Guidance Counselor: Career Overview

Official government data · Updated April 2026

Guidance Counselors earn a national median of $65,140/yr with 3.5% projected employment growth over 2024–2034. The role draws on expertise in Customer and Personal Service, English Language, Therapy and Counseling.

Median Salary

$65,140

National · 2024

10-Year Growth

3.5%

About as fast as average

Employed Nationally

342,350

2024 data

Typical Education

Master's degree

Entry-level

What Employers Expect From a Guidance Counselor

These are the competencies recruiters screen for in Guidance Counselor candidates, ranked by importance. Your resume should demonstrate each one:

1 Active Listening 2 Speaking 3 Social Perceptiveness 4 Service Orientation 5 Reading Comprehension 6 Writing 7 Critical Thinking 8 Active Learning 9 Learning Strategies 10 Monitoring

Knowledge Areas

Core knowledge domains most important for Guidance Counselor performance, based on verified occupational data.

Customer and Personal Service English Language Therapy and Counseling Education and Training Psychology

Tools & Technologies

High-demand tools and technologies for Guidance Counselor roles.

Student information systems SIS software Adobe Photoshop Microsoft Dynamics

Job Outlook: 2024–2034

Employment is projected to grow 3.5% for Guidance Counselor roles over the 2024–2034 decade. That's about as fast as average compared to the 4% average across all occupations.

Current Employment
342,350
Projected Growth
3.5%
Typical Education
Master's degree

Frequently Asked Questions

What does a Guidance Counselor do?
Guidance Counselors apply expertise in Customer and Personal Service, English Language, Therapy and Counseling to perform their core responsibilities. Key competencies include Active Listening, Speaking, Social Perceptiveness, Service Orientation.
How much does a Guidance Counselor make?
The national median salary for a Guidance Counselor is $65,140 per year based on official government wage survey data. Actual compensation varies by location, experience, and employer.
Is Guidance Counselor a good career in 2026?
Employment for Guidance Counselor roles is projected to grow 3.5% over the 2024–2034 decade — about as fast as average compared to all occupations. There are currently 342,350 workers in this occupation nationally.
What education do you need to become a Guidance Counselor?
The typical entry-level education for a Guidance Counselor is Master's degree. Requirements vary by employer and specialization.
What skills do Guidance Counselors need?
The most important skills for Guidance Counselor roles based on verified occupational data: Active Listening, Speaking, Social Perceptiveness, Service Orientation, Reading Comprehension, Writing, Critical Thinking, Active Learning, Learning Strategies, Monitoring. Key tools and technologies include: Student information systems SIS software, Adobe Photoshop, Microsoft Dynamics.

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Salary, employment, and skills figures sourced from official U.S. government records and occupational databases. Actual compensation and requirements vary by location, experience, and employer. Salary and employment figures from official U.S. government records. Actual compensation varies by location, experience, and employer.