⭐ Education ↑ 5% growth · Average

School Counselor / Counseling Paraprofessional

School counselors and their support staff guide students through academic, career, and social-emotional challenges — from course selection and college planning to crisis intervention and mental health support. The role has expanded significantly as student mental health needs grow nationwide.

$61,190 Median Salary
370K US Jobs
2–6 years Training
$15,000–$60,000 Typical Cost
Get Free Program Info → Find Schools

💰 Salary & Earning Potential

Salary data from the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS). Figures represent national averages — local wages vary by state, city, and employer.

Entry Level
$40,000
Median
$61,190
Experienced
$85,000
Want your state's salary? Select a state below to see local wage data, demand, and training programs.

📈 Job Outlook

5%
Projected Growth (10yr)
Average
370K
Total US Jobs
Active positions nationwide
State school counselor license
Required Credential
State school counselor license (master's required for lead counselor; associate-level support roles available)

🎓 Training & Education

Typical Program
Master's in School Counseling (lead) or BA + certification (support)
Program Length
2–6 years
Typical Tuition
$15,000–$60,000
Work Setting
Elementary, middle, and high schools; alternative education programs
🏆 Credential Required: State school counselor license (master's required for lead counselor; associate-level support roles available)

☀️ Day in the Life

A typical day as a School Counselor / Counseling Paraprofessional involves working closely with clients and colleagues in a Elementary environment. You'll apply your training daily while building expertise and advancing your career.

⚖️ Pros & Cons

Advantages

  • ✅ Strong job security
  • ✅ Rewarding work
  • ✅ Clear career progression
  • ✅ Growing demand

Challenges

  • ⚠️ Can be physically demanding
  • ⚠️ May require ongoing certification
  • ⚠️ Entry-level wages vary by region

🗺️ School Counselor / Counseling Paraprofessional by State

See local salary data, licensing requirements, and schools in your state:

FL FloridaGA GeorgiaTX TexasCA CaliforniaNY New YorkNC North CarolinaIL IllinoisOH OhioPA PennsylvaniaAZ ArizonaAL AlabamaAR ArkansasLA LouisianaMS MississippiSC South CarolinaTN TennesseeVA VirginiaWV West VirginiaKY KentuckyMD MarylandDE DelawareNJ New JerseyCT ConnecticutMA MassachusettsRI Rhode IslandNH New HampshireVT VermontME MaineMI MichiganIN IndianaWI WisconsinMN MinnesotaIA IowaMO MissouriND North DakotaSD South DakotaNE NebraskaKS KansasOK OklahomaCO ColoradoMT MontanaWY WyomingID IdahoUT UtahNV NevadaNM New MexicoWA WashingtonOR OregonAK AlaskaHI HawaiiDC Washington DC