General
Counseling Psychology
Data derived specifically from PUMS raw data for Counseling Psychology.
Entry Level Salary
$35,397
Median Salary
$62,475
Unemployment Rate
2.5%
Avg: 2.2%
Underemployment Rate
17.0%
Working non-college jobs
Earnings Trajectory
Lifetime: $2,499,000
Entry (Early)
$35,397
Median (Prime)
$62,475
High (Prime)
$61,903
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
-137k
+101k
+96k
$25k / yr
-227k
+11k
+6k
$50k / yr
-317k
-79k
-84k
Break-even Age
Entry Level
Median
High
$0 Cost
Never
32
32
$25k / yr
Never
56
59
$50k / yr
Never
Never
Never
Return on Investment %
Entry Level
Median
High
$0 Cost
0%
∞
∞
$25k / yr
-209%
10%
6%
$50k / yr
-146%
-36%
-38%
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).
Important Note: Your ROI with any major will depend on the cost you pay to attend the program, and your starting salary. Both vary significantly across institutions. We encourage you to explore the ROI of a specific program variant by selecting the Program title of the credential level you are interested in. You will then have a more detailed return analysis for programs at specific institutions. We also encourage you to use the ROI calculator, or for more sophisticated analysis, the Guided ROI Interview, with your specific estimates of cost and salary.
Education Impact
Advanced Degree Rate73%
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
12.5% of graduates map to this role
Growing
Entry Salary
$45,020
Median Salary (PUMS | BLS)
$66,405|$65,140
openings
31,000 /yr
Growth (10yr): +3.5%
Counselors, all other
12.2% of graduates map to this role
Growing
Entry Salary
$34,217
Median Salary (PUMS | BLS)
$53,000|$49,830
openings
7,400 /yr
Growth (10yr): +12.6%
Counselors, social workers, and other community and social service specialists
5.5% of graduates map to this role
Growing
Entry Salary
$35,397
Median Salary (PUMS | BLS)
$56,228|$57,480
openings
265,800 /yr
Growth (10yr): +7.6%
Elementary and middle school teachers
4.0% of graduates map to this role
Stable
Entry Salary
$42,769
Median Salary (PUMS | BLS)
$53,801|$62,500
openings
132,400 /yr
Growth (10yr): -2%
Therapists, All Other
3.8% of graduates map to this role
Stable
Entry Salary
$30,000
Median Salary (PUMS | BLS)
$55,000|N/A
openings
N/A /yr
Growth (10yr): N/A
Counselors, social workers, and other community and social service specialists
3.1% of graduates map to this role
Growing
Entry Salary
$57,388
Median Salary (PUMS | BLS)
$57,269|$57,480
openings
265,800 /yr
Growth (10yr): +7.6%
Social workers, all other
2.8% of graduates map to this role
Growing
Entry Salary
$36,016
Median Salary (PUMS | BLS)
$50,735|$69,480
openings
7,000 /yr
Growth (10yr): +3.9%
Social and community service managers
2.3% of graduates map to this role
Growing
Entry Salary
$33,765
Median Salary (PUMS | BLS)
$47,823|$78,240
openings
18,600 /yr
Growth (10yr): +6.4%
Management occupations
2.2% of graduates map to this role
Growing
Entry Salary
$53,801
Median Salary (PUMS | BLS)
$83,300|$122,090
openings
1,147,900 /yr
Growth (10yr): +6.1%
Social scientists and related workers
1.8% of graduates map to this role
Growing
Entry Salary
$34,433
Median Salary (PUMS | BLS)
$72,000|$92,900
openings
23,100 /yr
Growth (10yr): +3.7%
About this Data:
- Entry: Median salary for graduates aged 27 and under (PUMS).
- Median (PUMS | BLS): Comparison of this major's graduates vs. the national market average for the role.
- Growth & Openings: 10-year national projections (2024–2034).
Undergraduate Pathway Guidance
Counseling psychology is a graduate-level profession. The standard undergraduate pathway is a major in Psychology.