If you would like to help people improve mental, emotional, and personal well-being rather than providing physical health care services, then a social work profession may interest you.
The social work field provides countless opportunities for career growth without ever having to take anyone’s blood pressure, stick anyone with a needle, or prescribe medication.
1. Substance Abuse Counselor
Why Become a Substance Abuse Counselor?
As a substance abuse counselor, you will be able to help people restore their minds, body, and well-being.
You also can inspire them to improve their economic conditions after they adjust to living sober.
Make about $49,950 per year after about four years of school if you also acquire some on-the-job training or practical volunteer experience while in college.
The need for substance abuse counselors seems to continue.
Research experts predict a 22 percent outlook from 2020 to 2030.
| Substance Abuse Counselor Key Stats | |
|---|---|
| Avg. Salary / year | $53,490 |
| Avg. Pay / hour | $25.72 |
| Education | 4+ Years |
| Outlook | 22% |
Read the full career guide: How to Become a Substance Abuse Counselor
2. Life Coach
Why Become a Life Coach?
Become a life coach if you have achieved your personal growth goals and want to share how you transformed your life with others.
Your natural motivational abilities could generate about $44,910 per year for you.
What is more, this living wage may come to you after only about a year of practical experience and schooling.
You will not have to worry about finding a job in this field because career experts predict a 33 percent outlook for this profession until 2030.
| Life Coach Key Stats | |
|---|---|
| Avg. Salary / year | $50,550 |
| Education | 0-1 Year |
| Outlook | 33% |
Read the full career guide: How to Become a Life Coach
3. Social Worker
Why Become a Social Worker?
As a social worker, you would help individuals, families, and groups deal with difficult issues like poverty, abuse, and addiction.
If you also rose above difficult life circumstances, you could use that experience to apply empathy when motivating others to improve their socio-economic conditions.
This profession would provide you with about $61,750 per year within three to four years of starting college and seeking practical experience.
Expect an 8 percent outlook for this career until 2030.
| Social Worker Key Stats | |
|---|---|
| Avg. Salary / year | $63,010 |
| Avg. Pay / hour | $30.29 |
| Education | 3-4 Years |
| Outlook | 8.3% |
Read the full career guide: How to Become a Social Worker
4. Mental Health Counselor
Why Become a Mental Health Counselor?
The need for mental health counselors has produced a 22 percent career outlook from 2020 to 2030.
It does not necessarily mean that people have had more mental health issues in the past.
However, global awareness of the role of mental health in achieving developmental goals has increased from about 2007-present (as of 2022).
When working in this profession, you will probably have a better understanding of how to handle mental health issues than in past generations.
You would earn about $49,950 after about four years of school if you also seek practical experience while still learning.
| Mental Health Counselor Key Stats | |
|---|---|
| Avg. Salary / year | $53,490 |
| Avg. Pay / hour | $25.72 |
| Education | 4+ Years |
| Outlook | 22% |
Read the full career guide: How to Become a Mental Health Counselor
5. Family Counselor
Why Become a Family Counselor?
As a family counselor, you could provide the missing pieces to people who may not otherwise find a way out of their struggles.
You may guide them in both personal and vocational matters, and you will help them improve communication with one another and solve emotional or mental health issues.
In this role, earn about $54,590 a year, and you can expect a career outlook of 22 percent until 2030, which means you will have an excellent chance of finding a job in this field.
It requires about four years of school and some practical experience both before and after you graduate college.
| Family Counselor Key Stats | |
|---|---|
| Avg. Salary / year | $59,660 |
| Avg. Pay / hour | $28.69 |
| Education | 4+ Years |
| Outlook | 22% |
Read the full career guide: How to Become a Family Counselor
6. Marriage Counselor
Why Become a Marriage Counselor?
The best marriage counselors probably have improved a troubled relationship and achieved life transformations – or have learned from past relationships that have ended.
If either of these cases describes your experience, you could use your insight to inspire others.
Get paid about $54,590 after attending college for about four years if you also gain practical experience while still enrolled in classes.
Experts report a 22 percent job outlook from 2020-2030 for this profession.
| Marriage Counselor Key Stats | |
|---|---|
| Avg. Salary / year | $59,660 |
| Avg. Pay / hour | $28.69 |
| Education | 4+ Years |
| Outlook | 22% |
Read the full career guide: How to Become a Marriage Counselor
7. School Counselor
Why Become a School Counselor?
As a school counselor, you will contribute to your community by helping young people achieve their dreams.
You will also help the youth find their place in the world and become productive members of society.
Earn a yearly salary of $61,000 in this position after seeking practical, real-life training while also attending about four years of college.
You will see some need for this profession that has a 12.6 percent outlook projected until 2030.
| School Counselor Key Stats | |
|---|---|
| Avg. Salary / year | $63,090 |
| Avg. Pay / hour | $30.33 |
| Education | 4+ Years |
| Outlook | 12.6% |
Read the full career guide: How to Become a School Counselor
8. Probation Officer
Why Become a Probation Officer?
You might find relief in the fact that the projected need for probation officers only measures 3 percent from 2020 to 2030.
For now, the increased job outlooks (higher projected needs of other roles besides this one) concentrate on helping people before they become incarcerated.
However, you also can play a critical role in the criminal justice system by working with past offenders who have just made parole and are currently on probation.
If you believe you have any kind of experience or a “gift” and a “heart” for people who could use your inspiration, then become a parole officer.
Earn about $59,910 per year in this role.
| Probation Officer Key Stats | |
|---|---|
| Avg. Salary / year | $63,290 |
| Avg. Pay / hour | $30.43 |
| Education | 4+ Years |
| Outlook | 3% |
Read the full career guide: How to Become a Probation Officer
9. Psychologist
Why Become a Psychologist?
A psychologist studies how people think, feel and behave in both normal and abnormal situations.
After training, they counsel people who struggle with mental, perceptual, cognitive, emotional, and social issues that affect their relationships.
Advanced knowledge also enhances the counseling services, therapy, and assessment services that psychologists provide.
Use your time researching how the mind and emotions work to assist individuals, couples, families, and groups, and earn about $87,450 per year.
Career researchers predict a 14 percent outlook for this career from 2020 to 2030.
| Psychologist Key Stats | |
|---|---|
| Avg. Salary / year | $63,290 |
| Avg. Pay / hour | $30.43 |
| Education | 4+ Years |
| Outlook | 14% |
Read the full career guide: How to Become a Psychologist
