Overall, job prospects are expected to be favorable for those seeking counseling jobs. In fact, the Department of Labor reports that job openings in counseling are expected to exceed the number of students graduating from counseling programs. However, pay rates and job openings for counseling jobs will vary by specialty. Read on to find out how your specialty will fare in today’s job market.
1. Educational, School, and Vocational Counselors
In 2008, there were over 275,000 people who were employed as educational, school, and vocational counselors. The Bureau of Labor Statistics reports that educational, school, and vocational counselors should see a 14% job growth between 2008 and 2018. Since workers are being increasingly required to have multiple job changes over their careers the demand for career and vocational counselors is expected to grow.
School counselors are required by states to be employed at the elementary school level. At the middle and high school level, school counselors are becoming more helpful with crisis prevention counseling to include helping students deal with a range of issues from alcohol abuse to suicide prevention. However, budget constraints may dampen the job growth of school counseling jobs due to a reduction in student-to-counselor ratios.
The following are the median annual wages for educational, school, and vocational counselors by industry:
Elementary and secondary schools: $58,000
Junior colleges: $50,000
Colleges, universities, and professional schools: $44,000
Vocational rehabilitation services: $35,000
Individual and family services: $34,000
2. Rehabilitation Counselors
In 2008, there were over 129,000 people who were employed as rehabilitation counselors. The Bureau of Labor Statistics reports that rehabilitation counselors can expect a 19% job growth between 2008 and 2018. This rise in rehabilitation counseling jobs is expected because of an increasing size in the elderly population. The elderly will need counseling to help them deal with injuries or disabilities that occur with old age.
The following are the median annual wages for rehabilitation counselors by industry:
State government: $45,000
Local government: $39,000
Vocational rehabilitation services: $29,000
Individual and family services: $28,000
Residential mental retardation, mental health, and substance facilities: $26,000
3. Mental Health Counselors
In 2008, there were over 113,000 people who were employed as mental health counselors. The Bureau of Labor Statistics reports that mental health counselors can expect a 24% job growth between 2008 and 2018.
This is because more individuals are willing to seek help. In addition, insurance companies under managed care prefer to pay mental health counselors than psychologists and psychiatrists because they are more expensive to reimburse.
The following are the median annual wages for mental health counselors by industry:
Local government: $46,000
Health practitioners: $41,000
Outpatient care centers: $38,000
Individual and family services: $36,000
Residential mental retardation, mental health, and substance abuse facilities: $30,000
4. Behavioral Disorder and Substance Abuse Counselors
In 2008, there were over 86,000 people who were employed as behavioral disorder and substance abuse counselors. The Bureau of Labor Statistics reports that behavioral disorder and substance abuse counselors will have good opportunities for counseling jobs with a 21% expected job growth between 2008 and 2018.
The job growth is due to more people being willing to seek treatment for addictions. In addition, courts are increasingly sending drug offenders to get treatment for their addictions, rather than sending them to jail.
The following are the median annual wages for behavioral disorder and substance abuse counselors by industry:
Medical and surgical hospitals: $44,000
Local government: $42,000
Outpatient care centers: $37,000
Individual and family services: $35,000
Residential mental retardation, mental health, and substance facilities: $31,000
5. Marriage and Family Counselors
In 2008, there were over 27,000 people who were employed as marriage and family counselors. The Bureau of Labor Statistics reports that marriage and family therapists can expect a 14% job growth in counseling jobs between 2008 and 2018. There has been an increasing recognition of the field and people are more willing to seek help for family and marital problems than in the past.
The following are the median annual wages for marriage and family counselors by industry:
State government: $51,000
Local government: $48,000
Outpatient care centers: $47,000
Health practitioner offices: $41,000
Individual and family services: $40,000
6. Self Employed Counselors
A large number of counselors are choosing to be self-employed, work in a private practice, or work in a group practice. Insurance companies are now reimbursing these counselors making this a more viable option. Self-employed counselors and counselors employed in private or group practices that are well-established have the highest earnings out of all counselors.
In conclusion, the job outlook for counseling is expected to grow faster than average for all occupations.