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Job outlook for head counselors in the United States
Are head counselor jobs in demand?
Head counselor job and salary trends over time
Head counselor jobs over time
Head counselor job growth rate over time
| Year | # of jobs | % of population |
|---|---|---|
| 2021 | 3,415 | 0.00% |
| 2020 | 4,212 | 0.00% |
| 2019 | 4,641 | 0.00% |
| 2018 | 4,574 | 0.00% |
| 2017 | 4,558 | 0.00% |
Average head counselor salary over time
Head counselor salary by year
| Year | Avg. salary | Hourly rate | % Change |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2026 | $31,654 | $15.22 | +7.9% |
| 2025 | $29,327 | $14.10 | +5.1% |
| 2024 | $27,892 | $13.41 | +2.1% |
| 2023 | $27,313 | $13.13 | +2.8% |
| 2022 | $26,567 | $12.77 | +2.4% |
Head counselor jobs by state
Most common states for head counselors
| Rank | State | Population | # of jobs | Employment/ 1000ppl |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | District of Columbia | 693,972 | 99 | 14% |
| 2 | Montana | 1,050,493 | 90 | 9% |
| 3 | Connecticut | 3,588,184 | 289 | 8% |
| 4 | Delaware | 961,939 | 79 | 8% |
| 5 | New Hampshire | 1,342,795 | 96 | 7% |
| 6 | New York | 19,849,399 | 1,128 | 6% |
| 7 | Pennsylvania | 12,805,537 | 804 | 6% |
| 8 | Massachusetts | 6,859,819 | 440 | 6% |
| 9 | Washington | 7,405,743 | 434 | 6% |
| 10 | Maryland | 6,052,177 | 338 | 6% |
| 11 | Colorado | 5,607,154 | 329 | 6% |
| 12 | Iowa | 3,145,711 | 175 | 6% |
| 13 | Rhode Island | 1,059,639 | 67 | 6% |
| 14 | Alaska | 739,795 | 43 | 6% |
| 15 | Wyoming | 579,315 | 36 | 6% |
| 16 | New Jersey | 9,005,644 | 453 | 5% |
| 17 | Arizona | 7,016,270 | 349 | 5% |
| 18 | Oregon | 4,142,776 | 210 | 5% |
| 19 | Maine | 1,335,907 | 68 | 5% |
| 20 | Vermont | 623,657 | 31 | 5% |
Most common cities for head counselors
| Rank | City | # of jobs | Employment/ 1000ppl | Avg. salary |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Baltimore | 1 | 0% | $48,386 |
Head Counselor job outlook: Expert opinions
Our panel of head counselor experts
Louisiana State University at Shreveport
The American Camp Association’s
Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University
Vanguard University
Angelo State University
What will help Head 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 Head Counselors possess?
Kacie Blalock Ph.D.: Soft skills that are essential for counselors include emotional intelligence, empathy, multicultural competency, interpersonal abilities, and authenticity.
What technology do you think will become more important and prevalent for Head Counselors in the next 3-5 years?
Tom Rosenberg: In COVID-19, camp parents and camp staff are expected to undergo additional pre-camp screening, as well as frequent testing (where applicable), and daily monitoring and surveillance. Camps have been employing innovative technologies to assist with communicable disease prevention and management, and we see this trend continuing and expanding. In summer 2021, the improvement of PCR, antigen and antibody tests will increase in their efficacy, availability, and pricing; making them a very helpful nonpharmaceutical intervention. The ACA Field Guide for Operating Day and Overnight Camps in COVID-19 has a new chapter on Technology and Controls, as well as a new chapter on Testing. For many of these nonpharmaceutical interventions (or layers of protection), there continues to be new research on relative efficacies, technologies that will influence the development of innovations.
Environmental Health, Industrial Hygiene, medical technology and public health research science helped in the development of the ACA Field Guide for summer camp operations - available to all!
Computer programmers and tech professionals for virtual camps (especially among camps who serve immunity compromised camper populations). Between sessions of camps, we see camps continuing to offer supervised connected online programming for camp friends to enjoy together during the off-season. We expect to see considerable improvements in safety and security components of these platforms, as well as program innovations. Just today, I was on the phone with a VR technologist who is interested in helping camps creating VR experiences to help prospective campers taste camp activity experiences.
We have seen our camps who needed to operate their programs online or in a virtual format really make impressive innovations. Zoom, YouTube, social media and more, were just a few of the ways that camps were able to interact with their camper communities in unique ways. This was especially the case for camps in states and localities where their in-person camp programs were not permitted to operate due to public health official ruling OR for camps who served immune compromised camper populations. While most camps will likely shift back to in-person programs (albeit covid-19 adapted) in summer 2021, we see camps continuing to employ various online connectivity platforms to engage campers, families, and staff members in additive, year-round community building and learning through the use of these technologies for years to come.
What type of skills will young Head 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.
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 Head 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 Head 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.