Mid-Level

Placement Counselor

A Placement Counselor typically delivers placement-focused career counseling — helping clients identify roles, prepare for hiring, and connect with employers — usually in workforce, vocational rehabilitation, or college placement settings.

Career Level
Junior
Mid
Senior
Director
VP
Executive
Work Personality
E
C
S
I
A
R
Enterprisingleading, persuading
Conventionalorganizing, detail-oriented
Based on Holland Code framework
Job markets for Placement Counselors
Employment concentration · ~392 areas
Based on employment in related occupations
Mapped SOC categories:
BLS Occupational Employment Statistics
What it's like

What it's like to be a Placement Counselor

A typical day mixes individual counseling sessions, employer outreach, workshops, and case documentation. You'll often work with clients across stages — students, returning workers, or those facing barriers — and flex approaches accordingly. Pacing depends on program structure and labor market conditions.

The systems navigation can surprise newcomers — workforce funding, training programs, and employer partnerships all have their own rules. Coordination with employers, clients, and case management is constant. Outcomes reporting often shapes program decisions in ways that feel disconnected from individual cases.

People who thrive here typically have steady warmth, curiosity about labor markets, and comfort with varied client needs. Patience for slow career change and reliable follow-through usually matter more than prior coaching credentials.

RelationshipsAbove avg
SupportAbove avg
AchievementAbove avg
Working ConditionsModerate
RecognitionModerate
IndependenceModerate
O*NET Work Values survey
✦ Editorial — written by Truest from industry research and career patterns
Career Paths

Where this role sits in the broader career landscape — and where it can take you.

$239K$179K$119K$60K$0KLower paying387 metro areas, sorted by salary level
All experience levels1
This level's estimated range
INDUSTRIES PAYING ABOVE AVERAGE
1 BLS OEWS May 2024 covers all Placement Counselors (SOC 13-1071.00), not just this title · BEA RPP 2023
* Top salaries exceed this figure. BLS caps reported wages at ~$240K to protect individual privacy in high-earning roles.
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✦ Editorial — career progression and interview guidance based on industry patterns
The Broader Landscape

Roles like this one sit within a broader occupational category. The numbers below reflect that full landscape — helpful for context, but your specific experience will depend on level, specialty, and where you work.

$45K–$127K
Salary Range
10th – 90th percentile
917K
U.S. Employment
+6.2%
10yr Growth
82K
Annual Openings

How this category is changing

$74K$71K$68K$65K$62K201920202021202220232024$62K$74K
BLS OEWS May 2024 · BLS Employment Projections 2024–2034

Skills & Requirements

SpeakingReading ComprehensionActive ListeningWritingCritical ThinkingSocial PerceptivenessService OrientationActive LearningJudgment and Decision MakingComplex Problem Solving
O*NET OnLine · Bureau of Labor Statistics
13-1071.00

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Federal data: BLS Occupational Employment & Wage Statistics (May 2024) · BLS Employment Projections · O*NET OnLine
Truest editorial: Fit check, role profile, things that vary, advancement analysis, lateral moves, interview questions.