General
Counseling Psychology
Data derived specifically from PUMS raw data for Counseling Psychology.
Entry Level Salary
$35,308
Median Salary
$64,851
Unemployment Rate
2.5%
Avg: 2.2%
Underemployment Rate
15.7%
Working non-college jobs
Earnings Trajectory
Lifetime: $2,594,040
Entry (Early)
$35,308
Median (Prime)
$64,851
High (Prime)
$63,721
ROI Sensitivity AnalysisAssuming 4 Years to Graduation
This analysis tests three "What-If" scenarios. While most students start at the Entry Level, calculating ROI using Median and High salaries helps illustrate the potential long-term payoff for top performers relative to the degree cost.
Lifetime Value Added (NPV)
Entry Level
Median
High
$0 Cost
-138k
+122k
+113k
$25k / yr
-228k
+32k
+23k
$50k / yr
-318k
-58k
-67k
Break-even Age
Entry Level
Median
High
$0 Cost
Never
31
31
$25k / yr
Never
48
51
$50k / yr
Never
Never
Never
Return on Investment %
Entry Level
Median
High
$0 Cost
0%
∞
∞
$25k / yr
-210%
30%
21%
$50k / yr
-146%
-26%
-31%
Sensitivity Analysis Methodology: These grids assume you begin your career earning the salary specified in the column header (Entry Level = conservative baseline, Median/High = potential upside).
These figures are medians for past graduates who received federal aid. Your cost and pay will differ. Run your own numbers in the Guided ROI Interview →
Education Impact
Advanced Degree Rate73.7%
Analysis: A large percentage of students in this field pursue Master's or Doctoral degrees to maximize earnings.
Top Professions
Educational, guidance, and career counselors and advisors
12.9% of graduates map to this role
Growing
Entry Salary
$52,226
Median Salary (PUMS | BLS)
$66,038|$64,330
openings
27,800 /yr
Growth (10yr): +2.9%
Counselors, all other
12.4% of graduates map to this role
Growing
Entry Salary
$35,222
Median Salary (PUMS | BLS)
$53,440|$50,860
openings
4,300 /yr
Growth (10yr): +5.9%
Counselors, social workers, and other community and social service specialists
6.2% of graduates map to this role
Growing
Entry Salary
$33,000
Median Salary (PUMS | BLS)
$61,763|$58,300
openings
249,100 /yr
Growth (10yr): +8.3%
Therapists, All Other
4.5% of graduates map to this role
Stable
Entry Salary
$25,488
Median Salary (PUMS | BLS)
$53,592|N/A
openings
N/A /yr
Growth (10yr): N/A
Elementary and middle school teachers
4.1% of graduates map to this role
Stable
Entry Salary
$44,026
Median Salary (PUMS | BLS)
$52,468|$64,170
openings
127,300 /yr
Growth (10yr): -0.4%
Counselors, social workers, and other community and social service specialists
2.8% of graduates map to this role
Growing
Entry Salary
$48,660
Median Salary (PUMS | BLS)
$57,645|$58,300
openings
249,100 /yr
Growth (10yr): +8.3%
Social workers, all other
2.5% of graduates map to this role
Growing
Entry Salary
$39,391
Median Salary (PUMS | BLS)
$55,000|$71,900
openings
5,800 /yr
Growth (10yr): +2.3%
Management occupations
2.4% of graduates map to this role
Growing
Entry Salary
$38,000
Median Salary (PUMS | BLS)
$85,018|$126,520
openings
1,081,700 /yr
Growth (10yr): +6.2%
Social and community service managers
2.1% of graduates map to this role
Growing
Entry Salary
$34,757
Median Salary (PUMS | BLS)
$61,763|$80,390
openings
18,500 /yr
Growth (10yr): +7.2%
Social scientists and related workers
1.8% of graduates map to this role
Growing
Entry Salary
$38,158
Median Salary (PUMS | BLS)
$78,946|$97,900
openings
20,600 /yr
Growth (10yr): +4.1%
About this Data:
- Entry: Median salary for graduates aged 22 to 27 (American Community Survey).
- Median (PUMS | BLS): Comparison of this major's graduates vs. the national market average for the role.
- Growth & Openings: 10-year national projections (2025–2035).
Undergraduate Pathway Guidance
Counseling psychology is a graduate-level profession. The standard undergraduate pathway is a major in Psychology.