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College Counselor Jobs (NOW HIRING)

Hello College

College Counselor

Chicago, IL · Remote

$65K/yr

College Counselor About HelloCollege At HelloCollege, we help families navigate all aspects of college planning from start to acceptance. Our program consists of one-on-one virtual counseling ...

New

Great Hearts Academies

College Counselor

Irving, TX · On-site

College Counselor LOCATION: Great Hearts Irving Upper School REPORTS TO: Headmaster FLSA STATUS: Full-time/Exempt Company Description Great Hearts Academies is a nonprofit charter management ...

Great Hearts Academies

College Counselor

Irving, TX · On-site

College Counselor LOCATION: Great Hearts Irving Upper School REPORTS TO: Headmaster FLSA STATUS: Full-time/Exempt Company Description Great Hearts Academies is a nonprofit charter management ...

AJ Tutoring

College counselor

Menlo Park, CA · Hybrid

In this unique hybrid tutor and college counselor role, you would be working directly with students to support them with their academic coursework and with the college application process. Key ...

IDEAL School of Manhattan

College Counselor

Manhattan, NY · On-site

$70K - $90K/yr

College & Post-Secondary Counselor Reports to: Division Head Proposed Start: August 26, 2026 Employment Type: 10-Month Faculty; Full-time, Exempt Work Location: 5 Hanover Square, New York, NY 10004 ...

AJ Tutoring

College counselor

Menlo Park, CA · On-site

In this unique hybrid tutor and college counselor role, you would be working directly with students to support them with their academic coursework and with the college application process. Key ...

Uncommon Schools

College Counselor

New York, NY · On-site

$72K - $115K/yr

Skilled in using data to drive improvements in the college counseling process. * Strong digital literacy, including Microsoft Office, Word, Excel, Naviance, and PowerSchool. * Required Experience:

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College Counselor information

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$25K

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How much do college counselor jobs pay per year?

As of Aug 12, 2026, the average yearly pay for college counselor in the United States is $64,006.00, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $46,000.00 and $73,000.00 per year, depending on experience, location, and employer.

What is the difference between College Counselor vs School Counselor?

AspectCollege CounselorSchool Counselor
Required CredentialsBachelor's degree, often a master's in counseling or education; certifications vary by stateBachelor's degree, often a master's in school counseling; state certification required
Work EnvironmentHigh schools, colleges, private counseling centersElementary, middle, or high schools
Employer & Industry UsageEducational institutions, college admissions officesSchool districts, K-12 education systems
Common Search & Comparison IntentUnderstanding roles in college admissions and advisingSupporting student well-being and academic success

While both roles involve guiding students, College Counselors focus on college admissions and career planning, often working with high school or college students. School Counselors provide broader support, including academic advising, mental health, and social-emotional development across K-12 levels. The choice depends on the specific educational setting and student needs.

What is needed to become a college counselor?

To become a college counselor, individuals typically need a bachelor's degree in education, psychology, or a related field, along with experience working with students or in academic advising. Many roles also require a master's degree in school counseling or a related area and relevant certifications or licensure, depending on the region. Strong communication, interpersonal skills, and knowledge of college admission processes are essential for success in this role.

What do college counselors do?

A college counselor helps students figure out their goals and plans for higher education. Job duties include educating students about programs of study and scholarships, working with students to identify their goals, and recommending next steps for students to accomplish their educational and career plans. A college counselor may work for a high school to advise graduating seniors about their post-secondary options, or for a university to help students map out their course of study and future career paths.

What are the key skills and qualifications needed to thrive as a college counselor, and why are they important?

To thrive as a College Counselor, you need a solid understanding of college admissions processes, academic planning, and counseling theories, often supported by a master's degree in counseling or a related field. Familiarity with student information systems, college search databases (like Naviance), and standardized test platforms is typically required. Exceptional interpersonal skills, active listening, and cultural sensitivity help build trust and guide diverse students effectively. These competencies ensure that students receive personalized, informed support as they navigate critical academic and career decisions.

What are some common challenges college counselors face when supporting diverse student populations?

College Counselors often work with students from a wide variety of backgrounds, each with unique academic, financial, and personal needs. Navigating these differences requires cultural sensitivity, up-to-date knowledge of college admissions trends, and strong communication skills. Counselors must also address challenges such as limited resources, balancing caseloads, and ensuring all students receive personalized guidance. Building relationships and advocating for students are crucial to overcoming these obstacles and helping each individual achieve their educational goals.
More about College Counselor jobs
What cities are hiring for College Counselor jobs? Cities with the most College Counselor job openings:
What are the most commonly searched types of College Counselor jobs? The most popular types of College Counselor jobs are:
Who are the top companies hiring for College Counselor jobs? The top employers for College Counselor jobs are:
What states have the most College Counselor jobs? States with the most job openings for College Counselor jobs include:
What job categories do people searching College Counselor jobs look for? The top searched job categories for College Counselor jobs are:
What are popular job titles related to College Counselor jobs? For College Counselor jobs, the most frequently searched job titles are:
College Counselor jobs near you
Infographic showing various College Counselor job openings in the United States as of August 2026, with employment types broken down into 1% As Needed, 81% Full Time, 16% Part Time, 1% Temporary, and 1% Contract. Highlights an 95% Physical, 1% Hybrid, and 4% Remote job distribution, with an average salary of $64,006 per year, or $30.8 per hour.

College Counselor

Hello College

Chicago, IL • Remote

$65K/yr

Full-time

Medical, Dental, Vision, Retirement, PTO

Posted 2 days ago

New

Job description

College Counselor Job Description

About HelloCollege

At HelloCollege, we help families navigate all aspects of college planning from start to acceptance.  Our program consists of one-on-one virtual counseling sessions, interactive group workshops, online e-learning, and other educational resources.  Our goal is to help students get into their top-choice college, reduce the costs of college, and graduate on time with a job in their major.  Our role is to reduce the stress of students and parents by properly preparing and guiding students through college planning.


About the College Counselor Role

As a HelloCollege College Counselor, you will be responsible for guiding a caseload of students and families through the HelloCollege program. You will strive to ensure every student completes the program and accomplishes their college planning goals while also helping the company grow.  This is a mid-level position for an experienced professional. The College Counselor will report to the Director of Counseling.


What Success Looks Like 

  • Manage a caseload of up to 150 students according to HelloCollege program blueprint and counselor service level agreements including meeting cadence and support response times
  • Maintain expert knowledge of high school curricula, extracurricular and leadership choices, summer program applications, and standardized test planning to make recommendations regarding admissions strategies.
  • Maintain 95% healthy contact rating, 95% retention rate
  • Contribute to efforts to drive referrals, testimonials and online reviews
  • Conduct formal consulting sessions with students on a bi-monthly basis, chronicling and sharing with relevant stakeholders notes and action items
  • Maintain reasonable levels of communication with students and families outside of formal sessions through various channels (e.g. email, etc.)
  • Assists in overseeing partnerships with schools and organizations
  • Creates positive and lasting relationships with families
  • Diligently track all communication and keep client files updated in CRM
  • Facilitate and lead up to four online workshops/month based on your areas of subject matter expertise
  • Maintain knowledge of higher education and college planning trends
  • Actively participate in team meetings, knowledge sharing, shadowing and mentoring of other team members
  • Be an active leader in developing a positive company culture and promote company growth


What Skills And Experience Needed 

  • Master’s degree or College Counseling certification required
  • Experience with highly selective college counseling, college admissions, school counseling, or student advising is required
  • Highly knowledgeable about selective, highly selective, and ivy level US colleges and universities
  • Ability to connect with students and parents from diverse academic, ethnic/racial, and financial backgrounds
  • Excellent written and verbal communication skills
  • Demonstrated ability to work collaboratively and build relationships with diverse stakeholders
  • Strong case management skills: ability to juggle multiple priorities, attention to detail, and ability to prioritize tasks appropriately
  • Proficient technology skills (required) using Microsoft Office (Word, Excel, PowerPoint) & Google Drive (Docs, Sheets, Slides), and able to quickly learn how to use new programs/systems
  • Public speaking and event facilitation experience is expected




Additional Skills That Set You Apart

  • An outgoing personality with great energy and excellent virtual presence
  • A passion for helping students achieve better outcomes
  • Highly motivated and results-driven with a track record of meeting and exceeding goals
  • Experience working with students with learning differences
  • Average schedule is 12-8:30pm (CST)
  • Applicants in CST, MST, and PST time zones preferred
  • Workload varies by season, with busy season April-December
  • Salary range starting at $65,000


HelloCollege Benefits

  • Health/Dental/Vision
  • Employer Paid Short-term and long-term disability insurance 
  • 401k
  • Unlimited PTO
  • Dedicated professional development days to visit and research colleges
  • Coverage for professional memberships (ex. NACAC)
  • Bonus incentives for referrals, reviews
  • Opportunity to earn extra income by conducting college planning consultations with prospective families