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Job outlook for cabin counselors in the United States
Are cabin counselor jobs in demand?
Cabin counselor job and salary trends over time
Cabin counselor jobs over time
Cabin counselor job growth rate over time
| Year | # of jobs | % of population |
|---|---|---|
| 2021 | 2,429 | 0.00% |
| 2020 | 2,996 | 0.00% |
| 2019 | 3,301 | 0.00% |
| 2018 | 3,253 | 0.00% |
| 2017 | 3,242 | 0.00% |
Average cabin counselor salary over time
Cabin counselor salary by year
| Year | Avg. salary | Hourly rate | % Change |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2025 | $23,776 | $11.43 | +7.9% |
| 2024 | $22,029 | $10.59 | +5.1% |
| 2023 | $20,950 | $10.07 | +2.1% |
| 2022 | $20,516 | $9.86 | +2.8% |
| 2021 | $19,956 | $9.59 | +2.4% |
Cabin counselor jobs by state
Most common states for cabin counselors
| Rank | State | Population | # of jobs | Employment/ 1000ppl |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | District of Columbia | 693,972 | 87 | 13% |
| 2 | Connecticut | 3,588,184 | 220 | 6% |
| 3 | Alaska | 739,795 | 37 | 5% |
| 4 | Wyoming | 579,315 | 28 | 5% |
| 5 | Pennsylvania | 12,805,537 | 576 | 4% |
| 6 | New Jersey | 9,005,644 | 321 | 4% |
| 7 | Arizona | 7,016,270 | 311 | 4% |
| 8 | Washington | 7,405,743 | 294 | 4% |
| 9 | Colorado | 5,607,154 | 234 | 4% |
| 10 | Iowa | 3,145,711 | 125 | 4% |
| 11 | Vermont | 623,657 | 24 | 4% |
| 12 | New York | 19,849,399 | 627 | 3% |
| 13 | Virginia | 8,470,020 | 275 | 3% |
| 14 | Tennessee | 6,715,984 | 182 | 3% |
| 15 | South Carolina | 5,024,369 | 154 | 3% |
| 16 | Oregon | 4,142,776 | 139 | 3% |
| 17 | New Mexico | 2,088,070 | 61 | 3% |
| 18 | Rhode Island | 1,059,639 | 31 | 3% |
| 19 | South Dakota | 869,666 | 26 | 3% |
| 20 | West Virginia | 1,815,857 | 33 | 2% |
Cabin Counselor job outlook: Expert opinions
Our panel of cabin counselor experts
The American Camp Association’s
Vanguard University
Angelo State University
What will help Cabin Counselors increase their earning potential?
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.
Will there be an enduring impact of the coronavirus pandemic on Cabin Counselors?
Tom Rosenberg: We expect to see increased demand for seasonal camp staff and professional camp director opportunities. We expect most college students to want to stay closer to home this summer but seek employment opportunities that are more engaging and impactful. Camp counselors and other staff members gain professional skills and experience enormous social and emotional growth while working at summer camp. They learn to lead, communicate effectively and think on their feet to resolve issues ranging from the health and safety of children to helping 12 campers learn how to take positive risks, learn from mistakes, and have fun. The COVID-19 pandemic has demonstrated, for parents across the nation, that every child, teen, and young adult need in-person, immersive camp programs in supportive environments. Summer learning is a critical part of a person's year-long learning landscape. At camp, children, teens, and adults have endless opportunities to build social and emotional competencies, learn to build healthy relationships, appreciate diverse thinking, be in the moment, and enjoy the opportunity for a measure of independence from their parents under the nurturing supervision of caring adults.
After so many months of sheltering in place at home, with greatly reduced human interaction, adults are excited to get outside and work in a fun and adventurous summer camp setting. Thanks to the ACA Field Guide and all of the important research conducted on summer 2020's camp experiences, camps have learned how to consistently and diligently follow the required nonpharmaceutical controls, such as pre-camp screening and daily at-camp screening, masking, physical distancing, cohorting, testing and more. Campers and Staff learn how to employ the necessary controls diligently to be as safe as possible while having fun, living in nature in fresh air, and making new friends.
It will certainly be unique this year, given the COVID-19 guidelines implemented by the public health authorities and highlighted in the Field Guide. However, future camp professionals will be entering this wor force in a time when kids need camp and quality camp leaders, counselors, etc. - now, more than ever!
Dr. Tommy Casarez Ph.D.
Dr., Assistant Professor of Historical and Systematic TheologyVanguard University
Religion, Undergraduate Religion
What general advice would you give to a Cabin Counselor?
Dr. Tommy Casarez Ph.D.: Opportunities come in many different shapes and sizes, but they are still out there. Whether you are seeking to land a job in education or the non-profit sector, you will need to familiarize yourself and get used to all things digital, for the sake of communicating effectively. The younger your student or service partner's mindset, the more digitally savvy you will need to be, especially in the classroom and in the non-profit world.
Lesley Casarez Ph.D.
Director, Quality Enhancement Plan Program Coordinator, M.S. Professional School Counseling Associate Professor, Curriculum and InstructionAngelo State University
Department of Curriculum and Instruction
What technology do you think will become more important and prevalent for Cabin Counselors in the next 3-5 years?
Lesley Casarez Ph.D.: Graduates will need to learn to use technology in which virtual platforms are taking place and web conferencing platforms. Numerous platforms are being used, so the particular platform itself is not as crucial as being well-versed in how virtual education differs from face-to-face environments. Typically, the instructional role in online learning is more of a facilitator, as the educator guides the students to think critically, integrate, and apply new knowledge. This may be difficult for educators who would rather stand in front of a classroom and pass on their knowledge through lecture-based formats. Additionally, being well-versed in various web conferencing platforms will benefit graduates, as they move into a career that is currently requiring communication in virtual environments.