7 High-Paying Counseling Jobs

Counseling career specialties can range from mental health and rehabilitation to genetics. Discover high-paying counseling jobs below.
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  • There are numerous types of counseling jobs available for qualified candidates.
  • Pay varies based on location and demand for a specific counseling specialty.
  • Many counseling jobs require a master's degree and state licensing.
  • Additional testing and completion of clinical hours may be required to practice as a counselor.

A counseling career is a rewarding choice for anyone who wants to help people in need and have a positive effect on their lives. A degree in counseling will prepare you for many positions in the field, including substance use, behavioral disorder, or mental health counselor, among many others.

These professionals earn a median annual salary of $49,710, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS). However, your salary will vary based on what type of practice you work in, your education level, and your location. Below are the seven highest-paying counseling jobs in the field.

Featured Online Counseling Programs

Learn about start dates, transferring credits, availability of financial aid, and more by contacting the universities below.

What Are High-Paying Counseling Careers?

Here is a list of the 7 high-paying counseling careers, along with the job outlook, education level, and licenses/certifications that are required for each.

1. Mental Health Counselor

  • Median Annual Salary (2022): $49,710
  • Job Outlook (2022-2032): 18%
  • Required Education: Master's degree
  • Licenses/Certifications: State licensure

Mental health counselors work with people who are coping with emotional challenges, including depression, anxiety, stress, and grief. They assess and treat individuals or groups and provide them with coping strategies for behavioral change. They also help couples and families manage mental health issues in their relationships.

Mental health counselors help clients reach their recovery goals by teaching behavior modifications and providing resources for recovery, working with family members, and discharge planning once treatment is complete.

2. Substance Use Counselor

  • Median Annual Salary (2022): $49,710
  • Job Outlook (2022-2032): 18%
  • Required Education: Bachelor's degree
  • Licenses/Certifications: State licensure; master's degree may be required for some positions.

A substance use counselor helps people mentally and physically recover from alcoholism or other addictions. They evaluate clients' addictive behaviors and then develop treatment plans with them and their families to help them overcome them. This includes developing strategies to support their recovery and referring them to resources like job placement services and support groups.

Substance use counselors also run outreach programs to help people realize their addictions so they can seek help.

3. School Counselor

  • Median Annual Salary (2022): $60,140
  • Job Outlook (2022-2032): 5%
  • Required Education: Master's degree
  • Licenses/Certifications: Depending on the state, certification, licensure, or an endorsement is required. A teaching license may also be required.

A school counselor works with students to help them overcome behavioral challenges, establish academic and career goals, and develop skills to support their learning. They also help students manage their social and emotional development.

School counselors also teach staff and students about topics including substance use, bullying, and other counseling subjects to improve the lives of students. The school counselor's specific duties can vary based on the type of school and how old their students are.

4. Genetic Counselor

  • Median Annual Salary (2022): $89,990
  • Job Outlook (2022-2032): 16%
  • Required Education: Master's degree
  • Licenses/Certifications: State licensure

Genetic counselors study genetic disorders and syndromes that are inherited within families.

They work with individuals to assess them for specific conditions and birth defects, evaluating family history, conducting interviews, and documenting the information. They also work in conjunction with healthcare providers to help people make the best decisions based on these outcomes.

In addition to educating their clients about genetic conditions, they also refer clients to physicians and provide psychological and emotional support to clients as needed. They can work in a variety of specialties, including psychiatry, prenatal, or pediatrics.

5. Rehabilitation Counselor

  • Median Annual Salary (2022): $39,990
  • Job Outlook (2022-2032): 2%
  • Required Education: Master's degree
  • Licenses/Certifications: State licensure may be required based on the state and services provided

A rehabilitation counselor works with people to help them overcome or manage disabilities so they can live independently. These disabilities can be mental, physical, emotional, or developmental.

A rehabilitation counselor's duties include providing counseling services to help clients manage their disability, finding and providing clients with resources to help increase independence, developing treatment plans, and arranging medical care as needed. Rehabilitation counselors also work with employers to help them understand the unique needs of those with disabilities.

6. Marriage and Family Counselor

  • Median Annual Salary (2022): $56,570
  • Job Outlook (2022-2032): 15%
  • Required Education: Master's degree
  • Licenses/Certifications: State licensure

A marriage and family counselor specializes in helping couples and families overcome mental and emotional challenges so that they can better function as a unit. Marriage and family counselors also diagnose cognitive and behavioral disorders and provide treatment. This can include referral to other medical professionals, recommending resources and services to help, and developing treatment plans to help clients better understand and manage their behaviors. All of this is done with a focus on the couple or family as a whole.

7. Career Counselor

  • Median Annual Salary (2022): $60,140
  • Job Outlook (2022-2032): 5%
  • Required Education: Master's degree
  • Licenses/Certifications: Some states require licensure for career counselors

Career counselors help students determine their strengths and interests to help them choose a career path. They also teach career development techniques and provide resources and sources of career information. This is used to help students determine the steps they need to take to reach their career goals.

Career counselors can work with parents, school staff, and community organizations in secondary schools or colleges.

How to Find a Counselor Job

Students who want to find a job in counseling can choose from various hiring resources. They can join student clubs or professional organizations to stay informed about opportunities in the field. Other options include working with their college's career center, as well as traditional job boards and networking sites.

Students can also find connections in the field and build relationships with practicing counselors to gain job leads. They can also identify companies or organizations they're interested in working for and check their websites regularly for counselor job openings.

Frequently Asked Questions About Counselor Jobs

How much money can I make as a counselor?

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The median annual pay for a substance use or mental health counselor is $49,710, but this can vary based on the type of counseling job. For example, genetic counselors earn a median salary of $89,990 per year.

Many jobs will pay differently based on location, organization, and your level of education. Employment for counselors is expected to grow 5%-18% from 2022-2032, depending on the type of counseling. Opportunities for advancement can also result in a pay increase.

What is the highest-paid counseling job?

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The earning potential for future counselors depends largely on their level of education, professional experience, clinical expertise, and geographic location. Top-earning counselors typically hold at least a master's degree and have advanced clinical experience and professional certificates. Those experienced, top-earning counselors often work in private practice.

Additionally, counselors who take on leadership positions tend to earn more than those tackling entry-level positions. Experienced professionals can expand their career opportunities through certificate programs in business, management, and health informatics.

What is the best counseling job?

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The best counseling job is the one that best suits the needs of the counselor. Counseling leans on a set of foundational skills, but students have the opportunity to focus their curriculum and clinical experiences around various specializations in the field. Common counseling specializations include mental health, school, pastoral, and addiction.

In addition to counseling specializations, the professional setting can also impact how fulfilling a counselor may find their particular position. For the entrepreneurial-minded, beginning a career in private practice counseling is a solid option. For individuals interested in the intersection of religion and counseling, a career in pastoral counseling could prove fruitful.

Can I become a counselor with an online degree?

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Online counseling programs are a popular option for both undergraduate and graduate students. When reviewing potential online programs, seek out programs accredited by the Council for Accreditation of Counseling and Related Education Programs (CACREP).

Online programs are often flexible and affordable, allowing students the opportunity to continue working while keeping up with academic requirements. While online, stand-out online programs offer extensive student support, including tutoring, mentoring, career services, and mental health services.

What is the fastest way to become a counselor?

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Online students may be able to complete their counseling degrees more quickly than on-campus learners, and some schools offer accelerated programs.

However, for most students, the timeline to becoming a counselor is pretty rigid. A bachelor's degree takes four years to complete, and completing a master's program and earning state licensure takes about two years to complete. In total, it will take about six years for most aspiring counselors to start their careers.

Note: The insights on this page — excluding school descriptions — were reviewed by an independent third party compensated for their time by BestColleges. Page last reviewed February 22, 2024.

BestColleges.com is an advertising-supported site. Featured or trusted partner programs and all school search, finder, or match results are for schools that compensate us. This compensation does not influence our school rankings, resource guides, or other editorially-independent information published on this site.

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