Pros and Cons of Becoming a School Counselor
View available schools
As a school counselor, you might find employment at the elementary, middle, high school or postsecondary level. Read on for more of the pros and cons of this job to see if it is right for you.
| Pros of a School Counselor Career |
|---|
| Average expected employment growth rate (12% growth between 2012 and 2022)* |
| Higher-than-average salary (nearly $10,000 higher than mean wage for all occupations)* |
| May have summers off when school is closed * |
| Rewarding job making a difference in lives of youth * |
| Cons of a School Counselor Career |
|---|
| Entry-level education usually requires master's degree (about 36-60 credit hours to complete)* |
| Must have state-issued certification or licensure to practice (can require 2,000-3,000 hours clinical experience)* |
| High cost of education and licensure compared with average starting salary (about $40,000 with less than a year of experience)** |
| May need to work with uninvolved parents to be successful in helping youth* |
Sources: *U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, **PayScale.com.
1
/5
