School, Guidance & Career Counselor Salary By Region & Experience

Before jumping into a detailed salary guide in this career, there are a few key differences between school counselors and career or guidance counselors that are worthy of examination.

School counselors play an important role in students’ life. They help them develop social and academic skills that help them succeed in academic settings at various levels, including in elementary schools, middle schools, and high schools. They help students in achieving their scholastic goals and also help new students adjust to school. School counselors often work closely with parents or guardians of students who are having problems at school, and they may either work with individuals or groups of students.

Career or guidance counselors, on the other hand, are responsible for helping people in developing skills, exploring a career, or choosing an educational program that will lead them to a fruitful career. They help their clients find the right schools and programs that meet their educational goals, and they also assist them with financial resources and training programs. They usually work in office environments and may be employed in high schools, where they help students select the appropriate post-secondary education, or in colleges to help students choose a major and find employment following graduation.

Typical duties of school counselors include:

• Evaluating students’ interests and abilities through assessments, individual planning, and interviews
• Communicating with students, identifying their obstacles, and working together to overcome them
• Identifying and communicating special needs
• Consulting with teachers or parents on communication methods, obstacles, and appropriate strategies
• Identifying issues that affect school performance
• Helping students in understanding and overcoming behavioral or social problems
• Maintaining records
• Reporting possible cases of abuse or neglect and referring students and their parents to resources outside the school for additional support

Typical duties of career counselors include:

• Advising clients on how to solve problems such as conflicts with coworkers or bosses
• Assisting clients to locate and apply for jobs
• Helping clients learn job search skills, such as networking and interviewing
• Evaluating the backgrounds of their client to help them develop realistic goals
• Using achievement assessments for helping clients evaluate their skills, abilities, and interests.

Read on to learn how much school and career counselors make, where they are employed, the top-paying clinical specializations, the top-paying industries, and more.