What it pays
Government survey numbers — not estimates, not ads.
Half of all Educational, Guidance, and Career Counselors and Advisors in the U.S. earn more than $64,330 a year — the middle 80% land between $45,020 and $104,770. About 353,310 people in the U.S. do this work. Figures are for the U.S. occupation group “Educational, Guidance, and Career Counselors and Advisors”. (U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics survey, published 2025.) In India, Professionals earn about ₹38,298 a month on average — around ₹4.6 lakh a year (government PLFS survey via ILOSTAT, occupation-family figure).
$64,330typical pay / year
353,310people in this work
$104,770+top 10% earn
₹4.6 lakha year in India (family avg)
Think you get this job?Six quick questions on how it really works — with a hint and the reason behind every answer.
Test yourself →The work, task by task
These are the real jobs-to-be-done, not a wish list. Each task shows where we found it, and the prompt underneath is written for that exact task.
Care1
Refer students to outside counseling services.
+Refer Jayden Lee to BrightPath Counseling: prepare a referral packet with his academic and attendance notes,…
Refer students to outside counseling services.
+Refer Jayden Lee to BrightPath Counseling: prepare a referral packet with his academic and attendance notes, parent consent signed yesterday, copy of his summary, and email the packet and a warm handoff note to intake by Friday.
The tools that do the workMicrosoft OutlookMicrosoft WordESCOjob descriptionsO*NET
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Keeping the record3
Plan, direct, and participate in recruitment and enrollment activities.
+Plan the spring open house recruitment: draft the outreach email to feeder preschools, create the enrollment…
Plan, direct, and participate in recruitment and enrollment activities.
+Plan the spring open house recruitment: draft the outreach email to feeder preschools, create the enrollment sign-up sheet and one-page program summary, schedule two evening info sessions, and assign Luis to manage follow-up calls next week.
The tools that do the workMicrosoft OutlookMicrosoft WordESCOO*NET
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Maintain accurate student records
+Bring student records up to date: enter last quarter's counseling notes, update emergency contacts for ten…
Maintain accurate student records
+Bring student records up to date: enter last quarter's counseling notes, update emergency contacts for ten students, reconcile attendance exceptions, and run a class roster check to deliver to the registrar by Wednesday morning.
The tools that do the workMicrosoft ExcelMicrosoft Wordjob descriptionsO*NET
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Collaborate with teachers and families on student goals
+Set a meeting with Ms. Ramirez, Mr. Chen and the families of Jose Martinez and Aisha Patel to review their…
Collaborate with teachers and families on student goals
+Set a meeting with Ms. Ramirez, Mr. Chen and the families of Jose Martinez and Aisha Patel to review their individualized goals, bring recent progress notes and the proposed action steps, agree responsibilities and record a three‑month follow‑up plan before the term ends.
The tools that do the workMicrosoft OutlookMicrosoft Wordjob descriptionsO*NET
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Analysing2
Provide crisis intervention for students
+Provide crisis intervention for Alyssa Perez now: contact her guardian, arrange an immediate safe meeting in…
Provide crisis intervention for students
+Provide crisis intervention for Alyssa Perez now: contact her guardian, arrange an immediate safe meeting in the counseling office, document observations and actions taken, notify the principal and schedule a follow-up within 24 hours.
The tools that do the workMicrosoft Outlookjob descriptionsO*NET
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Evaluate students' abilities and interests
+Assess each ninth and tenth grader on academic strengths, interests, and career aptitudes using their…
Evaluate students' abilities and interests
+Assess each ninth and tenth grader on academic strengths, interests, and career aptitudes using their transcripts, recent teacher comments, and two self‑report inventories, then write one‑page profiles with recommended pathways and resources by next Friday.
The tools that do the workMicrosoft ExcelMicrosoft Wordjob descriptionsO*NET
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The daily work14
Review transcripts to ensure that students meet graduation or college entrance requirements, and write letters of recommendation.
+Review Maya Hernandez and Jason Lee's transcripts against the district graduation and CSU/UC entrance A-G…
Review transcripts to ensure that students meet graduation or college entrance requirements, and write letters of recommendation.
+Review Maya Hernandez and Jason Lee's transcripts against the district graduation and CSU/UC entrance A-G checklist, flag any missing courses or credits, note GPA and completed lab sciences, then draft one-paged recommendation letters highlighting leadership and coursework for both students.
The tools that do the workMicrosoft WordMicrosoft ExcelO*NET
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Refer qualified counselees to employers or employment services for job placement.
+Identify senior counselees who meet employer skill needs, prepare referral summaries with work-ready…
Refer qualified counselees to employers or employment services for job placement.
+Identify senior counselees who meet employer skill needs, prepare referral summaries with work-ready strengths and contact info for Miguel Torres, Sara Patel, and two resumes, and send the referrals to GoodWorks Staffing and the school-to-work coordinator for placement follow-up.
The tools that do the workMicrosoft OutlookO*NET
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Attend meetings, educational conferences, and training workshops, and serve on committees.
+Block Thursday morning for the county counseling conference, confirm my presentation on FAFSA updates, print…
Attend meetings, educational conferences, and training workshops, and serve on committees.
+Block Thursday morning for the county counseling conference, confirm my presentation on FAFSA updates, print handouts for administrators, RSVP to the curriculum committee, and update the staff calendar with workshop and committee dates.
The tools that do the workMicrosoft OutlookMicrosoft WordO*NET
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Provide students with disabilities with assistive devices, supportive technology, and assistance accessing facilities, such as restrooms.
+Assess assistive tech needs for Elena Rivera and Jamal Owens, order two adaptive keyboards and a…
Provide students with disabilities with assistive devices, supportive technology, and assistance accessing facilities, such as restrooms.
+Assess assistive tech needs for Elena Rivera and Jamal Owens, order two adaptive keyboards and a screen-reader license, arrange accessible restroom keys and one-hour aide coverage during lab classes, and document accommodations in each student's plan.
The tools that do the workMicrosoft WordO*NET
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Supervise, train, and direct professional staff and interns.
+Hold a training with new interns on counseling intake protocols, delegate case shadowing to Kelly and Ramon,…
Supervise, train, and direct professional staff and interns.
+Hold a training with new interns on counseling intake protocols, delegate case shadowing to Kelly and Ramon, set performance goals for probationary counselors, and file signed supervision agreements in personnel records.
The tools that do the workMicrosoft WordMicrosoft SharePointO*NET
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Sponsor extracurricular activities, such as clubs, student organizations, and academic contests.
+Start the college club by reserving the library meeting room on Tuesdays, design a one-page flyer listing…
Sponsor extracurricular activities, such as clubs, student organizations, and academic contests.
+Start the college club by reserving the library meeting room on Tuesdays, design a one-page flyer listing meeting dates and guest speakers, recruit three junior volunteers to run sign-in and socials, and submit the completed activity registration form to the extracurricular coordinator by Friday.
The tools that do the workMicrosoft WordMicrosoft OutlookO*NET
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Monitor educational developments
+Scan recent policy briefs, state curriculum updates, and local district meeting notes from the past month,…
Monitor educational developments
+Scan recent policy briefs, state curriculum updates, and local district meeting notes from the past month, pull out changes that affect graduation requirements or funding, summarise implications for our grade 11–12 plans, and flag items needing parent meetings this term.
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Job market offers
+Gather current entry-level job postings for high school graduates in our county, compare required…
Job market offers
+Gather current entry-level job postings for high school graduates in our county, compare required qualifications and wages, create a one-page summary of three realistic pathways for our seniors, and attach links to employers willing to take work-experience students.
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Analyze data to identify factors affecting performance
+Pull last three years of assessment and attendance records for grades 9–12, analyse achievement gaps by…
Analyze data to identify factors affecting performance
+Pull last three years of assessment and attendance records for grades 9–12, analyse achievement gaps by subgroup and attendance, identify the top three factors most correlated with drops in performance, and draft a one-page summary with recommended interventions for the principal by Tuesday.
The tools that do the workMicrosoft Exceljob descriptions
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Report cases of neglect or abuse
+Prepare a mandatory report for child protective services: describe observed signs of neglect or abuse for…
Report cases of neglect or abuse
+Prepare a mandatory report for child protective services: describe observed signs of neglect or abuse for Jamal Rivera, include dates, quotes from conversations, actions taken at school, and my recommendation for immediate safeguarding, then send the report to the principal and social worker today.
The tools that do the workMicrosoft WordMicrosoft Outlookjob descriptions
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Help identify options for future careers
+Meet with Maria Ortiz next week, review her interests, strengths, and assessment scores, generate a ranked…
Help identify options for future careers
+Meet with Maria Ortiz next week, review her interests, strengths, and assessment scores, generate a ranked list of five realistic career pathways with required qualifications, entry-level steps and local training providers, and give her a one-page action plan to pursue the top option.
The tools that do the workGoogle DocsESCO
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Assist beneficiaries in the development of their curriculum
+Work with Aisha Khan to review her course history and goals, propose a two-year curriculum plan that fills…
Assist beneficiaries in the development of their curriculum
+Work with Aisha Khan to review her course history and goals, propose a two-year curriculum plan that fills prerequisites, balances rigor with her mental health needs, lists elective alternatives and college prep milestones, then share the plan with her parents before Friday.
The tools that do the workMicrosoft WordESCO
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Make suggestions for lifelong learning including study recommendations
+Assess Henry Lee’s learning profile and post‑secondary goals, recommend a lifelong learning pathway with…
Make suggestions for lifelong learning including study recommendations
+Assess Henry Lee’s learning profile and post‑secondary goals, recommend a lifelong learning pathway with short courses, credentialing options, and study routines tailored to his schedule, and give him a reading and course checklist for the next twelve months.
The tools that do the workGoogle DocsESCO
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Assist the individual in the search for a job
+Support Sofia Martinez’s job search: review her resume and work history, identify three suitable local entry…
Assist the individual in the search for a job
+Support Sofia Martinez’s job search: review her resume and work history, identify three suitable local entry roles, draft tailored cover letters for each, compile a list of five employers to contact and a follow‑up schedule, then email the package to her today.
The tools that do the workMicrosoft WordMicrosoft OutlookESCO
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Says who?
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The logs, files & records this job keeps
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Same family of work — each with its own tasks and prompts.
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Built on public evidence: O*NET®, ESCO, Wikipedia, U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, ILOSTAT. All sources & licenses
Built on public evidence: O*NET®, ESCO, Wikipedia, U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, ILOSTAT. All sources & licenses