Professional Counselors Love Their Work, But Not Their Earnings

The vast majority of professional counselors enjoy their work and feel appreciated by their clients, but nearly half say they feel poorly compensated for the important job they do, results of a survey commissioned by the American Counseling Association (ACA) show. One-third of counselors hold a second job to earn additional money, the survey reveals. 

Licensed professional counselors represent the second largest segment of the mental health workforce, according to data from the Government Accountability Office.

More than 11,000 professional counselors and trainees responded to the survey, which was sponsored by HPSO and conducted on ACA’s behalf by McKinley Advisors. The responses showed that most counselors feel positive about their work but face the burden of low pay, high cost for their education and a desire for more professional support.

Survey highlights include:

• Nearly three-fourths of respondents said they pursued a counseling career to have a positive impact, and more than 90% said they enjoy the work and feel appreciated by their clients. 86% said they plan to stay in the field over the next three years.

• Nearly half of respondents reported a surge in demand for their services following the COVID-19 pandemic, and nearly 40% said they felt overworked. More than half said the threat of burnout from managing high caseloads was a major challenge for people working in the profession.

• The average annual income for a professional counselor has climbed 43% to $71,000 over the past decade. Respondents say their income does not reflect their education, their skills and the cost of living.
  

• More than half of the respondents have a student loan debt, owing roughly 113% more than the national average. Counselors from marginalized populations reported the highest amount of debt.

• The majority of the 34% of counselors who hold a second job cited additional income as the primary motivation or need. Counselors working in school or university settings were the most likely to hold a second job, theoretically because they have more time for outside work because of summer and other school breaks.

ACA’s research spotlights the inequalities and other concerns that the association can address to help professional counselors thrive in their work, said CEO Shawn Boynes, FASAE, CAE. He added that ACA is committed to addressing the concerns raised in the survey through its advocacy, educational resources, research and other available tools.

(Newswise/MJ)