8

English Language

4.5

Administrative

4.5

Therapy and Counseling

4.1

Computers and Electronics

3.9

Psychology

3.8

Sociology and Anthropology

3.6

What the work involves

Getting InformationEstablishing and Maintaining Interpersonal RelationshipsMaking Decisions and Solving ProblemsUpdating and Using Relevant KnowledgeCommunicating with Supervisors, Peers, or SubordinatesEvaluating Information to Determine Compliance with StandardsProviding Consultation and Advice to OthersAnalyzing Data or Information

Important abilities

Oral ComprehensionOral ExpressionWritten ComprehensionWritten ExpressionDeductive ReasoningProblem Sensitivity

Education of workers

Associate's degree

Training before entry

1–3 months

21%

6–12 months

12%

3–6 months

None / short demo

1–2 years

Related work experience

1–2 years

38%

2–4 years

36%

4–6 years

6–12 months

3–6 months

None

Job Zone 5 — extensive preparation needed (O*NET)

Difficulty of entry: ★★★☆☆ Moderate (from education, training, experience and Job Zone)

Career path and how to earn more as educational, guidance, and career counselors and advisors

Career-path guidance is being prepared. Pay by percentile is shown in the Pay section.

Related occupations

	Occupation	Pay	Outlook	AI risk
1	Childcare Workers Attend to children at schools, businesses, private households, and childcare institutions.	$34,980	48/100	16%
2	Social and Human Service Assistants Assist other social and human service providers in providing client services in a wide variety of fields, such as psychology, rehabilitation, or social work, including support for families.	$45,930	62/100	40%
3	Child, Family, and School Social Workers Provide social services and assistance to improve the social and psychological functioning of children and their families and to maximize the family well-being and the academic functioning of children.	$59,550	58/100	43%
4	Healthcare Social Workers Provide individuals, families, and groups with the psychosocial support needed to cope with chronic, acute, or terminal illnesses.	$67,880	70/100	34%
5	Mental Health and Substance Abuse Social Workers Assess and treat individuals with mental, emotional, or substance abuse problems, including abuse of alcohol, tobacco, and/or other drugs.	$60,280	69/100	43%
6	Community and Social Service Specialists, All Other All community and social service specialists not listed separately.	$56,730	71/100	15%

Pay and employment figures are national statistics. Projected pay, outlook scores and AI replacement risk are estimates from the Shigoto Zukan model, not guarantees. To request a correction, use the contact form. How to read the data

Sources: BLS OEWS May 2025; BLS Employment Projections 2025–35; O*NET 31.0 Database by USDOL/ETA (CC BY 4.0), modified by Shigoto Zukan. Pay ranges, projections and scores are Shigoto Zukan estimates.