Explore This Path
School Guidance Counselor
š° Earn $64K-$120K
š Master Degree
ā±ļø 48 Month Training
š 13.5% Job Growth
- Inspire and guide students to achieve their educational and career goals.
- Make a positive impact by supporting students through academic and personal challenges.
- Unique role in identifying and addressing students' diverse needs and potential.
What School Guidance Counselors DoAdvise and assist students and provide educational and vocational guidance services.
- Provide crisis intervention to students when difficult situations occur at schools.
- Confer with parents or guardians, teachers, administrators, and other professionals to discuss children's progress, resolve behavioral, academic, and other problems, and to determine priorities for students and their resource needs.
- Identify cases of domestic abuse or other family problems and encourage students or parents to seek additional assistance from mental health professionals.
- Counsel individuals to help them understand and overcome personal, social, or behavioral problems affecting their educational or vocational situations.
- Counsel students regarding educational issues, such as course and program selection, class scheduling and registration, school adjustment, truancy, study habits, and career planning.
School Guidance Counselors Education, Salary, and GrowthOnly you can decide how much you need to earn ā but knowing what it actually costs to live in your area can help. The Family Budget Calculator can guide you.
Minimum EducationMaster Degree
Career ProspectsExcellent (Increasing by 5% or more)
Training TimeOver 4 years
Job Openings6,900 Annually
Median earnings
California Median
$86,500
Most earn within this range
median ā¾
$64K25th percentile
$120K75th percentile
National Median
$64,330
Most earn within this range
median ā¾
$51K25th percentile
$83K75th percentile
Real Talk Reel
We've curated a playlist for you to get a glimpse into a day in the life of this career.
Is This Career Right For You?
YOU Like
- Relating with or serving others
you value
- Accomplishing things
- Job security
- Personal relationships
you are skilled in
- Speaking
- Monitoring
- Critical Thinking
- Reading Comprehension
- Active Listening
- Social Perceptiveness
Go Deeper: School Guidance Counselors Explained
School Guidance CounselorExplore career pathways, key skills, and what each role has to offer.
How Do You Train for This Career?
Learn about the education and training paths that can lead to this career ā and what to expect from each one.
Associate's DegreeAn associate's degree typically provides graduates with foundational knowledge and skills for entry-level jobs in the graduate's industry, or serves as a stepping stone towards further education.
š College
ā±ļø Finish in 2-3 years
Bachelor's DegreeA bachelor's degree typically results in increased knowledge about a variety of academic subjects, specialized knowledge in a focused field of study, and is considered the foundational qualification for many careers.
š College
ā±ļø Finish in 4-5+ years
Vocational SchoolA vocational school typically equips students with specialized skills and practical training in specific trades or occupations, enhancing their employability and providing direct pathways to relevant careers.
š Skills-Focused
ā±ļø Finish in 6 months - 2 years
ApprenticeshipAn apprenticeship typically offers a combination of hands-on training and classroom instruction, leading to practical skills, industry-specific knowledge, and the potential for long-term employment in a specific trade or profession.
š Paid Work
ā±ļø Finish in 2-5 years
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Updated April 2026. Data sourced from O*NET and Bureau of Labor Statistics.
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