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Educational, Guidance, School, or Vocational Counselor

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What is an Educational, Guidance, School, or Vocational Counselor?

Job Description: Counsel individuals and provide group educational and vocational guidance services.

Educational or Vocational Counselor Responsibilities

  • Interview clients to obtain information about employment history, educational background, and career goals, and to identify barriers to employment.
  • Establish and supervise peer counseling and peer tutoring programs.
  • Provide crisis intervention to students when difficult situations occur at schools.
  • Attend meetings, educational conferences, and training workshops and serve on committees.
  • Teach classes and present self-help or information sessions on subjects related to education and career planning.
  • Refer students to degree programs based on interests, aptitudes, or educational assessments.

Educational or Vocational Counselor Skills

Below is a list of the skills most Educational, Guidance, School, and Vocational Counselors say are important on the job.

Active Listening: Giving full attention to what other people are saying, taking time to understand the points being made, asking questions as appropriate, and not interrupting at inappropriate times.

Social Perceptiveness: Being aware of others’ reactions and understanding why they react as they do.

Speaking: Talking to others to convey information effectively.

Reading Comprehension: Understanding written sentences and paragraphs in work related documents.

Service Orientation: Actively looking for ways to help people.

Writing: Communicating effectively in writing as appropriate for the needs of the audience.

  • Career Development Facilitator
  • Residence Counselor
  • Guidance Counselor
  • Education Counselor
  • Career Coach

What Kind of Educational or Vocational Counselor Job Opportunities Are There?

In the United States, there were 291,700 jobs for Educational, Guidance, School, or Vocational Counselor in 2016. New jobs are being produced at a rate of 12.6% which is above the national average. The Bureau of Labor Statistics predicts 36,700 new jobs for Educational, Guidance, School, or Vocational Counselor by 2026. There will be an estimated 35,300 positions for Educational or Vocational Counselor per year.

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The states with the most job growth for Educational or Vocational Counselor are Utah, Nevada, and Colorado. Watch out if you plan on working in Alaska, Maine, or Vermont. These states have the worst job growth for this type of profession.

Educational or Vocational Counselor Average Salary

Educational, Guidance, School, and Vocational Counselors make between $33,610 and $94,690 a year.

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Educational, Guidance, School, and Vocational Counselors who work in California, New Jersey, or Massachusetts, make the highest salaries.

How much do Educational, Guidance, School, and Vocational Counselors make in each U.S. state?

State Annual Mean Salary
Alabama $53,420
Alaska $66,730
Arizona $53,980
Arkansas $53,950
California $74,530
Colorado $53,090
Connecticut $65,510
Delaware $63,990
District of Columbia $67,050
Florida $50,350
Georgia $56,500
Hawaii $59,110
Idaho $43,660
Illinois $56,540
Indiana $51,560
Iowa $54,650
Kansas $50,100
Kentucky $58,770
Louisiana $55,500
Maine $53,100
Maryland $65,910
Massachusetts $69,570
Michigan $55,890
Minnesota $58,360
Mississippi $50,940
Missouri $50,900
Montana $48,010
Nebraska $60,200
Nevada $54,960
New Hampshire $53,070
New Jersey $72,050
New Mexico $56,200
New York $67,920
North Carolina $50,140
North Dakota $57,250
Ohio $57,280
Oklahoma $44,000
Oregon $62,250
Pennsylvania $61,260
Rhode Island $62,800
South Carolina $52,890
South Dakota $42,750
Tennessee $51,240
Texas $60,080
Utah $52,200
Vermont $54,790
Virginia $65,230
Washington $64,210
West Virginia $44,730
Wisconsin $55,330
Wyoming $56,080

What Tools do Educational, Guidance, School, and Vocational Counselors Use?

Below is a list of the types of tools and technologies that Educational, Guidance, School, and Vocational Counselors may use on a daily basis:

  • Microsoft Excel
  • Microsoft Word
  • Microsoft Office
  • Microsoft PowerPoint
  • Microsoft Outlook
  • Web browser software
  • Microsoft Access
  • Data entry software
  • Email software
  • Word processing software
  • Microsoft Project
  • Microsoft SharePoint
  • Adobe Systems Adobe Photoshop
  • Microsoft Dynamics
  • Facebook
  • Microsoft Publisher
  • Google Docs
  • FileMaker Pro
  • Oracle PeopleSoft
  • Microsoft Internet Explorer

How to Become an Educational or Vocational Counselor

Education needed to be an Educational, Guidance, School, or Vocational Counselor:

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How Long Does it Take to Become an Educational or Vocational Counselor?

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Who Employs Educational, Guidance, School, and Vocational Counselors?

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The table below shows some of the most common industries where those employed in this career field work.

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Similar Careers

Are you already one of the many Educational, Guidance, School, or Vocational Counselor in the United States? If you’re thinking about changing careers, these fields are worth exploring:

References:

Image Credit: Umary.marketing via CC BY-SA 4.0

More about our data sources and methodologies.

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