General

Counseling Psychology

Data derived specifically from PUMS raw data for Counseling Psychology.

Entry Level Salary

$33,981

Median Salary

$60,000

Unemployment Rate

2.5%

Avg: 2.2%

Underemployment Rate

17.0%

Working non-college jobs

Earnings Trajectory

Lifetime: $2,400,000

Entry (Early)

$33,981

Median (Prime)

$60,000

High (Prime)

$60,000

ROI Sensitivity Analysis

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

-150k

+81k

$25k / yr

-240k

-9k

$50k / yr

-330k

-99k

Break-even Age

Entry Level

Median

High

$0 Cost

Never

$25k / yr

Never

$50k / yr

Never

Return on Investment %

Entry Level

Median

High

$0 Cost

∞

$25k / yr

-221%

-9%

$50k / yr

-152%

-46%

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 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

$41,650

Median Salary (PUMS | BLS)

$62,475|$65,140

openings

31,000 /yr

Growth (10yr): +3.5%

Counselors, all other

12.2% of graduates map to this role

Growing

Entry Salary

$32,640

Median Salary (PUMS | BLS)

$50,000|$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

$33,765

Median Salary (PUMS | BLS)

$55,150|$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

$41,000

Median Salary (PUMS | BLS)

$52,000|$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)

$54,145|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

$56,634

Median Salary (PUMS | BLS)

$55,000|$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

$33,320

Median Salary (PUMS | BLS)

$50,000|$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

$31,238

Median Salary (PUMS | BLS)

$47,195|$78,240

openings

18,600 /yr

Growth (10yr): +6.4%

Management occupations

2.2% of graduates map to this role

Growing

Entry Salary

$53,095

Median Salary (PUMS | BLS)

$80,000|$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

$33,981

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).

Program Variants & Earnings Ranges

Summary of specific program titles and credential levels mapped to this major, showing the range of earnings across different colleges.

Program Title	Credential Level	# Colleges	Median Earnings Range
No program variants found for this major.