Counselors assist people in making life decisions in a wide range of specialties. As a counselor, you may work with people with mental or physical disabilities, substance addictions, school and job issues, and trauma disorders. Therefore, counselors need to be patient, stable, and motivated to face these challenges on a daily basis.
Counselor Salary and Career Outlook
Here's an idea of the type of salary and job growth numbers counselors might expect in the coming years:
| Career | Total Employment | Annual Mean Wage |
|---|---|---|
| Counselors, All Other | 25,420 | $48,800 |
| Educational, Guidance, and Career Counselors and Advisors | 296,460 | $61,000 |
| Marriage and Family Therapists | 59,050 | $54,590 |
| Rehabilitation Counselors | 109,040 | $40,160 |
| Substance Abuse, Behavioral Disorder, and Mental Health Counselors | 283,540 | $49,950 |
Benefits of Counselor Training Online
The BLS reports that most counselors hold national or state certifications and these certifications require you to have a bachelor's and master's degree. If you are interested in becoming a counselor, counselor training online can help you earn your degrees from your home and on your schedule. The flexibility of online classes allows you to keep your full-time job while preparing yourself for the best jobs and highest salaries in this growing field.
Sources:
- Education, Guidance, Schools, and Vocational Counselors, Occupational Employment and Wages, May 2015, Occupational Employment Statistics, Bureau of Labor Statistics, http://www.bls.gov/oes/current/oes211012.htm
- Marriage and Family Therapists, Occupational Employment and Wages, May 2015, Occupational Employment Statistics, Bureau of Labor Statistic, http://www.bls.gov/oes/current/oes211013.htm
- Mental Health Counselors, Occupational Employment and Wages, May 2015, Occupational Employment Statistics, Bureau of Labor Statistic, http://www.bls.gov/oes/current/oes211014.htm
- Rehabilitation Counselors, Occupational Employment and Wages, May 2015, Occupational Employment Statistics, Bureau of Labor Statistics, http://www.bls.gov/oes/current/oes211015.htm
- Substance Abuse and Behavioral Disorder Counselors, Occupational Employment and Wages, May 2015, Occupational Employment Statistics, Bureau of Labor Statistics, http://www.bls.gov/oes/current/oes211011.htm