6 Careers You Can Pursue With a Master’s in Counseling
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If you have a master’s degree in counseling or are considering pursuing one, you may be wondering what career options are available to you. There are a variety of paths you can take, depending on your interests and strengths.
Do you want to work with individuals, couples, or in a specific setting? This article will explore six counseling careers you can pursue with a master’s in counseling, covering the skills and knowledge needed for each.
Reality Check: Do I Need A Master’s Degree To Become A Counselor?
To become a licensed counselor, you usually need a master’s degree in counseling. Most states require a graduate degree to practice professionally. However, you can work in counseling with a bachelor’s degree in roles like mental health technician or case manager. These roles, though, have limited scope and authority.
What Is Counseling?
Counseling is a collaborative process between a counselor and a client, with the goal being to help the client address personal, social, or psychological challenges. As a counselor, you’ll work with your client to explore their thoughts, feelings, and behaviors to identify issues and create coping strategies to support their growth and well-being.
Counselors address many issues, such as emotional, behavioral, relational, and work-related challenges. To be an effective counselor, you must understand human behavior and psychological theories at an advanced level. Most people pursue a graduate degree in counseling to become a professional counselor.
6 Careers You Can Pursue With a Master’s in Counseling
With a master’s in counseling, you can explore many paths based on your interests. For example, if you want to help people with job searches, consider career counseling. If you prefer working with families, a marriage and family counselor focuses on relationship dynamics.
Counseling careers come with different stressors. Some people may find it challenging to work with clients dealing with addiction. Others might prefer working with families or married couples. Think about which type of counseling degree and which career path suit you best.
While each counseling type has a specific focus and its own set of educational requirements, all of the following counseling careers require at least:
- A master’s degree (for full practicing scope)
- State licensure
- Supervised experience
| Type of Counselor | Annual Median Salary (2024) | Job Outlook (2023-2033) | Ideal Degree Program |
|---|---|---|---|
| Career Counselor | $65,140 | 4% | Master’s in Counseling |
| Clinical Mental Health Counselor | $59,190 | 19% | Master’s in Counseling |
| Marriage and Family Counselor | $63,780 | 16% | Master’s in Family Counseling |
| Rehabilitation Counselor | $46,110 | 2% | Master’s in Counseling |
| School Counselor | $65,140 | 4% | Master’s in School Counseling |
| Substance Misuse Counselor | $59,190 | 19% | Master’s in Addiction Counseling |
1. Career Counselor
How Much Career Counselors Make: $65,140
Top 10% of Earners: $105,870
What Career Counselors Do: Career counselors, or career coaches, help people make informed career choices. They work with clients to find their strengths, weaknesses, values, and interests and guide them to suitable career paths. Counselors also provide job searching, resume writing, and interview preparation resources.
Ideal Career for You: If you enjoy helping others, have a passion for career development, and prefer to work one-on-one with clients
2. Clinical Mental Health Counselor
How Much Mental Health Counselors Make: $59,190
Top 10% of Earners: $98,210
What Mental Health Counselors Do: Clinical mental health counselors help individuals, groups, and families diagnose and treat mental health issues. They assess needs, create treatment plans, and provide counseling to improve their patients’ mental well-being. They also help patients manage disorders such as anxiety, depression, or trauma.
Ideal Career for You: If you have a great deal of empathy, strong listening skills, and a desire to help people overcome mental health issues
3. Marriage and Family Counselor
How Much Marriage and Family Counselors Make: $63,780
Top 10% of Earners: $111,610
What Marriage and Family Counselors Do: Marriage and family counselors help improve relationships for families and couples. They identify conflicts, improve communication, and strengthen bonds. They may also assist couples facing divorce or families dealing with trauma.
Ideal Career for You: If you have strong interpersonal skills, patience, and a passion for working with families or married couples
4. Rehabilitation Counselor
How Much Rehabilitation Counselors Can Make: $46,110
Top 10% of Earners: $77,200
What Rehabilitation Counselors Do: Rehabilitation counselors help people with disabilities or challenges reach their full potential. They assess needs, create rehabilitation plans, and guide clients in accessing resources and job opportunities. They also offer emotional support, help clients cope with the psychological impact of their disabilities or challenges, and build a sense of well-being.
Ideal Career for You: If you possess strong problem-solving skills, empathy, and a passion for helping individuals with disabilities
5. School Counselor
How Much School Counselors Make: $65,140
Top 10% of Earners: $105,870
What School Counselors Do: School counselors provide various support to students but mostly focus on supporting their academic, social, and personal development. They provide counseling, develop college and career readiness programs, and collaborate with teachers. School counselors also help students with bullying, self-esteem, and academic difficulties.
Ideal Career for You: If you have strong communication skills and a passion for working with and supporting children through their developmental stages
6. Substance Misuse Counselor
How Much Substance Misuse Counselors Make: $59,190
Top 10% of Earners: $98,210
What Substance Misuse Counselors Do: Substance misuse counselors provide counseling and support to people struggling with addiction to substances, such as alcohol or drugs. They help clients develop coping skills, manage cravings, and build support networks. While a bachelor’s degree is sufficient for entry-level substance misuse counseling roles in some states, those with a master’s degree can provide a broader scope of practice, supporting those with eating disorders and providing one-on-one private services.
Ideal Career for You: If you possess a great deal of empathy, strong communication skills, a nonjudgmental attitude, and a desire to help others overcome addiction
Which Counseling Career Is Right for Me?
Choosing a counseling career will depend on many factors. Reflect on your passions, the communities you want to support, and your preferred work environment. By taking these factors into account and understanding how they align with your preferences, you can make an informed decision about your counseling career path.
When deciding which type of counselor you want to become, ask yourself these five questions:
- What issues do I want to advocate for?
- What populations do I want to help and work with?
- What type of setting do I want to work in?
- Do I prefer individual or group counseling?
- Will I be able to separate myself from my patients’ issues?
Frequently Asked Questions About Types of Counseling Careers
Mental health counseling can be a very rewarding yet challenging career. The demand for licensed counselors is on the rise. The BLS projects that jobs for mental health counselors will grow 19% from 2023-2033, much faster than the average for all jobs.
Mental health counselors earn a median annual salary of $59,190, well above the median wage for all occupations ($49,500). However, this field can be emotionally taxing and may lead to burnout. Whether this type of counseling is right for you ultimately comes down to the type of career path and client base you’re looking to help.
