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Job outlook for community health counselors in the United States
Community health counselor job growth summary. After extensive research, interviews, and analysis, Zippia's data science team found that:
The projected community health counselor job growth rate is 9% from 2018-2028.
About 64,000 new jobs for community health counselors are projected over the next decade.
Community health counselor salaries have increased 10% for community health counselors in the last 5 years.
There are over 110,271 community health counselors currently employed in the United States.
There are 131,804 active community health counselor job openings in the US.
The average community health counselor salary is $43,304.
Are community health counselor jobs in demand?
Community health counselor job and salary trends over time
Community health counselor jobs over time
Community health counselor job growth rate over time
| Year | # of jobs | % of population |
|---|---|---|
| 2021 | 110,271 | 0.03% |
| 2020 | 107,610 | 0.03% |
| 2019 | 105,789 | 0.03% |
| 2018 | 103,015 | 0.03% |
| 2017 | 98,662 | 0.03% |
Average community health counselor salary over time
Community health counselor salary by year
| Year | Avg. salary | Hourly rate | % Change |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2026 | $43,304 | $20.82 | +3.1% |
| 2025 | $41,991 | $20.19 | +2.4% |
| 2024 | $40,989 | $19.71 | +2.5% |
| 2023 | $39,986 | $19.22 | +2.0% |
| 2022 | $39,220 | $18.86 | +2.3% |
Community health counselor jobs by state
Most common states for community health counselors
| Rank | State | Population | # of jobs | Employment/ 1000ppl |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | District of Columbia | 693,972 | 317 | 46% |
| 2 | Massachusetts | 6,859,819 | 2,422 | 35% |
| 3 | Minnesota | 5,576,606 | 1,414 | 25% |
| 4 | Alaska | 739,795 | 179 | 24% |
| 5 | Washington | 7,405,743 | 1,650 | 22% |
| 6 | Indiana | 6,666,818 | 1,437 | 22% |
| 7 | Delaware | 961,939 | 209 | 22% |
| 8 | Maryland | 6,052,177 | 1,288 | 21% |
| 9 | Iowa | 3,145,711 | 667 | 21% |
| 10 | North Dakota | 755,393 | 160 | 21% |
| 11 | Idaho | 1,716,943 | 344 | 20% |
| 12 | Maine | 1,335,907 | 271 | 20% |
| 13 | Arizona | 7,016,270 | 1,332 | 19% |
| 14 | Nebraska | 1,920,076 | 371 | 19% |
| 15 | New Hampshire | 1,342,795 | 258 | 19% |
| 16 | Wyoming | 579,315 | 108 | 19% |
| 17 | Michigan | 9,962,311 | 1,809 | 18% |
| 18 | Colorado | 5,607,154 | 1,002 | 18% |
| 19 | Rhode Island | 1,059,639 | 187 | 18% |
| 20 | Arkansas | 3,004,279 | 511 | 17% |
Most common cities for community health counselors
| Rank | City | # of jobs | Employment/ 1000ppl | Avg. salary |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Burlington | 2 | 8% | $48,850 |
| 2 | Norwood | 2 | 7% | $49,290 |
| 3 | Bangor | 1 | 3% | $44,881 |
| 4 | Anderson | 1 | 2% | $42,265 |
| 5 | DeKalb | 1 | 2% | $40,312 |
| 6 | Arlington Heights | 1 | 1% | $40,663 |
| 7 | Arvada | 1 | 1% | $48,904 |
| 8 | Bossier City | 1 | 1% | $35,062 |
| 9 | Davenport | 1 | 1% | $38,867 |
| 10 | Atlanta | 1 | 0% | $36,801 |
| 11 | Aurora | 1 | 0% | $48,803 |
| 12 | Bakersfield | 1 | 0% | $59,208 |
| 13 | Boston | 1 | 0% | $49,057 |
| 14 | Colorado Springs | 1 | 0% | $48,815 |
Community Health Counselor job outlook: Expert opinions
Our panel of community health counselor experts
Ohio University
Western Illinois University
Ramapo College of New Jersey
Colorado State University - Pueblo
Northeastern Illinois University
Florida Institute of Technology
University of Indianapolis
Campbellsville University
Loyola University New Orleans
Virginia Wesleyan University
SUNY College at Oswego
Pennsylvania State University
Siena College
Nazareth College of Rochester
San Francisco State University
Lindsey Nichols
Associate ProfessorWhat general advice would you give to a Community Health Counselor?
Lindsey Nichols: Your career path is a journey not typically a single destination. You will be exposed to professions, organizations, people etc. all the time and that networking and those relationships are so important. Unfortunately, social media, movies, etc. give a false impression to viewers about what counselors (of many specialty areas like school counseling, mental health, addictions, etc.) actually do. If you know licensed/certified counselors follow-up with them, ask them questions about their day-to-day activities, and volunteer or work so you can get more exposure to the helping professions, I think about the Boys-and-Girls Club, substituting in your local school district, organizations that provide helping services to people at all ages.
What Community Health Counselor skills would you recommend for someone trying to advance their career?
Lindsey Nichols: Trauma skills will continue to be a major focus as our society continues to drastically change. Technology and being fluent working with someone using some type of technology will be increasingly important. Although they are foundational skills of counselors, flexibility, empathy, openness along with your ability to be reflective of yourself and others (aka a good listener) are important in the field. Of course there is much to counseling, and the learning process never ends!
What will help Community Health Counselors increase their earning potential?
Lindsey Nichols: Usually people interested in counseling are not thinking about money, but with rising costs, home prices, daycare etc. making sure you are diligent about knowing counseling rates it the area you want to live and work is the first thing. The U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics is a great tool to give you a foundation and making connections with fellow counselors in your area. Starting your career, if you are preparing to be a Licensed Professional Counselor (LPC) in your state (specialties like school counseling don't require additional training upon graduation, but you have to confirm you have met requirements from the state Department of Education.) you will have to do additional training and supervision. Once you become an LPC, opportunities open up like choices to go into private practice etc., it is a long process, but for most, it goes by quickly!
What general advice would you give to a Community Health Counselor?
Emily McCave PhD, MSW, LCSW: Most people find social work to be incredibly rewarding, knowing that you are a facilitator of positive change, whether be within an individual, organization, or at a larger community or societal level. For many, being able to help people reach their full capacity is fulfilling. The amount of documentation we must complete in clinical settings is often what is liked the least.
What Community Health Counselor skills would you recommend for someone trying to advance their career?
Emily McCave PhD, MSW, LCSW: The need for social workers is high, particularly after the pandemic. A shortage of social workers means that there's an increasing demand in the field. According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics social work jobs are expected to increase 13% between 2020 and 2030.
What will help Community Health Counselors increase their earning potential?
Emily McCave PhD, MSW, LCSW: For clinical positions, which is what most social workers do, daily tasks typically include conducting assessments and providing individual, family, and/or group therapy to children and/or adults, while collaborating with other providers working with the client. There is also daily clinical documentation that needs to be completed.
What general advice would you give to a Community Health Counselor?
L. Justin Wheeler: There are often salary discrepancies between settings – for example, hospital and government settings tend to have higher salaries than private nonprofit, community behavioral health, or education settings. Even so, within the same agency there can be higher earning potential in different programs, depending on many factors including demand and program funding source and type. Knowing your local market and opportunities is important, as is locating salary data for social workers and related fields. Pursuing skill development through training, supervised practice, and consultation in areas of interest can improve marketability.
What general advice would you give to a Community Health Counselor?
Dr. Vanessa Alleyne: It will be important to network and utilize professional organizations of which you are a member, such as the ACA (American Counseling Association), or the ASGW (Association for Specialists in Group Work), for example. Meet people, attend training for advanced skills in key areas, and present there when possible. Whether locally or nationally, these are valuable connections to make when starting out, and will also enhance your knowledge base as you begin and grow. Another valuable connection to be made can be found through your alma mater. Find professional affinity groups from your undergraduate program, and certainly maintain or build ties with your graduate program alumni. Finally, many people turn to social media such as Linkedin, which is fine, but can also be a bit overwhelming. Be deliberate in your choices about who to connect with, and don't get fomo! It's ok not to connect with everyone that pops up in your feed. Stay with one social media site at a time until you feel it's working the way you'd like, and then go on to another.
What Community Health Counselor skills would you recommend for someone trying to advance their career?
Dr. Vanessa Alleyne: Two of the most heavily sought out areas of expertise in the field today are trauma and substance use disorders. If you have taken courses in these areas as a grad student, bravo for you! The aftermath of the pandemic has left us in tremendous need of caring, coping strategies for trauma, as well as more evidence based, compassionate care for substance use disorders. The old tough love strategies aren't really effective in today's complex world. Sometimes students will say that they don't want to work with substance abuse, but it's shortsighted to think that you won't, even in a private practice. Many, if not most people seeking help are impacted by substances, either via someone they know or someone in the family. The emergence of legalized sports betting has also begun a new level of problematic gambling that will require a good skill set. Group work for these and other disorders will increase, so the ability to work well in groups will be in high demand. Additionally, we are at the early stages of successful use of psychedelic medicines for a range of mental health disorders. Learning about these possibilities will be important in terms of making appropriate referrals to psychedelic providers. Finally, I will mention a typically unmentionable or perhaps forgotten area that we need better skills in now more than ever. End of life counseling needs are rising as our elderly population in the US soars. We need to be able to support clients and their families through the processes and anxieties that come with these highly difficult experiences. I am beginning a summer course at MSU now in End of Life Counseling as an elective, and the class is FULL. Many of us want and need to explore this final stage of the lifespan, both professionally and personally, in order to be of maximal assistance to others.
What will help Community Health Counselors increase their earning potential?
Dr. Vanessa Alleyne: Don't be afraid to negotiate! Nonprofits often pay less than corporate sites, but there is almost always wiggle room. Salary is important, but so is paid time off, family leave, mental health days, and professional time for conferences. Try to obtain certifications in areas that are valued, such as clinical supervision or co-occurring disorders.
Dr. Tiffany Bainter PhD LCPC NCC
Associate ProfessorWestern Illinois University
Clinical, Counseling And Applied Psychology
What general advice would you give to a Community Health Counselor?
Dr. Tiffany Bainter PhD LCPC NCC: Starting a career in counseling is a fulfilling journey but comes with its own set of challenges. My advice to graduates stepping into this field would be to prioritize self-care. It's crucial to maintain a healthy balance between your professional and personal life, especially when dealing with emotionally taxing situations. Seek supervision and mentorship regularly; having guidance from experienced professionals can provide invaluable insights and support as you navigate your counseling career. Additionally, stay open to continuous learning. The field of counseling is dynamic, with new research and techniques emerging constantly. Pursue opportunities for further education, attend workshops, and stay updated with the latest developments in the field. Cultivate empathy and cultural competence to better understand and connect with clients from diverse backgrounds. Building strong therapeutic relationships based on trust and empathy is at the core of effective counseling practice. Lastly, remember to advocate for mental health awareness and the importance of access to quality mental health services. Being a counselor goes beyond individual sessions; it involves being an advocate for your clients' well-being within the larger societal context.
What Community Health Counselor skills would you recommend for someone trying to advance their career?
Dr. Tiffany Bainter PhD LCPC NCC: Education and Credentials: Obtain relevant certifications and advanced degrees in counseling or related fields. Specializations or additional training in areas such as trauma therapy, substance abuse counseling, or marriage and family therapy can increase your market value. Gain Experience: Seek opportunities to gain practical experience through internships, volunteer work, or entry-level positions. Building a strong track record of successful counseling outcomes and client satisfaction can lead to higher-paying roles. Specialize: Consider specializing in a niche area within counseling, such as working with specific populations (e.g., children, veterans, LGBTQ+ individuals) or focusing on particular issues (e.g., trauma, addiction, grief counseling). Specialization often commands higher salaries due to the specialized expertise required. Stay Current: Stay updated with industry trends, research, and best practices in counseling. Attend conferences, workshops, and continuing education programs to enhance your knowledge and skills, making you more valuable to employers. Negotiate Skillfully: When negotiating salary with potential employers, research industry standards and average salaries for your role and location. Highlight your qualifications, experience, and unique skills during negotiations. Be confident, but also realistic and flexible in your salary expectations. Explore Different Settings: Consider working in different settings such as private practice, community mental health centers, schools, hospitals, or corporate counseling programs. Each setting may offer different salary structures and opportunities for advancement. Build a Reputation: Develop a strong professional reputation by delivering quality counseling services, building positive relationships with clients and colleagues, and receiving positive feedback and referrals. A good reputation can lead to increased demand for your services and potentially higher fees. Network and Market Yourself: Network with other professionals in the counseling field, join professional organizations, and promote your services effectively. Building a strong professional network and marketing yourself can lead to new opportunities, higher-paying clients, and consulting or speaking engagements. Consider Additional Income Streams: Explore opportunities for additional income streams such as offering workshops, writing articles or books, providing supervision or consulting services, or teaching courses related to counseling.
What will help Community Health Counselors increase their earning potential?
Dr. Tiffany Bainter PhD LCPC NCC: In the evolving field of counseling, several skills are likely to become even more important e in the coming years. Firstly, digital literacy and proficiency in utilizing technology for counseling services will become increasingly important. As more counseling sessions move online or incorporate digital tools, counselors will need to adapt and leverage these technologies effectively while maintaining client confidentiality and ethical standards. Secondly, a deep understanding of trauma-informed care and techniques will be crucial. With growing awareness about trauma's impact on mental health, counselors must be equipped to provide trauma-informed interventions and create safe therapeutic spaces for clients who have experienced trauma. Cultural competence and diversity awareness will continue to be essential skills for counselors. As our societies become more diverse, counselors must be able to work effectively with clients from various cultural backgrounds, respecting their beliefs, values, and identities. Additionally, skills related to teletherapy and remote counseling will likely become more prevalent. Counselors will need to excel in building therapeutic rapport and conducting effective counseling sessions through virtual platforms, ensuring continuity of care for clients regardless of geographical constraints. Lastly, skills in advocacy and collaboration within interdisciplinary teams will be increasingly valuable. Counselors may need to advocate for policy changes, mental health resources, and equitable access to services. Collaborating with other healthcare professionals, social workers, and community organizations will enhance holistic care for clients.
What general advice would you give to a Community Health Counselor?
Dr. Timmesha Butler-Davis PhD, LCSW: Social work encompasses a vast array of roles, making it challenging to pinpoint a specific day-to-day function. Social workers operate in a generalist capacity, providing direct services like therapy, case management, or client advocacy. Alternatively, they may engage in macro-level activities such as policy advocacy, organizational leadership, or education. A typical day might involve individual client sessions, documenting clinical notes, planning therapeutic interventions, or advocating on Capitol Hill. At its essence, social work strives to challenge social injustices and foster a more equitable society.
What general advice would you give to a Community Health Counselor?
Pamela Richmond Ph.D.: Challenges social workers can face are high caseloads, not enough resources to assist clients and exposure to horrific aspects of humanity. Social workers enjoy being a part of the change process by recognizing the strengths and resiliency of individuals, families, groups, organizations and communities. Workers advocate for individuals that are marginalized and oppressed, ensuring they have a voice. They enjoy looking at solutions to problems and empowering others to make changes beneficial for their lives.
What general advice would you give to a Community Health Counselor?
Dr. Pamela Fullerton: All the skills we need to do well in this field are important since we are dealing with people's lives and livelihoods. I believe anyone entering this field needs to recognize the significance and seriousness of our work. In the next 3-5 years, the ever-changing landscape of the population will require us to be continuously working on the competencies and ethical codes mandated through our identities as professional counselors. There is a wonderful counseling model by Ratts and Pederson (2014) called the Counselor-Advocate-Scholar model. I teach this to all my students and during my professional development workshops. This model highlights the three main areas in which we need to be constantly working on and growing in: (1) counseling work, skills, and competencies; (2) advocacy work, skills, and competencies; and (3) research to learn about best practices, recent scholarly innovations to the field, and adding more research to our field. This model can be used in the future as it adapts to whatever changes in the field and population may be occurring/prevalent in the future.
What Community Health Counselor skills would you recommend for someone trying to advance their career?
Dr. Pamela Fullerton: Find a site with great supervision and a diverse range of clients. New clinicians really need to lean into competent and compassionate supervisory experiences that will help them not only increase their counseling competencies but also support in their growth around professional counseling identity, personal development, and multicultural and social justice advocacy. Additionally, working with a diverse range of clients at the beginning of a career will also support in increasing competencies in all the various areas of our field from skills and interventions to diagnosing and treatment planning.
What will help Community Health Counselors increase their earning potential?
Dr. Pamela Fullerton: I think having diverse experiences in the field will be helpful when trying to make yourself stand out from the crowd of other clinicians. I also think adding specialty training and certifications to your resume may help in maximizing salary potential.
What general advice would you give to a Community Health Counselor?
Mariana Juras Ph.D.: Be attuned to your values, passion, skills, and abilities, and also to what market values.
What Community Health Counselor skills would you recommend for someone trying to advance their career?
Mariana Juras Ph.D.: I believe multiple language and cultural knowledges and experiences are great assets to have, and also to integrate human specific and technology integration with the mental health field, by also considering ethics, culture, and humane relevancy. Neuropsychology is also a developing field and integration with mental health treatment is increasing.
What will help Community Health Counselors increase their earning potential?
Mariana Juras Ph.D.: In the mental health field I believe it is the interaction between humans and technology, particular to the advance of AI. Also to embrace diversity and cultural difference and how to collaboratively work with them.
What Community Health Counselor skills would you recommend for someone trying to advance their career?
Lynell Cooper MSW, LCSW: Being empathetic will enhance your ability to connect with clients, while resilience will help you manage emotional stress effectively. Fostering a lens of cultural humility will serve as a conduit to success and effectiveness.
Dr. Kimberly Mudd-Fegett DSW, MSSW
Associate Professor of Social WorkCampbellsville University
Social Work
What general advice would you give to a Community Health Counselor?
Dr. Kimberly Mudd-Fegett DSW, MSSW: Social Work is a very large field; therefore, the practice of Social Work varies greatly depending on which field you enter. Overall, nearly all areas of Social Work include working with individuals who are facing some form of crisis or life challenge. Social Workers work to assist in providing education, assistance and most importantly empowerment. Social Workers are trained professionals who work from a set of ethics that govern their professional standards to respect, empathize and value all individuals. Most all Social Workers enter the professional because they feel called to assist and make a difference in the life of others.
What Community Health Counselor skills would you recommend for someone trying to advance their career?
Dr. Kimberly Mudd-Fegett DSW, MSSW: The best thing about being a Social Worker is the ability to serve, assist and empower other individuals who are facing challenges within their life. Although this can be very overwhelming, at times the rewards this can provide, and self-fulfillment is hard to put into words. One of the greatest challenges of Social Work is maintaining adequate self-care and knowing that you can impact or help all individuals. This can be extremely challenging and overwhelming, particularly for new workers. One must ensure that they have adequate supervision, education, and resources to protect their wellbeing or burnout is highly likely.
What will help Community Health Counselors increase their earning potential?
Dr. Kimberly Mudd-Fegett DSW, MSSW: Social Workers are needed everywhere as there are always people in crisis. Currently, child protection workers are desperately needed. In this field of practice Social Workers work directly with children and families that are impacted by child maltreatment issues to keep families together. There is a misconception that child protective workers strive to remove children, and this is untrue. Their mission is to work tirelessly to keep children in their homes safely and remove risk factors while highlighting their protective factors. Additionally, in this field of Social Work foster parents are trained, certified, and mentored to ensure that foster children receive adequate care when biological or relative care is not possible.
Kevin Foose
Professor of PracticeLoyola University New Orleans
Rehabilitation And Therapeutic Professions
What general advice would you give to a Community Health Counselor?
Kevin Foose: Secondly, I believe that the capacity to be flexible, creative and adaptive are essential skills to cultivate in the current cultural environment. Towards this end, I integrate a bit of Chaos Theory into much of my teaching and mentoring and general world view.
What Community Health Counselor skills would you recommend for someone trying to advance their career?
Kevin Foose: As our graduates enter the field of counseling and psychotherapy, the guidance that I provide is generally threefold. First I suggest that they develop a niche practice which they are passionate about. I encourage them to specialize rather than 'generalize' their practice. Towards that end I advise that they find a clinical supervisor and mentor with whom they share a theoretical and philosophical foundation. I encourage them to surround themselves with talented, experienced and inspiring professionals. And to follow their curiosity and cultivate the capacity to become highly competent clinically and theoretically with a specific population and modality of treatment (such as working with couples & relationships, adolescence, social justice & advocacy, play therapy etc).
What will help Community Health Counselors increase their earning potential?
Kevin Foose: Lastly, I encourage them to focus on developing capacities that can't be replicated by technology. AI and ubiquitous technology is here to stay, and that's okay. The more people interface with these technologies, the more essential the capacity to engage with actual humans will become. I guide them towards being relationally focused, culturally competent and emotionally regulated as opposed to emotionally reactive. We can't out-machine a machine. See John Henry for relevant reference. And I always leave them with a bit of wisdom from George Carlin, 'eat right, breathe deep'. And to that I add, get plenty of sleep and try and have a bit of fun along the way.
Dr. Jennifer Slivka
Associate Professor of EnglishVirginia Wesleyan University
Ethnic, Cultural Minority, Gender, And Group Studies
What general advice would you give to a Community Health Counselor?
Dr. Jennifer Slivka: Before you graduate, complete at least one internship in the field. These internships can often lead to full-time positions, especially in the non-profit sector. The more experience you have, the more you can negotiate in terms of salary.
What Community Health Counselor skills would you recommend for someone trying to advance their career?
Dr. Jennifer Slivka: Be open-minded, flexible, and patient. Our recent GWSS graduates secure jobs in a number of related fields that might not spring to mind when new graduates think of GWSS careers (e.g., political campaigns/staff, higher education, non-profits, law, publishing, business, and even sexual assault prevention and victim advocacy for the Navy). These are in addition to more traditionally associated GWSS careers, such as domestic abuse and trafficking shelters for women and children, LGBTQ+ outreach services, and counseling centers. As with most first jobs in the field, you need to think of them as learning experiences that can enhance the knowledge and skills you learned in college, while also providing you the necessary professional experience to move forward in the field.
What will help Community Health Counselors increase their earning potential?
Dr. Jennifer Slivka: Because of its interdisciplinary nature, Gender, Women, and Sexuality Studies already offers students diverse perspectives that prepare them for the multi-faceted, complex viewpoints they will encounter in graduate study and in the workplace. In particular, soft skills will become even more important. These skills include communication, critical thinking and problem solving, empathy, collaboration, community-building, leadership, and adaptability. The field is dynamic, so being able to continue to learn and grow after graduation is a necessity.
What general advice would you give to a Community Health Counselor?
Dr. J. Lendrum PhD: If possible, seek out internships during your undergraduate career to build your resume and portfolio. Through internships, cultivate your social skills and social networks because it's through our informal social networks that we find opportunities for jobs, scholarships, and other opportunities.
What will help Community Health Counselors increase their earning potential?
Dr. J. Lendrum PhD: Trust yourself and follow your passions. It is possible to find a meaningful career that aligns with your core interests and values.
What general advice would you give to a Community Health Counselor?
Jodi Mullen PhD LMHC RPT-S: What do people like- counseling is always improv. You never really know what someone is going to share in their sessions. It's also relational, so as a counselor you get to connect with people you might not otherwise or who have never experienced healthy connection. It is an honor and awesome responsibility. Dislike- People who show up to counseling to talk about the good things going on, so there's a lot of exposure to people's pain.
What Community Health Counselor skills would you recommend for someone trying to advance their career?
Jodi Mullen PhD LMHC RPT-S: The bulk of the work a mental health counselor does is clinical, meaning you meet with clients and provide counseling. There is also record keeping, preparation, and administrative responsibilities. New and seasoned counselors alike spend some time in supervision and consultation with other counselors. Supervision is a time to discuss cases with a more experienced professional where there are opportunities for growth professionally and personally. Consultation involves either meeting with others connected to your clients, like parents of children clients, or with professionals in mental health and other fields that can help the counselor sort out a challenge. In that case it may be an attorney or a trauma specialist.
What will help Community Health Counselors increase their earning potential?
Jodi Mullen PhD LMHC RPT-S: There are so many opportunities for mental health counselors entering the field. The need for our services is at an all time high. Recently, there has been a great deal of focus on self-care for professional counselors to ward off compassion fatigue. There is much more being offered for counselor self-care than when I entered the field three decades ago.
What general advice would you give to a Community Health Counselor?
James Andrews LCSW, LICSW, BCD: Although most people have very varied and complex reasons for entering the field of social work, we all have bills to pay. Therefore, the ability to maximize one’s salary potential is critical and involves strategic planning and negotiation. The first couple of jobs one holds can have tremendous influence on subsequent career trajectory. In my view, the most important thing to understand in a job search and the interview process it involves is this: You are interviewing those who are hiring at least as much, if not more, than they are interviewing you. It is critical to understand this point: You are interviewing the agency or company to determine if it is a place you wish to associate with and work. This may seem counterintuitive as the whole point of the job interview is to convince an employer you are the right person for the job. Yet, their interview of you as a candidate is actually secondary to your decision that the agency is a place where you wish to exchange your time and talents for income. Secondly, negotiate confidently. When offered a job, negotiate your salary (and other benefits and perks) and do not hesitate to ask for what you want. You should be prepared with data to support your request and be willing to discuss benefits and other compensation options like bonuses, stock options, or professional development opportunities. Do your homework! Come prepared understanding the typical salary range for the position and location. Websites like Glassdoor and Payscale can provide valuable insights. Knowing your worth and ask for it! A former professor of mine taught me that the only question to which absolutely know the answer to is the question you never ask; that answer is always no. Other actions the new graduate should engage in is to highlight what makes you unique as a person and has a job candidate. Emphasize unique skills, experiences, and achievements that set you apart from other candidates. This could include internships, certifications, or successful projects. Pursuing and obtaining certifications that are highly regarded in social work can make you more attractive to employers and justify a higher salary, such as certification and training in Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing (EMDR). These strategies and tactics are not exhaustive. However, their implementation in one’s job search can position you for a successful and rewarding career, maximizing both your professional growth and earning potential.
What Community Health Counselor skills would you recommend for someone trying to advance their career?
James Andrews LCSW, LICSW, BCD: It is always dangerous to attempt to predict the future; even as little as 3-5 years. However, there are a few skills sets and knowledge areas I would recommend new graduates consciously focus upon for development. First and foremost, I would identify digital literacy and cybersecurity knowledge as critical over the next five years. The recent pandemic had at least one positive outcome: it accelerated and propelled society’s acceptance of virtual platforms and environments across multiple industries. And social work is no exception. Developing proficiency with digital tools and platforms including an understanding of cybersecurity, social media and telehealth technologies will be critical for new social workers. It may surprise some folks to hear this, but such proficiency extends to data analysis and interpretation. I’m not saying social workers need to learn computer programming. However, the rapid emergence of various types of artificial intelligence to assist and enhance people’s ability to analyze and make sense of data will only become increasingly important. Skills and knowledge in data science, machine learning, and artificial intelligence as they apply to clinical services will be highly sought after. Another area I see as becoming increasingly important over the next five years is the cultivation of interdisciplinary knowledge and practice. The combining of expertise from multiple fields can lead to innovative solutions. This involves one’s own knowledge as well as the ability to foster cross-disciplinary relationships and collaborations. For example, knowledge in both technology and business management can give one an edge in pursuing leadership roles that require strategic decision-making.
What will help Community Health Counselors increase their earning potential?
James Andrews LCSW, LICSW, BCD: Completing the MSW and graduating as a professional social worker is exciting and can be overwhelming. There are some general areas of professional development that I would strongly recommend new social workers entering the workforce focus on addressing. The first (and in many ways perhaps the most important) is to actively network. Connect with peers and mentors by building and maintaining professional relationships through joining professional organizations and attending industry events such as conferences and other professional events. Join your state chapter of the National Association of Social Workers (NASW) and become active; don’t just pay your dues every year. Contact the chapter office and volunteer for a committee and run for a volunteer leadership position. Get involved! Next, be adaptable! If the social service field is characterized by any one quality, it is change. Cultivating the ability to grow, adapt to new technologies, methodologies, and work environments will be crucial to one’s career success. Not only does the quality of flexibility makes one a valuable employee and prepares you for unexpected challenges and opportunities, but it is also a central trait needed for those who desire to open their own clinical practices one day. Related to adaptability is the practice of continuous learning. Social work and the larger industry of social services ever evolving, so it is imperative that new graduates embrace the idea that even though they have graduated, they must always be students, ever learning and developing new skills. This involves a commitment to lifelong learning which involves pursuing certifications, workshops attendance, and staying updated with the latest industry trends and technologies through independent reading and research. This not only keeps your skills relevant but also demonstrates your commitment to professional growth. And finally, and too often ignored, is the importance of developing and cultivating what are called “soft skills”. Skills such as communication, teamwork, problem-solving, and time management a(and others) are essential. For the successful social worker. Such soft skills complement one’s technical abilities and are highly valued by employers. And in many ways are what will enable a person to advance in their career.
Elisa Martin Ph.D., MSW
Associate Professor of Social Work, Department Chair & Program DirectorSiena College
Social Sciences
What general advice would you give to a Community Health Counselor?
Elisa Martin Ph.D., MSW: The U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics projects that the need for social workers will grow faster than many other professions, which means finding employment upon graduation will not be a problem.
What will help Community Health Counselors increase their earning potential?
Elisa Martin Ph.D., MSW: The beauty of the social work profession is that the skills you learn from your degree can be applied in a range of settings and populations. Depending on your interest, you could be working with children, youth, adults, older adults, or in an area of interest like domestic violence, homelessness, child welfare, gerontology. The work you do could be one-on-one, with small groups, running programs within an organization, and/or working in communities.
What general advice would you give to a Community Health Counselor?
Erin Cole DSW, LCSW: There is a phrase that sometimes comes out in social work that we are "in it for the outcome, not for the income." This is true but also, we deserve a livable wage. I already see graduates starting at higher salaries so I think this is trending in the right direction. With that said, I think the best way to maximize salary potential is to build your resume with trainings and certifications, beyond the degree, to show that you have something extra to offer compared to another new graduate. There are so many courses available online to get certified in specific interventions.
What Community Health Counselor skills would you recommend for someone trying to advance their career?
Erin Cole DSW, LCSW: When you're looking for jobs, don't look for a forever job. Find something that seems like a good fit right now. The pressure for it to be forever is too much. Do it for as long as it feels right and move on when it doesn't. Also, remember that being a new graduate is an asset! You are more current on trends in social work, literature, and evidence-based practices than many seasoned professionals. You add value to the setting and should not minimize that by falling back on being new in the field.
What will help Community Health Counselors increase their earning potential?
Erin Cole DSW, LCSW: Understanding trauma has become a necessary and foundational skill in social work. This is going to continue being important and we will continue working with more and more people who have trauma histories. Practitioners need evidence-based interventions for trauma that include cultural and identity affirming components. With so little research in this area, I suspect a skill that will become important is the ability to adapt evidence-based interventions to meet the needs of the individual being served while maintaining the initial integrity of the intervention.
What general advice would you give to a Community Health Counselor?
Elif Balin: As we have witnessed since the pandemic, there is a fast transition to virtual mental health counseling practices. Beyond the virtual/video setting, counselors now have the option to collaborate with multiple stakeholders and networks to deliver their services. Some of these systems are more structured and expect counselors to shape their practices according to their delivery modalities (e.g., text messaging, online chat, learn and use a specific evidence-based therapy/counseling framework), while others involve counselors in the creation of new modalities (e.g., psychoeducational programs, phone applications). Thus, counselors should consider developing skills to understand and navigate changing technologies, devices, and program designs. They will need more skills to set and maintain boundaries against dysfunctional multitasking with new demands for availability/accessibility. They will also need to keep their own career planning and job application skills updated in case they need more transitions between jobs, roles, and settings due to the unpredictable nature of changes to their settings.
What Community Health Counselor skills would you recommend for someone trying to advance their career?
Elif Balin: Being informed and realistic about what kind of employers or sectors offer your desired salary levels is important. For example, a counseling position at a public university (which is not a research university or R1) or non-profit organization system will likely remain underpaid (unless there is a prominent political economy shift in the country). If your passion and values are grounded in such a setting, you can still do your research about the salaries (which are usually publicly available) and understand what you want to negotiate for based on your experience. Learn about salary negotiation skills, practice with people who have experience in hiring or at least salary negotiation, and especially reflect on your values around money and what you need the money for, as well as any potential internal or socially imposed biases on talking about money. You can also negotiate for extra benefits such as professional development funds and inquire about the possibility of additional work (e.g., a side job in private practice or paid consultant roles) according to your job contract. If you need a higher salary and open to explore alternative sectors or settings than what you initially considered, then educate yourself about the salary ranges in those settings and ask for tips from more experienced people. In any setting, identify the strengths and unique value you bring to a potential employer and negotiate for a higher salary by clearly articulating those strengths and values you will add.
What will help Community Health Counselors increase their earning potential?
Elif Balin: As prospective counselors, it's essential to recognize that your career journeys begin when you start exploring and applying for training programs. The curriculum, faculty expertise areas, availability of training opportunities (e.g., internship sites), diversity of an active alumni network, and other aspects of these programs will significantly influence your career readiness and transition to jobs. After graduation, I strongly suggest you stay connected to your training programs, mentors, and alumni networks. This will help you access the hidden job market (e.g., potentially upcoming job openings and priorities for hiring criteria) in your areas of interest or work settings and make you feel supported and part of a community. In case you think your training program did not adequately prepare you for the job market, keep searching for mentors, which can be a one-time meeting or email exchange to learn about what helped them find employment or a longer-term connection that provides you with more insight and feedback about your ongoing areas of growth. Remember that your first job is most likely the first stepping stone toward the following opportunities. Even if you feel discontent with some aspects of a first job, it can lead to meaningful connections and happenstances to create future opportunities. Be aware of your most important needs and values that you can’t sacrifice for your physical and mental well-being, and aspire for a job that gets you what you need to continue growing and making connections toward more desirable next steps. When possible, self-advocate and seek additional resources (e.g., family, community, local or regional professional development grants, additional jobs) that may help you get started with some meaningful first experience and sustain your ongoing career planning.
What general advice would you give to a Community Health Counselor?
Donna Sheperis PhD, LPC, NCC, CCMHC, ACS, BC-TMH: The combination of the increased need for mental healthcare following a global pandemic, as well as the increased advocacy for mental health awareness to defeat the stigma that has always surrounded treatment, means that there is a lot of work to be done to provide the services that we need. If you or someone you know has tried to get an appointment with a counselor lately, you have probably encountered some pretty lengthy wait times. It seems that every practice is full and there’s practically no way to get seen quickly. We need more practitioners and more efficient ways to serve some clients who are struggling with some really pressing concerns.
What Community Health Counselor skills would you recommend for someone trying to advance their career?
Donna Sheperis PhD, LPC, NCC, CCMHC, ACS, BC-TMH: There are so many different employment positions that a mental health counselor could take that a day could be incredibly different depending on their area of specialty. A private practitioner could have a full day of hour long individual sessions. A hospital based counselor might spend time running groups or doing crisis stabilization. A home-based counselor might travel from site to site providing family therapy or assessing living situations for child placement. Someone working in a substance use rehabilitation facility might find themselves Providing individual, group, and family therapy all within the span of several hours. In other words, a mental health counselor is going to be very flexible and able to provide a number of different services depending on the type of work that interests them and that they find themselves seeking specialty training and credentialing in.
What will help Community Health Counselors increase their earning potential?
Donna Sheperis PhD, LPC, NCC, CCMHC, ACS, BC-TMH: When I talk to my former students as well as my friends and colleagues in the profession, they all tell me how richly rewarded they are providing a service to people who struggle with aspects of mental health. Being part of someone’s treatment, watching them find their way through trauma that has been burdening them, helping people leave behind a pass that no longer serves them, helping them find a way through genetically predisposed illness, or to overcome thoughts of death or suicide… These are all remarkable journeys to embark on with clients. To have the privilege to be part of healing when people are in crisis and pain and at their most vulnerable is really an awesome honor. Those experiences keep us hopeful and.buoyed throughout our career. When working in such an interpersonally intense profession, carrying that weight can be challenging itself. Some of the more routine tasks of the work that we do can also be burdening. As mental health counselors, we find ourselves making sure that we seek to do our own work in order to be able to do this work for others.