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Working Conditions and Employment Opportunities for Counselors
Jobs in the counseling field are expected to grow faster than the national average.
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Most types of counselors work flexible hours. This allows them to meet with their clients or patients whenever there is a crisis. Many of the people who need counseling have school or work during the week and therefore need to meet with their counselor in the evening or on weekends. The counselor has to allow for this.
Where Counselors are Employed
Counselors can work in public or private establishments such as healthcare facilities, career centers, social agencies, residential care facilities, and even correctional institutions and halfway houses. A growing number are self-employed as well.
Over one third of counselors work in educational or vocational counseling, accounting for 248,000 jobs in 2004, according to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS). Rehabilitation counselors are the next largest group, with 131,000 positions, followed by mental health counselors, with just under 100,000 individuals employed. Substance abuse and marriage and family counselors hold another 100,000 jobs.
Future careers in mental health counseling and family counseling should be plentiful. The number of job openings will most likely exceed the number of graduates from counseling programs. With one of every four counselors working for state and local government, most others are in the healthcare industry. Employment for mental health counselors will grow as it is more socially acceptable to seek professional assistance for mental problems. Rehabilitation counselors are expected to be in demand due to improved medical treatments that allow independent living. With more people changing jobs and careers in mid life, and with an increase in state and local initiatives promoting welfare to work programs, a sizeable increase in the number of career and vocational counselors is expected as well.
The BLS reported a median annual income of $45,570 for counselors of all types in 2004. The median annual income for mental health counselors was slightly lower at $32,960. If helping others through emotional and mental issues seems like a good fit for you, pursue a career in mental health to make a difference in someone’s life.