The 5 Highest Paying Careers in Counseling

Updated November 7, 2024

Counseling is a profession that allows you to create lasting changes in people’s lives. The demand for counselors is high, and the versatility within the profession is noteworthy.

Whether you’re interested in school counseling, marriage and family therapy, or clinical mental health counseling, there are many paths you can take. Obtaining your counseling degree online opens up many opportunities for years to come.

If you’re considering a career in counseling, you’re probably curious about the highest-paying jobs in the field. By delving into the various careers and understanding the salary potential, you can better envision your future as a professional counselor.

1. School Counselor

If you're interested in cultivating young minds and driving students toward their full potential, school counseling is an excellent fit for you.

School counselors are crucial in supporting students' academic, career, and personal development. They assist students in navigating emotional or social challenges, providing guidance and support tailored to each individual's needs.

With training in developmental psychology and counseling techniques, school counselors are well-prepared to guide students through personal and academic struggles. Their expertise enables them to offer personalized advice and resources and create a supportive environment where students can thrive both academically and personally.

By addressing students' diverse needs, school counselors contribute significantly to the overall well-being and success of the student community.

• Role: Support students’ academic, career, and personal development and help them navigate emotional or social challenges.
• Why Counseling Fits: Training in developmental psychology and counseling techniques prepares you to guide students through personal and academic struggles.
• Salary Range: $50,000 – $80,000 per year.*

With specialized training like you would receive through the Master's Degree in School Counseling program at Colorado Christian University, you'll have the skills to address diverse student needs, advocate for their well-being, and promote positive outcomes. This career path allows you to impact students' lives and contribute to their success.

2. Career Counselor

This path is similar to becoming a school counselor in many ways. The biggest difference is who you are working with as your clients. Just like young people, adults can struggle to determine career goals and build necessary skills.

Career counselors play a vital role in assisting individuals to evaluate their career goals, interests, and skills. They provide guidance through career transitions or job searches, ensuring their clients are well-prepared for the next steps.

Your comprehensive training in psychology and counseling equips you with the ability to support clients in making informed career decisions, navigating complex workplace challenges, and developing strategies for professional development and growth. By understanding the unique needs and aspirations of each client, you help them build a fulfilling and successful career path.

• Role: Help individuals assess their career goals, interests, and skills, guiding them through career transitions or job searches.
• Why Counseling Fits: Your training in psychology and counseling enables you to support clients in making informed career decisions and handling workplace challenges.
• Salary Range: $40,000 – $70,000 per year.*

With specialized training, you'll have the skills to address diverse career concerns, provide effective interventions, and support clients in achieving their goals. This career path allows you to make a meaningful difference in individuals' lives and career paths.

3. Marriage and Family Therapy Counselor

Marriage and family therapists (MFTs) counsel couples and families, focusing on relationship dynamics and conflict resolution. These professionals play a vital role in helping individuals navigate complex emotional landscapes and create stronger connections within their relationships.

“Each person and each family has their own unique cultural ecosystem,” said Dr. Trent Langhofer, Clinical Director and Clinical Mental Health Counseling Professor at Colorado Christian University. “Part of successful mental health care is getting intimately familiar with these proverbial cultural ecosystems of each of my clients.”

A master’s degree in Clinical Mental Health Counseling with an emphasis in Marriage and Family Therapy prepares you to handle a wide range of interpersonal issues, equipping you with the skills needed to facilitate open and effective communication.

Through this training, MFTs learn to address diverse challenges, including parenting conflicts, communication breakdowns, and issues related to intimacy and trust, thereby promoting healthier and more fulfilling family dynamics.

• Role: Provide counseling to couples and families, focusing on relationship dynamics and conflict resolution.
• Why Counseling Fits: A master’s in counseling with an emphasis in marriage and family therapy prepares you to handle interpersonal issues and facilitate communication.
• Salary Range: $50,000 – $85,000 per year.*

Clinic mental health counselors also contribute significantly to mental health treatment, particularly during a national mental health crisis. With specialized training, you’ll have the skills to address complex family dynamics, provide effective interventions, and promote healthy relationships. This career path allows you to positively impact clients’ lives and relationships.

4. Rehabilitation Counselor

Rehabilitation counselors play a crucial role in aiding individuals with physical, emotional, or mental disabilities in achieving greater independence and secure employment. They work closely with clients to understand their unique needs and challenges and provide tailored support and guidance.

With specialized knowledge in rehabilitation counseling, these professionals can develop comprehensive, individualized care plans that address each client's specific goals and aspirations.

They coordinate a variety of resources, educational programs and services to ensure clients have the support they need to succeed. This holistic approach not only improves the clients' quality of life but also empowers them to contribute positively to society.

• Role: Assist individuals with physical, emotional, or mental disabilities in gaining independence and finding employment.
• Why Counseling Fits: Specialized knowledge in rehabilitation counseling allows you to create individualized care plans and coordinate resources for client success.
• Salary Range: $40,000 – $65,000 per year.*

With specialized training, you'll have the skills to address diverse rehabilitation concerns, provide effective interventions, and support clients in achieving positive outcomes. This career path allows you to make a meaningful difference in individuals' lives and well-being.

5. Substance Use Disorder Counselors

Substance use disorder counselors play a crucial role in assisting individuals grappling with addiction, guiding them toward recovery, and helping them manage their substance use disorders. Behavioral disorder counselors who work within the broader field of mental health and substance abuse counseling also see a rising demand due to an increasing number of individuals seeking counseling services.

Your specialized training in addiction counseling equips you as a substance abuse counselor with the skills necessary to develop personalized treatment plans, conduct behavioral therapy sessions, and offer unwavering support throughout the recovery journey.

By fostering a safe and understanding environment, you empower individuals to overcome challenges and work towards a healthier, substance-free life, ultimately making a positive impact on their well-being and future.

• Role: Work with individuals dealing with addiction to help them recover and manage their substance use disorders.
• Why Counseling Fits: Your specialized training in addiction counseling equips you to provide treatment plans, behavioral therapy, and support through recovery.
• Salary Range: $40,000 – $65,000 per year.*

With specialized training by earning your Master’s in Counseling with an emphasis in Substance Use Disorders, you’ll have the skills to address addiction challenges, provide evidence-based interventions, and support clients on their recovery journeys. This career path allows you to make a meaningful difference in individuals’ lives and contribute to their well-being.

Taking the First Step

If you’re ready to enter the gratifying and sustainable counseling field, CCU is here to help. By pursuing your counseling degree online at CCU, you can specialize in clinical mental health counseling, substance use disorder counseling, marriage and family therapy, or even school counseling.

This flexibility allows you to tailor your education to your career goals and better serve the communities you are passionate about helping. CCU’s experienced faculty and professional staff are dedicated to guiding you into the life of service, significance, and solvency you’ve chosen to pursue.

*Salary Information Disclosure: The salary data presented here is derived from the Bureau of Labor Statistics. This information reflects broad industry averages and is not specific to graduates of our institution. Individual outcomes may vary based on numerous factors, including but not limited to geographic location, economic conditions, industry demand, personal qualifications, and performance. We encourage you to research and consider multiple factors when evaluating potential career outcomes.