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Job outlook for investment counselors in the United States
Investment counselor job growth summary. After extensive research, interviews, and analysis, Zippia's data science team found that:
The projected investment counselor job growth rate is 15% from 2018-2028.
About 50,900 new jobs for investment counselors are projected over the next decade.
Investment counselor salaries have increased -1% for investment counselors in the last 5 years.
There are over 25,154 investment counselors currently employed in the United States.
There are 33,016 active investment counselor job openings in the US.
The average investment counselor salary is $120,817.
Are investment counselor jobs in demand?
Investment counselor job and salary trends over time
Investment counselor jobs over time
Investment counselor job growth rate over time
| Year | # of jobs | % of population |
|---|---|---|
| 2021 | 25,154 | 0.01% |
| 2020 | 20,852 | 0.01% |
| 2019 | 20,101 | 0.01% |
| 2018 | 19,151 | 0.01% |
| 2017 | 19,214 | 0.01% |
Average investment counselor salary over time
Investment counselor salary by year
| Year | Avg. salary | Hourly rate | % Change |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2025 | $120,817 | $58.09 | +1.7% |
| 2024 | $118,815 | $57.12 | --1.2% |
| 2023 | $120,222 | $57.80 | --1.9% |
| 2022 | $122,589 | $58.94 | +0.1% |
| 2021 | $122,440 | $58.87 | +1.5% |
Investment counselor jobs by state
Most common states for investment counselors
| Rank | State | Population | # of jobs | Employment/ 1000ppl |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | District of Columbia | 693,972 | 105 | 15% |
| 2 | Delaware | 961,939 | 86 | 9% |
| 3 | Wyoming | 579,315 | 50 | 9% |
| 4 | Montana | 1,050,493 | 83 | 8% |
| 5 | New York | 19,849,399 | 1,347 | 7% |
| 6 | Connecticut | 3,588,184 | 266 | 7% |
| 7 | Vermont | 623,657 | 41 | 7% |
| 8 | Pennsylvania | 12,805,537 | 754 | 6% |
| 9 | Maryland | 6,052,177 | 341 | 6% |
| 10 | New Hampshire | 1,342,795 | 79 | 6% |
| 11 | North Dakota | 755,393 | 47 | 6% |
| 12 | Alaska | 739,795 | 46 | 6% |
| 13 | Illinois | 12,802,023 | 690 | 5% |
| 14 | New Jersey | 9,005,644 | 446 | 5% |
| 15 | Washington | 7,405,743 | 389 | 5% |
| 16 | Massachusetts | 6,859,819 | 316 | 5% |
| 17 | Oregon | 4,142,776 | 190 | 5% |
| 18 | Idaho | 1,716,943 | 82 | 5% |
| 19 | Maine | 1,335,907 | 68 | 5% |
| 20 | Rhode Island | 1,059,639 | 49 | 5% |
Most common cities for investment counselors
| Rank | City | # of jobs | Employment/ 1000ppl | Avg. salary |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Beverly Hills | 1 | 3% | $139,168 |
| 2 | Tampa | 4 | 1% | $95,082 |
| 3 | Hartford | 1 | 1% | $115,513 |
| 4 | New York | 3 | 0% | $145,778 |
| 5 | San Francisco | 3 | 0% | $143,861 |
| 6 | Dallas | 2 | 0% | $98,433 |
| 7 | Miami | 1 | 0% | $95,305 |
| 8 | Portland | 1 | 0% | $115,343 |
Investment Counselor job outlook: Expert opinions
Our panel of investment counselor experts
Louisiana State University at Shreveport
Hartwick College
University of Nevada, Las Vegas
Ohio Dominican University
Carolina Christian College
CFA Institute
Montana State University – Bozeman
American University
Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University
Elms College
Vanguard University
Kacie Blalock Ph.D.
Associate Professor; Director, Master of CounselingLouisiana State University at Shreveport
Department Of Psychology
What soft skills should all Investment 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 Investment 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.
Will there be an enduring impact of the coronavirus pandemic on Investment Counselors?
Laurence Malone Ph.D.: Yes, but the pandemic will present distinctive opportunities from its challenges. Think of how in-person networking was compromised during the pandemic. Students often leave cultivating long-term personal relationships with career counselors, classmates, alumni, mentors, and faculty until their senior year. There are opportunities to deepen those relationships, now and in the future, virtually. Ask about connecting with alumni in the Economics department. Attend the first in-person alumni event that that you can, even if you secure a great position after graduation. Use your new understandings and capacities for living and learning online to reach out and deepen those relationships. Organize an online event where faculty, classmates, and alumni discuss trends and future developments in the economy. Why not create an event with the theme, "Will there be an enduring impact of the coronavirus pandemic on economics graduates?"
What experience really stands out on Investment Counselor resumes?
Stephen Miller Ph.D.: All the standard stuff is still important, along with skills related to communicating remotely and online. Work experience where the graduate exercised decision-making authority. That is, the graduate can think outside the box.
What are the biggest trends we'll see in the Investment Counselor job market given the pandemic?
Dr. Douglas Karel Ruml: I believe that there will be continued home-based work, even after the pandemic is over: the need for time management and self-discipline. More analytics, science, technology, engineering, and math based majors will be needed.
Will there be an increase or decrease in demand for Investment Counselors in the next 5 years?
Dr. Douglas Karel Ruml: An increase, as long as the financialization of the global economy continues.
What type of skills will young Investment 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.
What general advice would you give to an Investment Counselor?
Margaret Franklin: To compete in the career race, new entrants need to sharpen not only their technical skills, but develop soft skills as well. A job in the investment management industry is much more than numbers. As an industry, we're becoming much better at capitalizing on diverse perspectives and skillsets to think about risk, return, and ultimately, what we're doing for clients more effectively.
Young professionals must also remain curious along their career path with a commitment to lifelong learning. In finance today, this is an absolute requirement. Our industry continues to evolve at a rapid pace, and none of us can afford to stand still. However, the basic tenants of hard work, professional learning, passion for what you do, and lateral skills are unchanged.
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 Investment 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 Investment 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 Investment 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.
What general advice would you give to an Investment 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.
Dr. Tommy Casarez Ph.D.
Dr., Assistant Professor of Historical and Systematic TheologyVanguard University
Religion, Undergraduate Religion
What general advice would you give to an Investment 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.