Job+outlook+and+Earnings

**Job Outlook and Earnings**



According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, in 2008 counselors held about 665,500 of the jobs held in the U.S. Of this total, 361,900 of these jobs were held by Educational, Vocational and School Counselors as well as substance abuse and behavioral disorder counselors. All of which have a strong place in the College Counseling field.

College counseling which falls under Educational, Vocational and School Counselors is projected to grow to by 314,400 for the year 2018. This is a 14% increase compared to the 2008 projection which is more than average for all occupations. Budget constraints at every school and college may dampen the job growth for this group, we hope that Federal grants and financial supports from the government will help to make up for tight budgets and allow the reduction in student-to-counselor ratios.

Median annual wagesof educational, vocational, and school counselors were $51,050. The middle 50percent earned between $38,740 and $65,360. The lowest 10 percent earned less than $29,360, and the highest 10 percent earned more than $82,330. These counselors can earn additional income by working summers within or outside the system in other jobs. Median annual wages in the industries (private) employing the largest numbers of educational, vocational, and school counselors can be higher than these figures.