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.
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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.
Related Job Titles for this Occupation:
- 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.
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.
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
- 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:
How Long Does it Take to Become an Educational or Vocational Counselor?
Who Employs Educational, Guidance, School, and Vocational Counselors?
The table below shows some of the most common industries where those employed in this career field work.
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:
- Education Professors
- Postsecondary Education Administrators
- Home Economics Professors
- Middle School Teachers, Except Special and Career/Technical Education
- Criminal Justice and Law Enforcement Professors
References:
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More about our data sources and methodologies.
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