A counselor's salary varies by specialty and level of education achieved.
The amount of money a counselor makes per year depends on the specialty of the counselor, and the level of education achieved. There is a wide variety of counseling jobs. Some require advanced degrees, such as a Master's degree in counseling or an LPC (Licensed Professional Counselor). Some counselors have degrees from other disciplines, such as social work or sociology. A counselor's job in each field is varied, and so is the pay.
Kinds of Counselors
The federal Occupational Outlook Handbook defines six categories of counselors: substance abuse and behavioral disorder counselors; educational, vocational and school counselors; marriage and family therapists; mental health counselors; rehabilitation counselors and other counselors. Each category has a different salary.
Substance Abuse and Behavioral Disorder Counselors
Substance abuse counselors work with people who are recovering from drug and alcohol addiction, and behavioral disorder counselors work with people with a range of behavioral disorders. They can work in mental health agencies, rehab centers, hospitals or any place that treats these kinds of problems. On average, substance abuse and behavioral disorder counselors earn $34,000, as of 2008, which means most make between $27,330 and $42,650, but some may earn more than $50,000.
Educational, Vocational and School Counselors
Educational, vocational and school counselors work in educational institutions. They help students and their families with problems, but they also help counsel students through the academic progress, helping them make schedules, chose classes and apply for colleges. The average school counselor makes $47,500 per year. Of the counselor salaries reported in this category, the highest earners made more than $75,000.
Marriage and Family Therapists
Marriage and family therapists work in specialized nonprofit organizations, social service organizations or private practices. The work is exceptionally varied, ranging from helping couples deal with domestic violence to helping children with behavioral disorders, to counseling a family through a death or divorce. Most make between $33,000 and $55,000.
Mental Health Counselors
Mental health counselors help people suffering from a very broad spectrum of mental illnesses. They create treatment plans, help evaluate the effectiveness of medication and counsel people through emotional disorders, addiction, stress and even suicide attempts. For their services, most are paid between $27,000 and $45,000. The highest paying salaries come from hospitals and government agencies.
Rehabilitation Counselors
Rehabilitation counselors assess people with disabilities or injuries to determine what or how much functioning they have, and help the individual find a job or relearn skills needed at home. These counselors work with the client and the client's family, employer, school or residential facility to help the client's transition and be successful at using vocational and life skills. Most make between $23,000 and $39,000. Residential care facilities pay the least, while hospitals and government agencies pay the highest.
The Highest Wages
The highest wages overall, in any group, were the counselors who either worked for the government, had their own practices or participated in a group counseling practice.
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