Information Provided by the Bureau of Labor Statistics Occupational Outlook Handbook
School counselors must be certified, and other counselors must be licensed to practice in all but two States. A masters degree generally is needed to become a licensed counselor. Job opportunities for counselors should be very good because job openings are expected to exceed the number of graduates from counseling programs. State and local governments employ about 4 in 10 counselors, and the health services industry employs most of the others.
On average, Substance Abuse and Behavioral Disorder Counselors earn $ 34,040 per year.
Job Opportunities for Substance Abuse and Behavioral Disorder Counselors are expected to:
Increase faster than average.
Counselors assist people with personal, family, educational, mental health, and career problems. Their duties vary greatly depending on their occupational specialty, which is determined by the setting in which they work and the population they serve.
Education and training requirements for counselors are often very detailed and vary by State and specialty. Prospective counselors should check with State and local governments, employers, and national voluntary certification organizations to determine which requirements apply.
Educational, vocational, and school counselors work primarily in elementary and secondary schools and colleges and universities. Other types of counselors work in a wide variety of public and private establishments, including healthcare facilities; job training, career development, and vocational rehabilitation centers; social agencies; correctional institutions; and residential care facilities, such as halfway houses for criminal offenders and group homes for children, the elderly, and the disabled.
