Career Counselors on Upwork cost $19–$48/hr.

Learn about common cost factors to budget your hiring on the world's work marketplace.

Hire Career Counselors

Looking to find work instead?

Career Counselors average prices bell curve

$19 $48

Median hourly rates (USD)*

How much does a Career Counselor cost?

Explore what Career Counselors offer for different budgets.

You will get a practice interview & feedback to help you get your next job opportunity.

Career Counselor Pay Guide

How much do career counselors make?

Career counselors in the United States typically earn between $40,000 and $100,000 annually, depending on factors such as experience, education, and location. Their role involves helping individuals navigate career choices, set professional goals, and develop job-search strategies. Rates for career counselors vary, with hourly and annual pay depending on the counselor's expertise and the complexity of the services provided.

Annual salary

Career counselors can expect the following salary ranges based on their experience levels:

Beginner: $40K to $49K per year
Intermediate: $48K to $79K per year
Advanced: $78K to $100K+ per year

Hourly pay

Hourly rates for career counselors can vary depending on expertise and demand:

Beginner: $19 to $24 per hour
Intermediate: $24 to $38 per hour
Advanced: $37 to $48+ per hour

Career counseling rate factors

Career counseling rates can fluctuate based on several key factors:

Experience level. Counselors with extensive experience and a strong track record tend to command higher rates.
Specialization. Those with niche expertise, such as working with specific industries or executive-level professionals, may charge more.
Location. Rates can vary depending on whether the counselor works in a high-demand geographic area or online.
Education and certifications. Higher levels of education and certifications in career counseling or psychology can influence pay.
Clientele. Serving higher-income clients, corporations, or specialized fields can result in higher rates.

Example career counseling roles

Career counselors can take on different variations of the role based on the services they provide. Here are five examples:

School career counselor. Helps students identify their skills, set career goals, and choose educational paths to achieve those goals.
Corporate career coach. Works with employees in a company, focusing on career development, internal mobility, and leadership skills.
Freelance career counselor. Provides career advice to individuals or small groups, often online, and helps with job searches, resume building, and interview preparation.
Executive career coach. Specializes in assisting high-level professionals in career transitions, leadership development, and strategic career growth.
Job placement counselor. Focuses on helping individuals find job opportunities, working closely with employers and providing job-matching services.

Comparing full-time vs. freelance career counselors

Career counselors can work as full-time employees or as freelancers, with different benefits and challenges associated with each option.

Full-time career counselors

Here are seven considerations for hiring or working as a full-time career counselor:

Stable income. Full-time positions offer consistent pay and benefits.
Employee benefits. Health insurance, retirement plans, and paid time off are common.
Institutional resources. Full-time counselors often have access to in-house tools and databases for job placement.
Workload consistency. Clients and tasks are generally assigned, reducing the need for self-promotion.
Professional development. Full-time roles often include opportunities for continuing education and certifications.
Fixed schedule. The routine can provide a clear work-life balance, with set hours.
Limited flexibility. Full-time roles may offer less control over work hours and client choice.

Freelance career counselors

Freelance career counseling provides flexibility and autonomy, but also comes with its own considerations:

Flexibility in scheduling. Freelancers set their own hours, offering more control over their work-life balance.
Remote opportunities. Freelancers can work from anywhere, expanding their client base globally.
Income variability. Pay can fluctuate based on client demand and the number of contracts.
Self-marketing required. Freelancers must actively promote their services and secure their own clients.
No employee benefits. Freelancers typically need to handle their own insurance, retirement, and other benefits.
Client diversity. Freelancers often work with a broad range of clients from different industries and backgrounds.
Workload control. Freelancers can choose how many clients to take on, adjusting their workload accordingly.

Cost-effectiveness of hiring freelancers

Hiring freelance career counselors can be a cost-effective solution for many businesses and individuals. Here’s why:

Flexible service. Freelancers offer on-demand services, which means you only pay for what you need.
Specialized expertise. You can find freelancers with specific skills tailored to your career or industry.
No overhead costs. Since freelancers work remotely, there's no need for office space or additional resources.
Scalability. Freelance services can scale based on your workload, whether you need short-term help or long-term support.
Access to global talent. Freelancers can be located anywhere, giving you access to diverse professionals with different insights and experiences.

Hiring a freelance career counselor allows individuals and companies to gain high-quality advice and coaching at a more flexible cost.

FAQ

Here are some common questions about career counselors, tailored for those considering hiring them on Upwork:

What does a career counselor do?

Career counselors help individuals explore career options, set goals, and develop job search strategies. They assist with resume building, interview preparation, and sometimes provide job placement assistance.

How long does a typical session with a career counselor last?

Sessions typically last between 30 minutes to an hour, but the length can vary depending on the counselor and the client’s needs.

Can career counselors specialize in certain industries?

Yes, many career counselors focus on specific fields such as technology, healthcare, or executive coaching, tailoring their advice to industry-specific career paths.

What qualifications should I look for when hiring a career counselor?

Look for a career counselor with relevant certifications, experience in your industry or career stage, and strong communication skills. Degrees in psychology, human resources, or career counseling are often beneficial.

How do career counselors help with career transitions?

Career counselors guide individuals through career transitions by assessing transferable skills, exploring new career opportunities, and providing actionable job search strategies.

Hire career counselors on Upwork

Ready to find a skilled career counselor? Sign up for Upwork today and connect with experienced professionals who can help guide you or your employees toward successful career paths. Post a job and browse available career counselors now.

View less

Career Counselor Hiring Resources

Explore talent to hire

Get a job description template

4.9/5

clients rate Career Counselors based on 2K+ reviews