Educational counselors help students and adults navigate education and career decisions. You'll work one-on-one and in groups, drawing on psychology and counseling knowledge. Most positions require a bachelor's degree and extensive preparation.
Pathly builds you a free, personalized roadmap and helps your counselor champion you along the way.
Educational counselors guide students and adults through academic planning, career exploration, and personal development. You listen actively to understand each person's goals and challenges, then help them make informed decisions about their education and career paths. Your work includes gathering information about educational programs and job opportunities, communicating with supervisors and colleagues to coordinate support, and building strong relationships with the people you serve. You solve problems, update your knowledge regularly, and use computers to track progress and access resources.
Core work activities
Career video courtesy of CareerOneStop.
Educational, Guidance, and Career Counselors and Advisors earn a median of $64,330 a year, based on 2025 data from the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics. Pay rises with experience, specialty, and location.
The outlook is steady. Employment is projected to grow 4 percent from 2024 to 2034, about as fast as average for all occupations, with about 31,000 openings a year.
Top skills
Knowledge areas
You'll need a bachelor's degree to enter this field, which typically takes four years. Your coursework will cover customer service, English language, therapy and counseling, education and training, psychology, and administrative practices. During your studies, you'll develop skills in active listening, speaking, critical thinking, writing, and active learning. Many programs include internships or practicum experiences where you work directly with students or clients under supervision before entering the field independently.
Most paths to this career start with a bachelor's degree in counseling, education, or psychology. If you're deciding between programs or want to map out your next steps, Pathly can map the educational, guidance, and career counselor and advisor path that fits you to build a plan with your school counselor.
Many educational, guidance, and career counselor and advisors must be licensed, and professional certifications can strengthen your resume.
Common certifications
Licensing is handled at the state level and the requirements vary, so check the licensing board in your state. Pathly shows your state's specific steps inside your roadmap.
You're drawn to work that centers on people and relationships. You enjoy helping others solve problems, communicating clearly, and building trust through genuine connection.
Reading about a career is the easy part. Turning it into a plan is where most students get stuck. Pathly takes you from curious to a clear next step, and gives your counselor the insight to champion you along the way.
Start with a quick quiz and assessments that surface your personality, your EQ, and what really motivates you, so your next steps are built around who you actually are.
Your free AI guide weighs this career against your strengths and goals, and surfaces the colleges, trades, and scholarships that match, so you know if it truly fits before you commit.
Get a personalized, step-by-step plan to reach this career, with the training, coursework, and credentials tracked in one place. Link your school or IEC and your counselor in the loop.
Last updated July 1, 2026.
Data sources. Career details from the O*NET 30.3 Database by the U.S. Department of Labor, Employment and Training Administration (USDOL/ETA), used under CC BY 4.0. O*NET® is a trademark of USDOL/ETA. Salary and outlook figures from the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (May 2025 wages; 2024–2034 projections), delivered via the CareerOneStop API. Certification, licensing, wage, and outlook data from CareerOneStop, sponsored by USDOL/ETA and the Minnesota Department of Employment and Economic Development (DEED).