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Job outlook for enrollment counselors in the United States
Enrollment counselor job growth summary. After extensive research, interviews, and analysis, Zippia's data science team found that:
The projected enrollment counselor job growth rate is 10% from 2018-2028.
About 32,400 new jobs for enrollment counselors are projected over the next decade.
Enrollment counselor salaries have increased 7% for enrollment counselors in the last 5 years.
There are over 7,248 enrollment counselors currently employed in the United States.
There are 77,998 active enrollment counselor job openings in the US.
The average enrollment counselor salary is $41,151.
Are enrollment counselor jobs in demand?
Enrollment counselor job and salary trends over time
Enrollment counselor jobs over time
Enrollment counselor job growth rate over time
| Year | # of jobs | % of population |
|---|---|---|
| 2021 | 7,248 | 0.00% |
| 2020 | 7,147 | 0.00% |
| 2019 | 7,250 | 0.00% |
| 2018 | 6,981 | 0.00% |
| 2017 | 6,636 | 0.00% |
Average enrollment counselor salary over time
Enrollment counselor salary by year
| Year | Avg. salary | Hourly rate | % Change |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2026 | $41,151 | $19.78 | +1.9% |
| 2025 | $40,386 | $19.42 | +1.3% |
| 2024 | $39,869 | $19.17 | +1.6% |
| 2023 | $39,232 | $18.86 | +1.6% |
| 2022 | $38,630 | $18.57 | +1.7% |
Enrollment counselor jobs by state
Most common states for enrollment counselors
| Rank | State | Population | # of jobs | Employment/ 1000ppl |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Massachusetts | 6,859,819 | 2,369 | 35% |
| 2 | District of Columbia | 693,972 | 165 | 24% |
| 3 | Maryland | 6,052,177 | 821 | 14% |
| 4 | Maine | 1,335,907 | 191 | 14% |
| 5 | Montana | 1,050,493 | 150 | 14% |
| 6 | Alaska | 739,795 | 103 | 14% |
| 7 | Washington | 7,405,743 | 946 | 13% |
| 8 | Connecticut | 3,588,184 | 454 | 13% |
| 9 | Minnesota | 5,576,606 | 672 | 12% |
| 10 | Colorado | 5,607,154 | 664 | 12% |
| 11 | New Hampshire | 1,342,795 | 155 | 12% |
| 12 | Delaware | 961,939 | 117 | 12% |
| 13 | Illinois | 12,802,023 | 1,419 | 11% |
| 14 | Pennsylvania | 12,805,537 | 1,354 | 11% |
| 15 | Arizona | 7,016,270 | 764 | 11% |
| 16 | Iowa | 3,145,711 | 353 | 11% |
| 17 | Nebraska | 1,920,076 | 216 | 11% |
| 18 | Rhode Island | 1,059,639 | 114 | 11% |
| 19 | North Dakota | 755,393 | 81 | 11% |
| 20 | New Jersey | 9,005,644 | 924 | 10% |
Most common cities for enrollment counselors
| Rank | City | # of jobs | Employment/ 1000ppl | Avg. salary |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Athens | 2 | 8% | $37,698 |
| 2 | Florence | 2 | 5% | $37,699 |
| 3 | Bentonville | 2 | 4% | $35,656 |
| 4 | Biloxi | 2 | 4% | $37,371 |
| 5 | Bowling Green | 2 | 3% | $32,168 |
| 6 | Dothan | 2 | 3% | $37,810 |
| 7 | Akron | 2 | 1% | $37,578 |
| 8 | Arlington | 2 | 1% | $41,399 |
| 9 | Baton Rouge | 2 | 1% | $35,289 |
| 10 | Cincinnati | 2 | 1% | $37,017 |
| 11 | Cleveland | 2 | 1% | $37,655 |
| 12 | Columbus | 2 | 1% | $35,407 |
| 13 | Fort Lauderdale | 2 | 1% | $38,967 |
| 14 | New York | 3 | 0% | $42,089 |
| 15 | Atlanta | 2 | 0% | $35,367 |
| 16 | Columbus | 2 | 0% | $37,222 |
| 17 | Dallas | 2 | 0% | $41,373 |
| 18 | Fort Worth | 2 | 0% | $41,405 |
Enrollment Counselor job outlook: Expert opinions
Our panel of enrollment counselor experts
Louisiana State University at Shreveport
Carolina Christian College
Montana State University – Bozeman
American University
Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University
Lubbock Christian University
Ohio University
Elms College
Rider University
Angelo State University
What will help Enrollment 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.
Kacie Blalock Ph.D.
Associate Professor; Director, Master of CounselingLouisiana State University at Shreveport
Department Of Psychology
What soft skills should all Enrollment Counselors possess?
Kacie Blalock Ph.D.: Soft skills that are essential for counselors include emotional intelligence, empathy, multicultural competency, interpersonal abilities, and authenticity.
What hard/technical skills are most important for Enrollment Counselors?
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.
What type of skills will young Enrollment Counselors need?
Dr. Andrew Wood: For Biblical Studies, it is vital that graduates have a genuine relationship with Jesus, that they are people of humility and integrity, desire to be lifelong learners, and have open minds to new things they learn that may challenge their original assumptions. They need to have a strong work ethic, organizational, and time management skills to work on their own productively and with integrity.
Dr. Mark Nelson
Professor and Program LeaderMontana State University – Bozeman
Department of Health and Human Development; Graduate Program – School Counseling
Are there any particularly good places in the United States for Enrollment Counselors to find work opportunities?
Dr. Mark Nelson: Rocky Mountain and western states seem to have many opportunities. This may be due to the westward migration in the U.S. population.
Will there be an increase or decrease in demand for Enrollment Counselors in the next 5 years?
Dr. Michelle Newton-Francis Ph.D.: The upheaval of the pandemic sees graduates entering the worst job market in more than a decade. Still, some forecasters say it is slowly getting better. I encourage graduates to remain flexible in their thinking and search strategies. For example, many companies will expand their remote positions, opening opportunities for jobs they may not have previously considered due to geographic location. Pandemic or not, graduates may not obtain their "dream job" right away and should also consider opportunities that build transferable skills. Pandemic or not, job searching should always be treated like a full-time job. It is just more challenging and competitive right now. Networking is vital and remains one of the most viable ways to get a job. To create networks, students should take advantage of virtual or socially distanced internships, which build contacts and skills. Students and alumni often overlook their college career centers, which offer invaluable services (and connections), including virtual career fairs and meetings with potential employers.
What type of skills will young Enrollment Counselors need?
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.
Chris Hennington Ph.D.
School Counseling Program CoordinatorLubbock Christian University
Department of Graduate Psychology and Counseling
What type of skills will young Enrollment Counselors need?
Chris Hennington Ph.D.: School counselors will be tasked with the usual school counseling responsibilities while also encountering trauma that students experience outside of school and in school. Being well versed in trauma response is going to be a vital aspect of being a school counselor. Kids are experiencing more trauma, but we are getting better at recognizing and treating trauma as well.
How do you envision technology impacting Enrollment Counselors in the next 5 years?
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.
What general advice would you give to an Enrollment Counselor?
Dr. Meredith Bertrand: History is ever-changing, and teachers must clarify how current events are just as much a part of the study of history as any other socio-political period or event. If you are not comparing the civil rights movement of today to the ongoing civil rights movements of the past, and if you are not supporting the campaign against oppression and institutional racism upon which our nation was built, then you are doing continuous harm to those who need you to act and disrupt the cycle. History teachers better be ready to be activists, not just teachers, or else you are perpetuating the status quo.
Aubrey Daniels Ph.D.
Acting Assistant ProfessorRider University
Department of Graduate Education, Leadership, and Counseling
Will there be an enduring impact of the coronavirus pandemic on Enrollment Counselors?
Aubrey Daniels Ph.D.: There will be an enduring impact of the coronavirus pandemic on graduates. Luckily, most of the effects for those in mental health and social services professions will still be able to be employed as the pandemic occurring is currently having a massive impact on the mental health of people around the world, and it will have a lasting effect on individuals and families for years to come. As I was saying before, the use of video technology in these professions has allowed us to continue working and serving those who have been deeply impacted by this pandemic. So, the job market is still looking hopeful for these professions.
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 Enrollment 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.