What Do Educational, Guidance, School, or Vocational Counselor Do?

Educational or Vocational Counselor Job Description Counsel individuals and provide group educational and vocational guidance services.

Daily Life Of an Educational or Vocational Counselor

• Plan and conduct orientation programs and group conferences to promote the adjustment of individuals to new life experiences, such as starting college.
• Supervise, train, and direct professional staff and interns.
• Plan, direct, and participate in recruitment and enrollment activities.
• Plan and promote career and employment-related programs and events, such as career planning presentations, work experience programs, job fairs, and career workshops.
• Provide disabled students with assistive devices, supportive technology, and assistance accessing facilities, such as restrooms.
• Provide crisis intervention to students when difficult situations occur at schools.

What an Educational or Vocational Counselor Should Know

Educational, Guidance, School, and Vocational Counselors state the following job skills are important in their day-to-day work.

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:

• Job Developer
• Employment Training Specialist
• Career Services Coordinator
• Academic Advisor
• High School Guidance Counselor

Educational or Vocational Counselor Employment Estimates

There were about 291,700 jobs for Educational, Guidance, School, or Vocational Counselor in 2016 (in the United States). 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.

Below is a list of the median annual salaries for Educational, Guidance, School, and Vocational Counselors in different U.S. states.

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 & Technology do Educational, Guidance, School, and Vocational Counselors Use?

Although they’re not necessarily needed for all jobs, the following technologies are used by many Educational, Guidance, School, and Vocational Counselors:

• 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 do I Become an Educational or Vocational Counselor?

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

What work experience do I need to become an Educational or Vocational Counselor?

Where do Educational, Guidance, School, and Vocational Counselors Work?

Below are examples of industries where Educational, Guidance, School, and Vocational Counselors work:

You May Also Be Interested In…

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:

• Bureau of Labor Statistics
• College Factual
• O*NET Online

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

More about our data sources and methodologies.