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Job outlook for student support counselors in the United States
Student support counselor job growth summary. After extensive research, interviews, and analysis, Zippia's data science team found that:
The projected student support counselor job growth rate is 10% from 2018-2028.
About 32,400 new jobs for student support counselors are projected over the next decade.
Student support counselor salaries have increased 7% for student support counselors in the last 5 years.
There are over 94,329 student support counselors currently employed in the United States.
There are 134,839 active student support counselor job openings in the US.
The average student support counselor salary is $41,329.
Are student support counselor jobs in demand?
Student support counselor job and salary trends over time
Student support counselor jobs over time
Student support counselor job growth rate over time
| Year | # of jobs | % of population |
|---|---|---|
| 2021 | 94,329 | 0.03% |
| 2020 | 91,515 | 0.03% |
| 2019 | 89,772 | 0.03% |
| 2018 | 87,799 | 0.03% |
| 2017 | 84,571 | 0.03% |
Average student support counselor salary over time
Student support counselor salary by year
| Year | Avg. salary | Hourly rate | % Change |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2025 | $41,329 | $19.87 | +1.9% |
| 2024 | $40,561 | $19.50 | +1.3% |
| 2023 | $40,042 | $19.25 | +1.6% |
| 2022 | $39,402 | $18.94 | +1.6% |
| 2021 | $38,797 | $18.65 | +1.7% |
Student support counselor jobs by state
Most common states for student support counselors
| Rank | State | Population | # of jobs | Employment/ 1000ppl |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | North Dakota | 755,393 | 253 | 33% |
| 2 | Vermont | 623,657 | 206 | 33% |
| 3 | Massachusetts | 6,859,819 | 2,067 | 30% |
| 4 | New Hampshire | 1,342,795 | 380 | 28% |
| 5 | Nebraska | 1,920,076 | 503 | 26% |
| 6 | Washington | 7,405,743 | 1,833 | 25% |
| 7 | South Dakota | 869,666 | 204 | 23% |
| 8 | District of Columbia | 693,972 | 150 | 22% |
| 9 | Arkansas | 3,004,279 | 627 | 21% |
| 10 | Illinois | 12,802,023 | 2,621 | 20% |
| 11 | Missouri | 6,113,532 | 1,127 | 18% |
| 12 | California | 39,536,653 | 6,789 | 17% |
| 13 | South Carolina | 5,024,369 | 865 | 17% |
| 14 | New Mexico | 2,088,070 | 363 | 17% |
| 15 | Alaska | 739,795 | 118 | 16% |
| 16 | Alabama | 4,874,747 | 710 | 15% |
| 17 | Kentucky | 4,454,189 | 680 | 15% |
| 18 | Hawaii | 1,427,538 | 216 | 15% |
| 19 | Maine | 1,335,907 | 194 | 15% |
| 20 | Delaware | 961,939 | 140 | 15% |
Most common cities for student support counselors
| Rank | City | # of jobs | Employment/ 1000ppl | Avg. salary |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Battle Creek | 1 | 2% | $36,359 |
| 2 | West Des Moines | 1 | 2% | $36,707 |
| 3 | Torrance | 1 | 1% | $48,560 |
| 4 | Baltimore | 2 | 0% | $43,106 |
| 5 | Atlanta | 1 | 0% | $32,407 |
Student Support Counselor job outlook: Expert opinions
Our panel of student support counselor experts
Sonoma State University
Western Illinois University
Indiana Wesleyan University
SUNY College at Oswego
Jackson State University
University of Nevada - Las Vegas
Adelphi University
Governors State University
Pennsylvania State University - Abington
University of Michigan - Ann Arbor
Saint Xavier University
Western Illinois University
Lewis University
What general advice would you give to a Student Support Counselor?
Dr. Adam Zagelbaum: I believe that trauma-informed care services are going to be quite necessary since there have been a rising number of students impacted by traumatic events. The COVID-19 pandemic itself was a global trauma that contributed to the current situation where schools are seeing an increase in mental health needs. Schools are needing to provide more Section 504 Accommodation Plans where access to the school counselor might be listed as an accommodation and school counselors need to step into that space. Further, although there has always been a need for bilingual school counselors, with increased migrancy to the United States, I also believe learning a second language is becoming more valuable and critical within many schools. English-only school counselors ought to attempt to maximize their knowledge regarding a) counseling migrant students b) working with multicultural families, and c) the particular mental health needs of English language learner students so that they can not only help the student, but also advise school-site teammates accordingly.
What will help Student Support Counselors increase their earning potential?
Dr. Adam Zagelbaum: I recommend that school counselors enter the field with as much open mindedness as possible, meaning that they would consider as many grade levels and school districts possible when choosing a job. This provides the school counselor the possibility of having various options, including the choice to work with a team or to have an independent position. I also believe that it is important to assess how many forms of support the early career counselor will have, whether this be amongst coworkers, the school district administration, or even the PTA because working in isolation can be draining. Support for a school counselor is important as it can be difficult for anyone first starting a counseling-focused position to learn the role, manage their time, and self-support their mental health while supporting student needs. It can be helpful to have access to consultation between district coworkers for not only case support but also for emotional support. It would also be beneficial to inquire about whether districts provide the school counselor ongoing training and professional development, including conference/workshop participation. It is important for entry-career school counselors to have support to grow as much as possible so that they can expand their skills.
What general advice would you give to a Student Support 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.
Dr. Tiffany Bainter PhD LCPC NCC
Associate ProfessorWestern Illinois University
Clinical, Counseling And Applied Psychology
What general advice would you give to a Student Support 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 general advice would you give to a Student Support Counselor?
Judith Justice EdD, PSC, LMHC: Based on the American School Counseling Association (ASCA Model), SCs assist students in academic, social/emotional, and college/career counseling. Daily they support students in individual and group counseling, provide proactive classroom instruction, consult and collaborate with faculty, families, and staff, and work to provide a safe and secure school environment.
What Student Support Counselor skills would you recommend for someone trying to advance their career?
Judith Justice EdD, PSC, LMHC: Mental health across the nation is at an all-time low. School counselors are well-equipped to help with this need, as they see the students in social and academic situations throughout the school year. They get to know the students year after year and assist them in need or refer them to outside counseling within the community. Because of this, most states are in strong need for SC at this time.
What will help Student Support Counselors increase their earning potential?
Judith Justice EdD, PSC, LMHC: I believe that most SC would say that they love to assist youth in their growth and into their futures. Most would likely say they dislike the duties they may be expected to do that take away time with their students. Oftentimes, they are expected to do tasks such as scheduling, recess/lunch/or bus duties (which can be nice as they get to see students, BUT they want to be able to assist students in their major needs).
What Student Support 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 Student Support 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.
Jie Ke
Associate Professor of Human Resource DevelopmentJackson State University
Student Counseling And Personnel Services
What general advice would you give to a Student Support Counselor?
Jie Ke: - Familiarize yourself with school systems and policies: Take the time to familiarize yourself with the specific educational system, policies, and regulations of the school or district you'll be working in. Understanding the administrative processes and procedures will help you navigate the system more effectively. Collaborate with teachers and parents: Establish strong relationships with teachers and parents to foster a collaborative approach in supporting students. Regular communication and collaboration with these stakeholders can enhance your ability to address students' academic, social, and emotional needs. Practice self-reflection: Take time for self-reflection to enhance your self-awareness and improve your counseling skills. Regularly review your interactions, techniques, and personal biases to ensure that you are providing the best possible support to students.
What Student Support Counselor skills would you recommend for someone trying to advance their career?
Jie Ke: - Technology skills: With the increasing integration of technology in educational settings, school counselors will need to be proficient in using technology tools and platforms for counseling, data analysis, and communication. - Data analysis skills: School counselors will need to have strong skills in collecting, analyzing, and interpreting data to inform their counseling interventions and measure their effectiveness.- Collaboration and interdisciplinary teamwork skills: School counselors will increasingly collaborate with other professionals, including teachers, administrators, psychologists, and community organizations. - Crisis intervention skills: The ability to provide immediate, short-term help to individuals who experience an event that produces emotional, mental, physical, and behavioral distress or problems.
What will help Student Support Counselors increase their earning potential?
Jie Ke: - Collaborate with professionals in the field and build up a network in the specific areas that you are interested in. Seek professional development opportunities: Engage in professional development activities such as attending conferences, workshops, or webinars specific to school counseling. These opportunities will help you stay current with the latest research, enhance your skills, and connect with other professionals in the field. Stay informed about educational trends: Stay up to date with current trends and research in education and counseling. This includes being aware of new intervention strategies, evidence-based practices, and developments in the field of school counseling. Continuous learning will help you provide the most effective support to students.
Dr. Leonard Harsy
Assistant ProfessorWhat general advice would you give to a Student Support Counselor?
Dr. Leonard Harsy: Here are some skills and knowledge that would be useful:
Excellent counseling skills
Knowledge of post-secondary admissions and financial aid information
Knowledge of working with undocumented students.
How to coach first-generation college bound students who now make up more that half of the 4-year college population
Second language skill
Data collection and interpretation skills
Wendy Hoskins Ph.D.
Associate Professor and Associate Department ChairUniversity of Nevada - Las Vegas
Student Counseling And Personnel Services
What general advice would you give to a Student Support Counselor?
Wendy Hoskins Ph.D.: Counselors working in schools need to utilize all their skills and advocate to provide counseling services to their students. Child and adolescent social emotional needs are rising due to a variety of factors (COVID-19 long term effects, racialized trauma, higher pressures in the home and environment). Counselors working in schools over the next 3-5 years need to help students reduce barriers that manifest in the student's daily life (anxiety, trauma, neglect) and help students build protective factors (support system, coping skills, social emotional support) so that they can refocus on their academic and career goals.
What will help Student Support Counselors increase their earning potential?
Wendy Hoskins Ph.D.: Counselors working in schools can maximize their salaries in a few ways. After graduation, make sure to move from a provisional license to a permanent professional school counseling license in your state as soon as you qualify. This may involve taking an exam such as the Praxis. Consider additional certifications (National Certified School Counselor) and education (Advanced Graduate Certificate, Ph.D.) that can result in a pay raise. Counselors who stay within the same district can also maximize pay and move across a pay scale based on how many years plus education invested after hire.
What general advice would you give to a Student Support Counselor?
Katherine Stavrianopoulos Ph.D.: Education and Credentials: Invest in obtaining advanced degrees and relevant certifications that enhance your qualifications and marketability. A master's or doctoral degree in counseling psychology, along with licensure or certification in your jurisdiction, can significantly increase your earning potential. Specialization and Niche Expertise: Develop expertise in specialized areas of counseling psychology that are in demand or command higher fees. Consider focusing on niche populations, such as children and adolescents, trauma survivors, couples therapy, family therapy and acquire specialized training or certifications to differentiate yourself in the market. Clinical Experience and Internships: Gain diverse clinical experience through internships, practicum placements, and supervised training opportunities. Continuing Education and Professional Development: Stay abreast of emerging trends, research findings, and evidence-based practices in counseling psychology through continuing education, workshops, and professional development opportunities.
What Student Support Counselor skills would you recommend for someone trying to advance their career?
Katherine Stavrianopoulos Ph.D.: Digital Literacy and Teletherapy Skills: With the continued integration of technology in mental health care, counselors will need to enhance their proficiency in digital platforms and teletherapy modalities. This includes utilizing secure video conferencing tools, managing electronic health records (EHR), and maintaining ethical standards in online therapy settings. Cultural Competence and Diversity Awareness: As awareness of cultural diversity and social justice issues grows, counselors must deepen their understanding of intersectionality and cultural humility. Competence in working with diverse populations and addressing systemic barriers to mental health care will from an antiracism lens will be essential for providing inclusive and culturally responsive services. Trauma-Informed Care: Given the prevalence of trauma and its impact on mental health, counselors will need to adopt trauma-informed approaches across various settings. This includes recognizing the signs of trauma, creating safe environments for disclosure, and integrating trauma-sensitive interventions into counseling practice. Resilience-Building and Positive Psychology: In addition to addressing mental health challenges, there will be a greater emphasis on promoting resilience and well-being. Counselors will incorporate positive psychology principles, such as strengths-based interventions and mindfulness techniques, to empower clients and enhance their coping skills. Collaborative and Interdisciplinary Care: With the recognition of the interconnectedness of physical and mental health, counselors will collaborate more closely with other healthcare professionals in integrated care settings. Strong communication skills and the ability to work collaboratively within multidisciplinary teams will be essential for providing holistic and comprehensive care to clients. Data Literacy and Outcome Measurement: Increasing emphasis on evidence-based practice and outcome measurement will require counselors to develop skills in data collection, analysis, and outcome evaluation. Ethical Decision-Making in Complex Situations: As counseling scenarios become increasingly complex, counselors will face ethical dilemmas that require nuanced decision-making. Strengthening skills in ethical reasoning, consultation, and ethical sensitivity will enable counselors to navigate challenging ethical issues with integrity and professionalism.
What will help Student Support Counselors increase their earning potential?
Katherine Stavrianopoulos Ph.D.: Continued Learning and Development: Stay committed to lifelong learning by attending workshops, pursuing advanced certifications, and staying updated on the latest research and therapeutic techniques. Supervision and Mentorship: Seek out supervision and mentorship opportunities from experienced professionals in the field. Consider participating in a peer supervision group where you can support one another and be open to constructive criticism as part of your development. Engage in regular self-reflection for personal growth. Prioritize Self-Care: Establish healthy boundaries between work and personal life, engage in activities that recharge you and help prevent burn out. Cultural Competence and Diversity: Cultivate cultural humility and strive to understand the diverse backgrounds and perspectives of your clients. Continuously educate yourself on multiculturalism and antiracism to provide competent and inclusive counseling services. Ethical Practice: Adhere to ethical guidelines and professional standards in your practice. Strive to Build Strong Therapeutic Relationships: Establish rapport, demonstrate empathy, and create a safe and trusting environment where clients feel comfortable exploring their thoughts and feelings. Evidence-Based Practice: Stay informed about research findings and utilize interventions that have been empirically validated for specific client populations and presenting issues. Networking and Collaboration: Build professional connections within the counseling community. Attend conferences, join professional organizations, and participate in networking events to expand your professional network. Collaboration with colleagues can lead to referrals, consultation opportunities, and mutual support. Consider doing some pro bono work: Pro bono services help bridge the gap to access mental health services for individuals who cannot afford them.
Professor Purvi Shah
Associate Professor of MarketingWhat general advice would you give to a Student Support Counselor?
Professor Purvi Shah: These were the questions lined up: 1. What general advice would you give to a graduate beginning their career? 2. What skills do you think will become more important and prevalent in the field in the next 3-5 years? 3. How can you maximize your salary potential when starting your career?
What Student Support Counselor skills would you recommend for someone trying to advance their career?
Professor Purvi Shah: We will be sure to feature your response in the article and send a draft over for your review before we promote it.
What will help Student Support Counselors increase their earning potential?
Professor Purvi Shah: We've found we get better responses over email than the phone because it gives you some time to think about it.
Jennifer Cipollone MA
Director of School Counseling & Af. Professor of Counseling Psychology, Ph.D. Student, Organizational LeadershipWhat Student Support Counselor skills would you recommend for someone trying to advance their career?
Jennifer Cipollone MA: Taking additional educational credits and professional development can help increase your salary potential and stay current with trends and issues facing students.
What will help Student Support Counselors increase their earning potential?
Jennifer Cipollone MA: Meeting the diverse needs of students, spanning academic, social-emotional, and college and career realms, requires a comprehensive understanding of the school counseling field. Establishing and nurturing relationships with stakeholders, from teachers and administrators to parents and external agencies, is essential for effective interventions but can prove challenging. Amidst these demands, counselors must also commit to ongoing professional development, staying abreast of best practices and emerging trends in school counseling.
Errol Rodriguez Ph.D., MAC, CRC
Assistant Dean & Program Director, Master's programs in General Psychology and Mental Health CounselingAdelphi University
Mental And Social Health Services And Allied Professions
What general advice would you give to a Student Support Counselor?
Errol Rodriguez Ph.D., MAC, CRC: In the next few years, counselors will benefit from developing skills in emerging technology such as artificial intelligence (AI) and how such technology is being used by clients through various social media applications that might lead to clinical concerns (.e.g., dating, gambling, pornography). Integrating some of these new technologies into therapeutically sound interventions will be one way to address these concerns both in traditional therapy settings, as well as virtually (e.g., avatar therapy).
What Student Support Counselor skills would you recommend for someone trying to advance their career?
Errol Rodriguez Ph.D., MAC, CRC: Given the complexities of the world today, emerging counseling professionals must be flexible in their treatment approach, inclusive in their understanding of diverse cultures and sub-cultures, and mature professionally through humility, self-reflection, and self-care.
What will help Student Support Counselors increase their earning potential?
Errol Rodriguez Ph.D., MAC, CRC: One way to maximize your earning potential when starting your career is to develop a focus, not just a specialization. A focus requires a broader lens when it comes to earnings. For example, specializing in clinical treatments for addiction is important and will generate referrals. However, having a focus in addiction treatments extends your reach into other adjacent areas such as business applications and services offered outside of the therapy office. It might start with the question, 'what other groups or organizations might benefit from my focus area?' This might lead to a consultation opportunity at a business that is interested in reducing burnout for its employees and by extension the sequelae of problems associated with burnout (e.g., depression, addiction). One opportunity often leads to another. The second way to maximize income early in your career is to consider ways to translate what you do into a public-facing profile. Whether using LinkedIn or your own website, it is crucial for the public to become acquainted with you professionally. Investing in this process will pay off quickly.
Leonis Wright Ph.D., LPC, NCC
Associate ProfessorGovernors State University
Student Counseling And Personnel Services
What general advice would you give to a Student Support Counselor?
Leonis Wright Ph.D., LPC, NCC: School counselors are expected to promote the academic, social/emotional, and career
development of all students via the creation and implementation of a data-informed
school counseling program. As a result, skills that are vital now and will be even more
prevalent in the next 3 -5 years, include, but are not limited to the following:
Leadership
Advocacy
Collaboration
Data Comprehension
Technology
Cultural Competency
Trama-Informed Care and Social-Emotional Learning (SEL)
If school counselors work at sharpening these skills, they will be better able to
effectively support the evolving needs of their students.
What Student Support Counselor skills would you recommend for someone trying to advance their career?
Dr. Jessica Lane Ph.D.: School Counselors are school leaders who are trained to work with ALL students in the areas of academic, career, and social-emotional domains. School counselors are prepared to provide proactive, data driven, developmentally appropriate comprehensive P-12 programming via classroom lessons, small group, and individual counseling to support student success. Skills such as: time management, study habits, communication, collaboration, cooperation, and conflict resolution are taught to build healthy behaviors, mindsets, and goals, and aid in student attendance, achievement, and behavior.
What will help Student Support Counselors increase their earning potential?
Dr. Jessica Lane Ph.D.: Every child deserves and needs supportive adults and student advocates, and school counselors serve in that capacity. The opportunity to help develop and support the whole student through academic, career, and social-emotional opportunities is very gratifying. A challenge of today's school counselors is the ability to have enough school counselors in schools and buildings to keep the number of students to school counselor ratio at an optimal level for student support and impact. Additionally, communicating to stakeholders how the role and training of school counselors has evolved to meet the needs of today's students is an important and necessary consideration for school counselors.
What Student Support Counselor skills would you recommend for someone trying to advance their career?
Abigail Akande Ph.D., CRC: Having had fieldwork experience as an undergraduate; having a related minor or certificate as a part of your undergraduate education; being multilingual; having undergraduate research experience; being enrolled in graduate school; taking on extra responsibilities to speed up promotions and raises; and considering your geographic location/being open to moving.
What general advice would you give to a Student Support Counselor?
Abigail Akande Ph.D., CRC: Stay flexible, your first job will not be your forever job. But it can serve as a great opportunity to gain experience and to forge important relationships in the field. Bachelor's-level employees in rehabilitation are generalists, who will potentially where a lot of hats. Take care of yourself and do your best to maintain a healthy work/life balance. Empathy fatigue can rear its ugly head if practitioners don't establish and maintain healthy boundaries. Ask for help when you need it. Use the vacation time that you earn. Promote client autonomy by collaborating and keeping a strengths-based perspective. In other words, clients empower themselves by being encouraged to tap into their own resources to problem-solve and make strides toward their rehabilitation goals. An easy way for a practitioner to become overwhelmed is by not encouraging teamwork.
What general advice would you give to a Student Support Counselor?
David Dunning: The classic skills people overlook are the soft ones: communication, time management, self-awareness of strengths and weaknesses, writing, and leadership. The important secret of life is that the better you are at technical skills, the more likely you are to be promoted to positions where they are less important. For the next 3-5 years, see what your mentors talk about and what your peers encounter. Get creative with new things. AI is entering the picture and the question is not how it can make your life easier but how it can help you do new and better things.
What Student Support Counselor skills would you recommend for someone trying to advance their career?
David Dunning: Gain different types of experiences and acquire useful skills as you navigate the next phase.
What will help Student Support Counselors increase their earning potential?
David Dunning: Always good to have mentors--more than one--and a network of people (and perhaps university alumni) to talk to and compare notes. Get out, be seen.
What general advice would you give to a Student Support Counselor?
Kristen Toole: Remember that this is a marathon, not a sprint. Personal and professional development are
lifelong processes that are never really finished. So, it is essential to pace yourself and establish a
foundation of healthy practices from the outset. Creating habits and routines in the beginning
with the end in mind can be a good strategy for success and sustainability.
Keep work-life balance and boundaries in mind from the start because breaking bad habits can
be tricky once established. Think about where you ultimately want to be and build toward that
future one step at a time. Also, it is okay if plans change! You never know where open-
mindedness and willingness to learn may take you.
What Student Support Counselor skills would you recommend for someone trying to advance their career?
Kristen Toole: This is an exciting time to be a counselor. It is a time for integration and inclusivity. With an
increasing focus on neuroscience and the advent of telehealth, incorporating science and
technology in counseling is increasingly relevant.
The use of technology is on the rise. As more people become familiar with telehealth, counselors
must become comfortable providing virtual care. Telehealth practices are also critical to
expanding our reach and improving the accessibility of our services.
Undeniable links between science and counseling continue to emerge. Findings in neuroscience
are shaping how we understand counseling and informing best practices (Cammisuli &
Castelnuovo, 2023). Furthermore, this supports incorporating knowledge and skills from other
disciplines to broaden the counseling field's horizons.
Mastering essential attending behaviors and the basic listening sequence (Ivey et al., 2018) is not
enough if we cannot successfully and accurately position our clients against a backdrop of broad
and complex contextual factors. Embracing diverse perspectives is crucial to supporting holistic
counseling practices. Integrating new information will be the key to achieving a more complete
and inclusive understanding of our clients and our work as we move forward.
What will help Student Support Counselors increase their earning potential?
Kristen Toole: Post-pandemic disparities have highlighted the necessity of prioritizing mental health and the
need for more mental health providers (Fink-Samnick, 2023; Health Resources & Services
Administration, 2023). The counseling field is expected to outpace the national average for
occupational growth six-fold over the next ten years (U.S. Department of Labor, 2022). There is
no question that counselors are in demand, but there are still a few strategies for new
professionals to maximize their salary potential.
A growing number of students are entering counseling graduate programs, having completed
undergraduate minors and focus areas in related fields. This is fantastic conceptually and can be
a vital strategy for enhancing their counseling work. Skill building is one way to optimize
success and salary.
Some graduate programs, like Xavier's, offer options for obtaining additional certifications along
the way to a master's degree. In Xavier's counseling program, students can choose courses that
allow them to get certificates in addiction counseling and medical trauma-informed care. For
clinical mental health counselors, this is an excellent way to demonstrate skill mastery, and for
school counselors, it provides a unique opportunity to broaden their scope of practice. Either
way, additional certifications exhibit a commitment that potential employers can appreciate.
Counselors who are well-informed about their market value and earning potential can engage in
informed offer negotiations. Additional skills are one way beginning professionals can increase
their starting salary. However, it is important to remember that total earnings include several
elements, and salary is just one piece of that puzzle.
Counselors are immensely versatile and can find work in various settings, so they need to
understand their options in addition to their earning potential. Benefits, schedule, and location
are other things that can impact the earnings bottom line and are essential to consider. Finally,
counselors must know themselves: personality, interests, work values, and abilities impact job fit
and, ultimately, work satisfaction. These are crucial considerations for mitigating compassion
fatigue (Stamm, 2010), which can limit counselors' longevity.
New professionals must research and reflect as they enter the job market. There are many things
to consider when choosing a job, and it can feel overwhelming. Thankfully, various resources,
such as the Occupational Outlook Handbook, O*Net, Glassdoor, and Monster, offer
indispensable tools and information to job seekers.
What general advice would you give to a Student Support Counselor?
Emily Yowell Ph.D.: A practicing counselor's day is often full of sessions with clients. These sessions may be individual therapy, couples/families, or groups of individuals with some shared presenting issue. Counselors also have to complete paperwork associated with these sessions throughout the day. Some counselors also provide supervision to newer practitioners as a part of their work roles.
What Student Support Counselor skills would you recommend for someone trying to advance their career?
Emily Yowell Ph.D.: There is a critical need for mental health care in our world. Many want to help with this need, making counseling a good profession to enter now.
What will help Student Support 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.
Leigh Ann Tipton-Fisler, PhD, BCBA
Associate Professor and Program Coordinator of Specialist in School Psychology and Clinical/ Community Mental Health Graduate ProgramsWestern Illinois University
Clinical, Counseling And Applied Psychology
What will help Student Support Counselors increase their earning potential?
Leigh Ann Tipton-Fisler, PhD, BCBA: - I think skills in using and being familiar with artificial intelligence (AI) will be important in our field now and in the upcoming five years. The capabilities of the open AI sources has exponentially grown smarter in just the past year. The tools accessible are revolutionizing the way people write reports, generate recommendations, capture clinical notes, and even summarize and synthesize information. It is technology that we must learn to understand after the point of graduate training where we can apply our professional decision-making skills and theoretical knowledge to the information input/output of this great technology.
What general advice would you give to a Student Support Counselor?
Leigh Ann Tipton-Fisler, PhD, BCBA: - The best I can give to graduates is to focus on taking small steps at first. Often the first year in the field can be exciting and overwhelming at the same time. The system we work in (the helping profession broadly) often has a lot of challenges, and new professionals want to re-envision a path for changes. This is tangible, but at first, it is important to understand the roles and functions in the workplace before flipping everything upside down. I suggest taking one small change at a time in an area that is important to you and build relationships and trust with your professional colleagues before overloading yourself with the new job and new goals.
What Student Support Counselor skills would you recommend for someone trying to advance their career?
Leigh Ann Tipton-Fisler, PhD, BCBA: - The best I can give to graduates is to focus on taking small steps at first. Often the first year in the field can be exciting and overwhelming at the same time. The system we work in (the helping profession broadly) often has a lot of challenges, and new professionals want to re-envision a path for changes. This is tangible, but at first, it is important to understand the roles and functions in the workplace before flipping everything upside down. I suggest taking one small change at a time in an area that is important to you and build relationships and trust with your professional colleagues before overloading yourself with the new job and new goals.
Lisa Brown
Assistant ProfessorLewis University
School Counseling Program
What skills stand out on Student Support Counselor resumes?
Lisa Brown: School counselors have always worked with issues beyond academic performance and college admission. School counselors may be the first to hear of child abuse in the home, deaths occurring in the family, parents struggling with a medical issue, and so forth. Today, school counselors address more social-emotional, mental health, and behavioral issues than ever before. Students are concerned about the socio-political climate, systemic racism, school shootings, bullying, and teen suicide. Therefore, a school counselor who has additional training in these areas would be an asset to a school. Our national professional organization, American School Counseling Association (ASCA), provides resources and training on these topics to ensure the school counselors remain competent to address these concerns. School counselors with knowledge and training on crisis and trauma response are especially helpful as many students have experienced various traumas due to COVID-19.
Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI) training and experiences are also highly sought after. School counselors are agents of change with an ethical obligation to serve as advocates and leaders in combatting systemic discrimination and education barriers. This is not restricted to race but does include other multicultural factors. During COVID-19, school counselors have seen an increase in the number of students identifying as non-binary. School counselors collaborate with parents, teachers, coaches, and administrators to ensure that these individuals are respected and a valued part of the school.
What soft skills should all Student Support Counselors possess?
Lisa Brown: School counselors must be efficient. They may have large caseloads of students for which they are responsible. Being able to prioritize, manage their time, and have a strong work ethic are necessary components to success. Attitude is also key. School counselors are to be empathic, approachable, and nonjudgmental. This means school counselors need to be open to learning from others and be willing to confront any bias or prejudice they may hold.
School counselors are collaborators within the school system and may work as part of a large team that may include the student, parents, teachers, coaches, deans, social workers, psychiatrists, and so forth. School counselors must understand and demonstrate teamwork and conflict resolution.
What hard/technical skills are most important for Student Support Counselors?
Lisa Brown: Because of the prevalence of social/emotional issues within K-12, especially in the last few years, school counselors need to have assessment skills. School counselors need to identify any red flags in their students that may indicate the student is struggling. This goes beyond academics and includes aspects such as interpersonal skills and self-worth.
Similar to assessment is data analysis. The gathering of data does not stop after a student is assessed but rather is just beginning. School counselors are held accountable to demonstrate the interventions they are utilizing are working. Data is also used to secure future funds. If an intervention used within the fall resulted in little change, a school district might not allocate funds to continue to use the same program. School counselors utilize data to demonstrate how effective they are and advocate for additional resources to address social/emotional issues within their student body.
As we learned during COVID-19, school counselors need to be tech-savvy. Many students are still learning remotely or are utilizing a hybrid format. While this has been quite helpful for some students, others are falling through the cracks. School counselors have had to get creative in checking in with their students and are doing so through technology.
What skills will help Student Support Counselors earn the most?
Lisa Brown: Earning potential for school counselors is not likely to vary based on skillset, but rather the state or school district. Salary may vary based on the type of degree (master's versus doctorate) and level of experience. I am unsure of what skills may increase one's salary. As a counselor educator, I advise my students to remain relevant. Part of being successful in our field understands how current events shape the lives and needs of our students. Currently, there is a great need for school counselors to understand trauma, LGBTQ+ identities, and how to establish an anti-racist school.