Post job

What is a student success counselor and how to become one

Updated January 8, 2025
3 min read

A student success counselor provides academic and career advice to students. He/She coaches students on topics like academic exploration and planning, academic success skills and goal setting, and so on. He/She interviews students to identify and establish their educational goals. Additionally, he/she works with them to develop strategies to achieve those goals. Besides that, he/she performs research to find programs and services that fit the needs of the students. Also, he/she answers student inquiries and resolves student issues.

Primarily, you need just a bachelor's degree in a related field to qualify as a student success counselor. However, some employers require a master's degree in counseling, social work, education, or a related field. Applicants must also have two or more years of professional working experience. You must be skilled in active listening, relationship building, time management, collaboration, decision-making, computer, and conflict management. Student success counselors are paid about $41,329 per year, equivalent to $19.87 hourly. Their salary ranges from $28,000 to $59,000.

ScoreStudent Success CounselorUS Average
Salary
3.3

Avg. Salary $42,838

Avg. Salary $59,228

Stability level
9.0

Growth rate 10%

Growth rate 0.3%

Diversity
6.0
Race

American Indian and Alaska Native 0.62%

Asian 3.74%

Black or African American 10.64%

Hispanic or Latino 14.20%

Unknown 3.76%

White 67.03%

Gender

female 67.79%

male 32.21%

Age - 41
Race

American Indian and Alaska Native 3.00%

Asian 7.00%

Black or African American 14.00%

Hispanic or Latino 19.00%

White 57.00%

Gender

female 47.00%

male 53.00%

Age - 41
Stress level
9.0

Stress level is very high

7.1 - high

Complexity level
9.7

Complexity level is advanced

7 - challenging

Work life balance
5.7

Work life balance is fair

6.4 - fair

Student success counselor career paths

Key steps to become a student success counselor

  1. Explore student success counselor education requirements

    Most common student success counselor degrees

    Bachelor's

    64.9 %

    Master's

    18.9 %

    Associate

    10.6 %
  2. Start to develop specific student success counselor skills

    SkillsPercentages
    Social Work14.79%
    Professional Development10.06%
    Financial Aid8.82%
    Phone Calls8.53%
    Student Services7.70%
  3. Complete relevant student success counselor training and internships

    Accountants spend an average of Less than 1 month on post-employment, on-the-job training. New student success counselors learn the skills and techniques required for their job and employer during this time. The chart below shows how long it takes to gain competency as a student success counselor based on U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics data and data from real student success counselor resumes.
  4. Research student success counselor duties and responsibilities

    • Organize civic reflection discussions, manage tutoring schedules, tutor during mathematics workshops, and mentore for student success.
    • Utilize Salesforce to manage advertising programs for business owners.
    • Instruct GED classes on math and English classes.
    • Obtain CPR training and license.
  5. Prepare your student success counselor resume

    When your background is strong enough, you can start writing your student success counselor resume.

    You can use Zippia's AI resume builder to make the resume writing process easier while also making sure that you include key information that hiring managers expect to see on a student success counselor resume. You'll find resume tips and examples of skills, responsibilities, and summaries, all provided by Zippi, your career sidekick.

    Choose from 10+ customizable student success counselor resume templates

    Build a professional student success counselor resume in minutes. Browse through our resume examples to identify the best way to word your resume. Then choose from 10+ resume templates to create your student success counselor resume.
    Student Success Counselor Resume
    Student Success Counselor Resume
    Student Success Counselor Resume
    Student Success Counselor Resume
    Student Success Counselor Resume
    Student Success Counselor Resume
    Student Success Counselor Resume
    Student Success Counselor Resume
    Student Success Counselor Resume
  6. Apply for student success counselor jobs

    Now it's time to start searching for a student success counselor job. Consider the tips below for a successful job search:

    1. Browse job boards for relevant postings
    2. Consult your professional network
    3. Reach out to companies you're interested in working for directly
    4. Watch out for job scams

How did you land your first student success counselor job

Zippi

Are you a student success counselor?

Share your story for a free salary report.

Average student success counselor salary

The average student success counselor salary in the United States is $42,838 per year or $21 per hour. Student success counselor salaries range between $30,000 and $60,000 per year.

Average student success counselor salary
$42,838 Yearly
$20.60 hourly

What am I worth?

salary-calculator

How do student success counselors rate their job?

-/5

5 stars

4 stars

3 stars

2 stars

1 star

Student success counselor reviews

profile
A zippia user wrote a review on Jun 2020
Cons

The current university student population is lacking in personal responsibility and critical thinking/problem solving. Some of them need constant hand-holding.


profile
A zippia user wrote a review on Dec 2019
Pros

Teaching Experience and CAREER COUNSELOR

Cons

Degree is not only required but Experience and Convincing Power is more important & useful than Degrees


profile
A zippia user wrote a review on Apr 2019
Cons

The pay. I feel that I don't get paid nearly enough for the amount of work that I do and my responsibilities. I'm expected to be a counselor, security guard, nurse, baby sitter, IT, etc.


Working as a student success counselor? Share your experience anonymously.
Overall rating*
Career growth
Work/Life balance
Pay/Salary

Updated January 8, 2025

Zippia Research Team
Zippia Team

Editorial Staff

The Zippia Research Team has spent countless hours reviewing resumes, job postings, and government data to determine what goes into getting a job in each phase of life. Professional writers and data scientists comprise the Zippia Research Team.

Browse community and social services jobs