14,000+ Licensed Mental Health Counselor jobs in United States (2024)

FAQs

Is there a shortage of counselors in the US? ›

Between the lines: Not only is there a shortage of school counselors, but various studies show a lack of Latino and Black school counselors in many districts. For example, only 11% of school counselors nationally are Latino compared to 28% of students in K-12 public schools, according to The Education Trust.

The average Licensed Mental Health Counselor salary in the United States is $74,605 as of July 29, 2024, but the salary range typically falls between $67,331 and $82,941.

Employment of school and career counselors and advisors is projected to grow 5 percent from 2022 to 2032, faster than the average for all occupations. About 26,600 openings for school and career counselors and advisors are projected each year, on average, over the decade.

We found that Arizona is the best state for mental health counselor jobs, whereas South Carolina is the worst.

Many places across the U.S. don't have enough mental health care professionals. In the U.S. 1 in 3 people lives in an area with a shortage of mental health workers. Low-income areas and communities of color are most affected. And it can be difficult to access care in rural areas and economically stressed cities.

Therapists are in the highest demand in southern California, southern Florida, and the Seattle metro area. There is also a high demand for therapists concentrated in the Northeast, with a much higher demand than population in rural New York and New Hampshire.

The states and districts that pay Mental Health Counselors the highest mean salary are New Jersey ($92,850), California ($81,720), New York ($79,700), Connecticut ($79,080), and District of Columbia ($72,990).

Where is the highest demand for mental health counselors? ›

The states of Massachusetts, Colorado, Alaska, Montana, and Washington, in particular, demonstrate a high need for qualified mental health professionals.

One of the psychology careers with the biggest growth is that of substance abuse counselor. According to the BLS, the demand for the specialty is expected to increase 18% between 2022 and 2032. That will result in 71,500 new jobs. Substance abuse counselors advise patients on issues related to depression.

In that case, states such as West Virginia, which has less restrictive education requirements, would be optimal. Or, if you'd like to complete fewer clinical work hours, the US territory of Puerto Rico may be considered an easy place to become a counselor due to its lower experiential requirements.

Therapists hold at least a master's degree, while some choose to obtain a doctorate. If a therapist chooses to advertise their practice as “psychotherapy,” then they must be licensed in the state in which they intend to practice.

Mental health organizations are understaffed. People are unable to access or afford mental health services. Counselors are overwhelmed with high caseloads, and many are leaving the field in search of better pay and work-life balance.

America's therapists are booked. Six in 10 psychologists say they don't have openings for new patients, according to a survey conducted by the American Psychological Association. The high demand for therapy is the latest sign of and ongoing U.S. mental health crisis exacerbated by the coronavirus pandemic.

From 2022 to 2032, employment for many mental health-related occupations is projected to grow faster than the 3-percent average for all occupations. Employment of substance abuse, behavioral disorder, and mental health counselors is projected to grow 18 percent over the period.

As of May 2023, the estimated number of employed clinical and counseling psychologists in the United States ranged from 60 professionals to 11,840 thousand by state. California registered the highest number of clinical psychologists, whereas Wyoming had the lowest.