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| Year | # of jobs | % of population |
|---|---|---|
| 2021 | 437 | 0.00% |
| 2020 | 433 | 0.00% |
| 2019 | 432 | 0.00% |
| 2018 | 411 | 0.00% |
| 2017 | 384 | 0.00% |
| Year | Avg. salary | Hourly rate | % Change |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2026 | $69,468 | $33.40 | +3.1% |
| 2025 | $67,362 | $32.39 | +2.4% |
| 2024 | $65,753 | $31.61 | +2.5% |
| 2023 | $64,145 | $30.84 | +2.0% |
| 2022 | $62,916 | $30.25 | +2.7% |
| Rank | State | Population | # of jobs | Employment/ 1000ppl |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Massachusetts | 6,859,819 | 2,252 | 33% |
| 2 | District of Columbia | 693,972 | 180 | 26% |
| 3 | Alaska | 739,795 | 158 | 21% |
| 4 | Maine | 1,335,907 | 248 | 19% |
| 5 | Maryland | 6,052,177 | 1,087 | 18% |
| 6 | Montana | 1,050,493 | 166 | 16% |
| 7 | Pennsylvania | 12,805,537 | 1,669 | 13% |
| 8 | Washington | 7,405,743 | 923 | 12% |
| 9 | Arizona | 7,016,270 | 810 | 12% |
| 10 | Minnesota | 5,576,606 | 680 | 12% |
| 11 | Colorado | 5,607,154 | 662 | 12% |
| 12 | Nebraska | 1,920,076 | 237 | 12% |
| 13 | Rhode Island | 1,059,639 | 124 | 12% |
| 14 | North Dakota | 755,393 | 87 | 12% |
| 15 | Virginia | 8,470,020 | 929 | 11% |
| 16 | Oregon | 4,142,776 | 441 | 11% |
| 17 | Connecticut | 3,588,184 | 383 | 11% |
| 18 | New Hampshire | 1,342,795 | 151 | 11% |
| 19 | Delaware | 961,939 | 107 | 11% |
| 20 | Vermont | 623,657 | 70 | 11% |
| Rank | City | # of jobs | Employment/ 1000ppl | Avg. salary |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Carbondale | 1 | 4% | $78,082 |
| 2 | Wilmington | 2 | 3% | $83,787 |
| 3 | Merrillville | 1 | 3% | $80,100 |
| 4 | New Albany | 1 | 3% | $80,186 |
| 5 | Battle Creek | 1 | 2% | $66,127 |
| 6 | Beverly | 1 | 2% | $79,793 |
| 7 | Bradenton | 1 | 2% | $67,642 |
| 8 | Pontiac | 1 | 2% | $66,313 |
| 9 | Portage | 1 | 2% | $66,109 |
| 10 | Saginaw | 1 | 2% | $65,818 |
| 11 | Sarasota | 1 | 2% | $67,557 |
| 12 | Gainesville | 1 | 1% | $67,558 |
| 13 | Grand Rapids | 1 | 1% | $65,762 |
| 14 | Lafayette | 1 | 1% | $80,297 |
| 15 | Lansing | 1 | 1% | $66,024 |
| 16 | Muncie | 1 | 1% | $80,790 |
| 17 | Somerville | 1 | 1% | $80,392 |
| 18 | Detroit | 1 | 0% | $66,474 |
| 19 | Orlando | 1 | 0% | $67,385 |
Louisiana State University at Shreveport

North Dakota State University

Austin Community College
Tiffin University
Loyola University Chicago

University of the Incarnate Word

Montana State University

Bethel University

Kent State University

Maryville University
University of Lynchburg
University of Lynchburg

Marshall University

University of Arkansas at Little Rock

East Tennessee State University

University of Oregon
Miami Dade College

Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University

Ohio University
Emily Yowell Ph.D.: Psychologists should be aware of what others in their field are making for similar positions. It is important to ask for what your work is worth in an initial position to assure raises are based on a solid starting salary. Newer psychologists may also consider asking for an early review that prompts an early conversation around potential raises, bonus, or other job benefits.
Louisiana State University at Shreveport
Department Of Psychology
Kacie Blalock Ph.D.: It is important that counselors are able to effectively take notes and summarize progress, interpret assessments, memorize and recall information, and keep clear yet concise records.

North Dakota State University
Human Development and Family Science
Joel Hektner Ph.D.: The ability to adapt your skills to the context you are in.

Austin Community College
Human Services Department
Michelle Kelley Shuler Ph.D.: a. Must have strong basic computer skills and knowledge of software such as excel spreadsheets, google docs, etc. Most, if not all, agencies use electronic health records and treatment planning, so it is necessary to be competent in this area.
b. A degree and additional certifications will assist you in seeking employment. It will also increase your level of competency and diversify the communities you serve. For example, at Austin Community College, we offer our students a chance to complete a certification in Mental Health First Aid Training. This increases their marketability and skill level.
Tiffin University
Department of Behavioral and Social Sciences
Jonathan Appel Ph.D.: Clinical practice license/certifications are often critical for marketability and employment. At Tiffin University we provide a training track for Psychology students to get a Chemical Dependency License to practice with an undergraduate degree. There is a nationwide shortage for licensed addiction specialists. The demand for licensed counselors in this area has increased greater than the supply.
These students are very often among the first of our graduates to get hired. Opportunities are only increasing as the The American Rescue Plan Act will provide $4 billion for substance use disorder and mental health services.
We also provide close advising and assist students to attend graduate school to obtain additional clinical licenses in the fields of psychology, counseling and social work.
Jonathan Appel Ph.D.: The pandemic has exacerbated mental health issues and needs all across the world. People need social interaction for well-being. The pandemic has contributed to increases in mental health and addictive disorders. Knowledge, training, treatment for psychological well-being has become even more critical as a personal and professional required skill across all fields.
Being able to understand and adapt to the limits of distance work will also be a lasting impact.
Jonathan Appel Ph.D.: Mixing unusual majors and minors-to stand out in the crowd often can help student marketability. For example I recently have been working with a psychology student to establish a business minor. This can prepare the student work in human resource management as well as the human service field.
Obtaining an advanced graduate degree often helps.
Loyola University Chicago
School of Education
Sheryl Covitt: -Diversity in skills: virtual, hybrid, in-person
-Flexibility with assignments: being able to teach multiple groups/topics in a variety of settings
-Use of technology
Sheryl Covitt: I make sure that the resumes candidates share with me are clearly and concisely written and make a positive impression quickly, as this is the first document an interviewer will read. The description of each of their school-based experiences should include action words that describe what they did and with whom. Using key words such as progress monitoring, cultural/racial diversity, differentiation, working with families, relationship building, use of technology (this is a big one!), and collaboration will (hopefully) encourage the interviewer to explore that further with the candidate during the interview. I also let them know that resumes should include skills and accomplishments that are relevant to schools' needs. This requires them to do his/her research about the school district prior to submitting a resume to that school and before going in for the interview.
Sheryl Covitt: I can't speak to locations outside the Chicagoland area but I can surmise that in communities around the country, urban, suburban and rural, there is a huge need for teachers especially as there has been a documented increase in the number of teachers retiring due to the pandemic and/or are of Baby Boomer age. Per the literature, there is an increased need for teachers in special education which includes pre-K, inclusion and lo-incidence, English as a Second Language, and specialty areas in both elementary and high school.
In Chicago, the need for teachers is city-wide-not just in the high-need areas. Chicago Public Schools has The Early Offer Program which provides student teaching candidates a chance to interview with a member of the CPS teacher recruitment staff well in advance of the traditional hiring season. If they think the candidate is a good fit, they will extend a guaranteed offer to teach in CPS, and then work with them throughout the spring and summer to meet principals and find a teaching position that is an ideal fit for you. As I understand the caveat with this program, it's that they seek to place candidates in schools in high need areas of the city and this may dissuade candidates from pursuing this option.
There ARE teaching jobs available and some of variables that candidates need to seriously consider before accepting a position are:
-salary
-benefits
-professional development
-supervision/mentoring
-the financial stability of the district and the past trends when balancing budgets
-viability of the content area in terms of district need.

University of the Incarnate Word
Department of Psychology
Dr. Maria Felix-Ortiz Ph.D.: No one will forget this pandemic because of the major behavioral changes it has required of us (e.g., masking, washing hands thoroughly and frequently, avoiding crowds, keeping 6-8 ft of distance from others), the tragic loss of life, and the negative effect on the economy. Because of the effect on the economy, many graduates may have some more difficulty than usual in finding employment. However, this may be a good time to pursue graduate studies!
Recent graduates might work in volunteer positions with nonprofits until they can land a good entry-level position. Volunteers can make important new connections, develop new skills, and sometimes even be hired into the organization they're assisting or into a partner organization. There are even opportunities to volunteer to assist organizations "online": Most social service organizations are delivering services through online meetings. We were fortunate to have the internet (something that didn't exist when I was looking for my first job), because it will be an important resource for new graduates. The pandemic will produce a generation of graduates that are more comfortable with speaking and interacting through online meetings.
Dr. Maria Felix-Ortiz Ph.D.: A good cover letter! Unfortunately, many applicants forget the importance of submitting a cover letter for the resume and HR usually skims a cover letter to see if the applicant's skills match the skills described in the job advertisement. Use the language of the job description to describe skills you may bring to the work! Beyond this, applicants can impress those hiring with an internship or research assistantship where the student has worked for two or more semesters, with skills in a second language and culture OR being very "fluent" in technology, with a substantial study-abroad experience, and/or some sort of research product (e.g., a poster, a paper accepted to a journal).

Edward Dunbar: Yes. Prior to this pandemic our graduates had little to no training in telehealth (distance-based counseling), and there was a steep learning curve for people who graduated and entered the field prior to the pandemic. For our current students, we have been able to assist them with developing the skills for multiple modes of counseling (telehealth, in person counseling, etc.). Additionally, the increase in mental health issues, addiction issues, domestic violence, and unemployment will affect our graduating students for years. They will need to be well-versed in treating higher acuity issues and helping clients from low SES. The pandemic has also highlighted the social systems and systemic injustice/racism which has made our students look more closely at the role of power/privilege and oppression in addictions and mental health counseling.
Dr. Amy Evans: What tends to stand out for applicants is often a variety of experiences. Showing one's experience with both group and individual counseling as well as any crisis intervention work helps to highlight skills the counselor may have developed. Volunteer experience that shows the passion a counselor might have for advocacy is also helpful. Carefully crafted resumes that show one's fit for the particular job is always important!

Dr. Andrew Wiley Ph.D.: Before the pandemic, the number of students who needed special education was already on the rise. There is no question that the pandemic will increase that number even further. This pandemic has had a negative impact on the learning and development of millions of kids. Reversing the damage will require an influx of dedicated and skilled specialists on a national scale.
Also, there was an acute shortage of licensed special education teachers before the pandemic. Now, the demand for qualified special educators will be greater than ever before. In addition to offering an incredible range of career opportunities, special education offers a unique opportunity to make a tremendous difference for children and their families. This is true now more than ever before.
Dr. Andrew Wiley Ph.D.: Graduates from the special education program at Kent State demonstrate adaptive expertise. The "expertise" is in specially designed instruction and interventions in academics, life skills, social skills, communication - whatever the special educational needs of students with disabilities may be. The "adaptive" refers to the ability to collaborate with other professionals to solve problems. What stands out on resumes is expert training in both research-based special education practices and the ability to function within a team. Kent State's special education program provides both.
Dr. Andrew Wiley Ph.D.: There is a demand for fully credentialled special educators in every part of the country. The demand is highest in both rural and urban areas, but suburban districts also need special educators. Ohio, Pennsylvania, and Michigan are all good places for a career in special education because of the particularly high salary compared to cost of living. But again, there are many special education careers to choose from anywhere in the United States. The demand continues to grow.

Michael Kiener Ph.D.: Regardless if you are counseling in person or virtually effective professionals will need to develop empathetic therapeutic relationships with their clients. Rehabilitation counselors that have experience working with post-traumatic stress and other forms of trauma will be highly valuable. The increased use of working remotely will require individuals to develop new technology skills and rehabilitation counselors who can work independently will be successful. Finally, volunteering, participation in professional organizations, and internships will help make individuals stand out when applying for jobs.
University of Lynchburg
College of Education, Leadership Studies, & Counseling
Daniel Hall Ph.D.: I do believe there will be an enduring impact from the coronavirus - not just on graduates, but on the mental health profession. Graduates will have personal experience with many of the stressors that might bring clients in for counseling services. So, it is my hope that all practitioners moving forward will have increased empathy and understanding that will contribute to their efficacy with clients across a spectrum of concerns.
As a profession, mental health counselors will need to be sure that they have engaged in appropriate self-care to mitigate any of the psychological effects of the pandemic they may be experiencing themselves. And, finally, there has been a huge expansion in the teletronic delivery of mental health services during Covid times. Even as face-to-face counseling becomes more widely available and returns as a viable and available option, electronic services have earned an acceptance that did not exist prior to the pandemic, and that delivery model will continue to be far more prevalent than it was before.
Daniel Hall Ph.D.: Specificity is an essential highlight that stands out on a resume - particularly as it relates to experience in the field. That means enough detail to clearly articulate professional skills. So, for example, not just a mention of facilitating small groups, but rather the topic of the group, the theoretical approach, etc. And, perhaps more importantly, outcomes. Applicants will really stand out if they can reference engagement in evidence-based best practices and then have data that demonstrates the success they have had in application and facilitation of those practices.
University of Lynchburg
College of Education, Leadership Studies, and Counseling
Jeanne Booth Ph.D.: As I just mentioned, counselors will now be expected to have skills specific to online delivery of services. The ethical challenge will be that this skill set should be founded upon solid, professional training in teletherapy, not just offering services without related pedagogy, experience, and supervision. Also, because counseling practice will have undergone this "sea change" everyone in the profession will need increased measures of two qualities that were always inherent in the professional practice: flexibility and the ability to cooperate and collaborate both within an agency and across a service community.

Peggy Proudfoot Harman Ph.D.: There are several levels of social work education, and each provides essential qualifications for a variety of professional roles. A Bachelor of Social Work (BSW) from a Council on Social Work Education (CSWE) accredited program provides professionals with the skills to deliver case management, home health social services, and child welfare social services, to name a few. An important point to remember is that all BSW and Master of Social Work (MSW) programs must be accredited by CSWE.
There are approximately 255 CSWE accredited MSW programs in the United States. Not all MSW programs are alike with regard to specializations and program options. MSW program options range from face-to-face classes that are held once or twice weekly, to virtual courses offered through remote learning platforms such as Blackboard featuring synchronous and asynchronous sessions, and finally, totally online courses and programs.
There is a wide range of social work specializations in MSW programs. For example, behavioral health services administration, policy practice, behavioral health services, substance use disorders practice, military social work, and school social work. Many programs that are focused on behavioral health have responded to the fallout from the recent pandemic, taking into consideration client travel and health issues, and are offering courses in tele-behavioral health. These courses prepare students to provide services remotely and will continue to be needed in the future.
The field of social work is always growing, and actually, thrives when the environment is experiencing a crisis. Social workers are experienced in crisis intervention and are highly-trained to conduct assessments and interventions. Both BSW and MSW graduates entering the workforce this year will find that they are in high demand, and employers in this working environment will find social workers who are prepared to provide quality assessments and interventions in the most difficult situations.

University of Arkansas at Little Rock
School of Social Work
Kim Jones Ph.D.: The necessary skills for today's market include the ability to implement evidence-informed mental health approaches, the ability to display empathy, knowledge of crisis intervention models, organizational skills, good work ethic, both verbal and written communication skills, cultural competence, and the ability to adapt to changing technology.

East Tennessee State University
Department of Counseling and Human Services
Jamie Brown Ph.D.: We know that many of our graduates are drawn to the field of Human Services due to the issues they have faced in their own lives. We have seen an uptick in students sharing the fact they have struggled with Adverse Childhood Experiences during our remote teaching and advising. We need to be aware of Trauma-Informed teaching and outreach as a program and as a university.
Jamie Brown Ph.D.: Community involvement and activism can set a potential candidate apart from other applicants.

Dr. Julie Alonzo Ph.D.: Cultural competency, knowledge of social emotional learning, and familiarity with the tenets of Response to Intervention (RTI) are all skills that will help enhance educators' competitiveness. If a graduate needs to take a gap year, there are many ways to ensure that they continue to develop these skills. They might serve as a mentor to an at-risk student (many schools have active mentor programs), teach in an after-school tutoring program (these can be set up for remote or in-person instruction), or work on improving their knowledge of the different languages spoken by families in the community where they are hoping to work. Enhancing one's knowledge of anti-racism teaching practices will help make a graduate more effective as an educator as well as more competitive in the job market.
Dr. Julie Alonzo Ph.D.: Most of the students in our Educational Leadership program at the University of Oregon are full-time educators already, and they enter our program to enhance their expertise and earn a doctorate while continuing to teach or work in school administration. For these students, graduation often provides the opportunity to take on new leadership responsibilities in their schools or districts. The advice I give to them is to remain in contact with their colleagues from the program, to remain actively engaged in learning and supporting one another, and to seek ways to support others in their schools and districts who demonstrate an interest in developing their leadership skills.
For people graduating with degrees in Educational Leadership who are just starting their careers in education, I advise taking the time to think critically about new initiatives that come their way and to seek input from experienced educators about the viability of ideas before they rush to adopt or promote them. Sometimes an idea might be appealing on paper yet be fraught with challenges in terms of implementation.
As educational leaders, it is important to be able to understand both the strengths and the limitations of the research based on which "evidence-based practices" are promoted.
Dr. Julie Alonzo Ph.D.: With so much uncertainty about the future, many school districts and institutes of higher education imposed hiring freezes in the spring of 2020 and started the 2020-2021 academic year without the influx of new hires that we would typically see at the start of a new school year. The approval of vaccines with demonstrated efficacy against COVID-19 should, hopefully, prompt a return to a more normal job market in the coming spring. The job market will likely be quite competitive, with new graduates vying for open positions with those who were not offered positions in education last spring.
Given the challenges that schools have faced during the pandemic, I believe we will see an increasing need for culturally-competent, highly-skilled educators who can think critically and allocate limited resources creatively. Schools across the country are likely to struggle with budget shortfalls, as high unemployment rates reduce states' tax bases and as other high-priority needs compete for the limited money available. Thus, finding jobs might be more challenging than in the past.
In terms of the skills that will be needed to be competitive in the job market, the pandemic and resulting move to remote instruction for many in education will increase the demand for educators with expertise in developing literacy and numeracy, particularly in the early grades (K-5). Those with an understanding of how to use student performance data to screen for students at risk, to identify their areas of need, to provide instructional supports to meet those needs, and to monitor the progress being made so that instruction can be adjusted on a regular basis will be in high demand.
In addition, disparities in access to educational technology and the resulting disproportionality in "learning loss" as a result of the move to remote instruction for students from different demographic backgrounds will increase the demand for educators who have experience working with students from low-income families and those experiencing homelessness, as well as demand for educators who have demonstrated their ability to work effectively with students from different ethnicities.
With the continued focus on increasing the diversity of the educator workforce to better match demographics in the United States, Black, Indigenous, Latinx, and Southeast Asian educators will continue to be in high demand.
Miami Dade College
School of Education
Dr. Thomas Uhle: From an educational perspective, many schools are in desperate need of teachers, especially those trained to work with students with exceptionalities and with English-language learners. In Spring 2020, the stress of a seemingly instant system-wide school shutdown was more than many teachers could bear. Some who were on the brink of retirement decided to end their careers earlier than planned rather than to endure the new, somewhat chaotic, entirely remote workplace they were in.
Moving forward, the job market will favor teachers who show that they are flexible, adaptable, and competent to work from several platforms, face-to-face and remote. One thing we have learned during this pandemic is that many services can be provided using technology, so the job market could reflect this as well. For children with disabilities, some supplemental services such as counseling and behavioral therapy could still be offered, uninterrupted, when classroom instruction has gone remote. The job description for teachers and service providers will change to reflect the necessity to be flexible.
Dr. Thomas Uhle: An outstanding resume would show evidence of ongoing professional development and membership in professional organizations. It is important that teachers remain current on topics such as educational technology, exceptional student education, and educational neuroscience. Additionally, having certifications and qualifications in multiple areas is beneficial. In the Exceptional Student Education K-12 Bachelor's Program at Miami Dade College, for example, our graduates exit our program having passed their State Professional Exam, their ESE K-12 State Certification, a Reading endorsement, and a TESOL endorsement. They attend professional development programs and are encouraged to join professional organizations during their program. A resume that shows that level of experience in the field looks quite impressive, even for a recent graduate.

Dr. Thomas Dearden Ph.D.: Indeed, the way we work is changing. The skills that young graduates will need are diverse. Transferable skills and soft skills will certainly be marketable. These include traditional crafts such as communication, but I also think the world expects more empathy from its employees. Young graduates with an understanding of racism, sexism, and environmental responsibility will become increasingly important.

Christine Suniti Bhat: The pandemic has already altered the way in which school counselors are engaging with their students. The importance of learning management systems and dynamic tools to interact with students online will continue to grow. School counselors will have to be prepared to deliver individual services as well as group and class interventions using technologies such as Zoom or Microsoft Teams.
This is something that we would not have anticipated five years ago. School counselors may also have to address issues related to isolation, loneliness, and excessive screen time, along with some of the issues that are related to the misuse of technology such as cyberbullying and sexting. Prevention (before problems arise) and intervention (addressing issues after they arise) are both important. Overall, health and wellness in relation to the use of technology will become more important.