There are different fields that require licensed professional counselors, and their salary depends on the area of their expertise and the size of the organization.
They say it’s a very fulfilling experience, being able to affect change in someone’s life, and it’s one of the motivations for people choosing to become a counselor. A professional counselor could have expertise in different areas, whether it is school, marriage, substance abuse, or career counseling. The salary will depend on the area he chooses to work in. Listening skills is one of the most important qualities that he should possess, along with all the information pertaining to his work area. The society that we live in is evolving into a very intricate cosmos, and many times, professional guidance is needed to make the right decisions.
Professional Counselors
In a result-oriented society, which forgets who came second, and doesn’t even mention the participants, the pressure to succeed is enormous. Professional guidance helps us to deal with many difficult situations that life presents to us on a daily basis. It is always good to consult a person, who is the subject matter expert in the area we struggle in. The jobs in this field are gaining prominence day-by-day, and their expertise is sought after by many. Let’s take a look at the different areas they work in and their wages.
School Counselors: Kids today have to deal with immense peer pressure, along with parental expectations everyday. This makes them vulnerable to vices and some wrong social and career decisions. School counselors advise students on social issues, and may act as mediators between the students and their parents or the school administration. They also suggest career paths after interacting with the students, and making them aware of the current economic and social trends. Their salary can vary between USD 35,000 to USD 51,000 annually, and its variable component depends upon the organization they work for, and the years of experience they have.
Marriage Counselors: Marriage counseling is one of the most lucrative avenues; it is not an easy job to assertively negotiate between two people who don’t see eye to eye on any situation. To understand and analyze the psyche of two people at the same time, and then to get them to understand each others’ views and beliefs are a tough job. The salary of these professionals can fluctuate between USD 32,000 and USD 49,000 annually, as in other jobs, it varies depending upon the organization you work for, and the clients you cater to. Those with few years of experience in the field can earn as high as USD 72,000.
Career Counselors: One of the well-paid jobs among all the types is that of career counselors. Economy playing roulette is one of the major factors in the growth of this counseling segment. They will check your aptitude and skills to help you with your career planning. If you are looking to start fresh, or want to experiment with job change, they will provide you with a lot of data, which will help you to make your decision. Their salary floats anywhere between USD 31,000 to USD 51,000, and those with expertise in specific areas like management and consulting make around USD 61,000 to USD 75,000 annually.
Substance Abuse Counselors: They have to be able to deal with emotionally charged and sensitive clients. Counseling happens in groups and in one-on-one sessions, where the goal is to make the client understand that addiction is just an outer manifestation of some underlying problem. The important thing is to get the clients to share their experience, and get to the root of the problem. Another responsibility is to provide therapy to the family of the affected individual, and to carry out community awareness programs to help the society better deal with the menace of addiction and alcoholism. The pay scale is between USD 27,000 to USD 39,000, and the variations depend on the organization they work for.
Thus, in society, these professionals play an integral role by making the clients aware of societal trends, industry information, and provide unbiased suggestions to make the right decision. Their salary generally fluctuates according to years of experience, the organization they work for, and the area of expertise.