Mental Health Counselors
SOC Code: 21-1014 Job Zone 5: Extensive Preparation Needed
Counsel and advise individuals and groups to promote optimum mental and emotional health, with an emphasis on prevention. May help individuals deal with a broad range of mental health issues, such as those associated with addictions and substance abuse; family, parenting, and marital problems; stress management; self-esteem; or aging.
Advertisement
Prevailing Wage Levels (National)
DOL/OFLC prevailing wage thresholds for Mental Health Counselors. Hourly rates x 2,080 = annual.
FY2027 Weighted Lottery Impact
| Level | Lottery Entries | Est. Selection Rate |
|---|---|---|
| Level I (Entry) | 1 entry | ~16% |
| Level II (Qualified) | 2 entries | ~31% |
| Level III (Experienced) | 3 entries | ~45% |
| Level IV (Expert) | 4 entries | ~61% |
Prevailing Wages by Metro Area
| Metro Area | Level I | Level II | Level III | Level IV |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Austin-Round Rock-San Marcos, TX | $43,181 | $65,645 | $88,109 | $110,573 |
| Fairbanks-College, AK | $55,598 | $72,883 | $90,168 | $107,453 |
| Anchorage, AK | $59,904 | $75,338 | $90,792 | $106,226 |
| Boulder, CO | $49,712 | $67,434 | $85,155 | $102,877 |
| Kahului-Wailuku, HI | $51,709 | $68,619 | $85,509 | $102,419 |
| Ogden, UT | $43,576 | $62,858 | $82,118 | $101,400 |
| San Francisco-Oakland-Fremont, CA | $49,130 | $66,061 | $82,971 | $99,902 |
| Vallejo, CA | $47,195 | $64,750 | $82,326 | $99,882 |
| Alaska nonmetropolitan area | $57,096 | $70,242 | $83,387 | $96,533 |
| Ames, IA | $45,240 | $62,317 | $79,373 | $96,450 |
H-1B Filing Data
Top H-1B Employers
| Employer | Filings | Avg Wage |
|---|---|---|
| GANDARA Mental HEALTH CENTER Inc | 138 | $54,673 |
| SEA MAR COMMUNITY HEALTH CENTERS | 73 | $68,953 |
| Holocene Acquisition II LLC | 27 | $82,926 |
| THE ASIAN AMERICANS FOR COMMUNITY INVOLVEMENT OF SANTA CLARA COUNTY, I | 20 | $89,428 |
| Wayside Youth & Family Support Network, Inc. | 20 | $67,970 |
| Eliot Community Human Services, Inc. | 16 | $73,838 |
| Purdue University | 14 | $77,290 |
| Mind & Body Garden, A Psychological Corporation | 13 | $66,175 |
| North Suffolk Community Services, Inc. | 13 | $69,110 |
| RICHMOND AREA MULTI-SERVICES, INC. | 13 | $75,359 |
Filing Trend
| Year | Filings | Avg Wage |
|---|---|---|
| 2020 | 29 | $60,141 |
| 2021 | 61 | $56,966 |
| 2022 | 91 | $58,663 |
| 2023 | 172 | $63,747 |
| 2024 | 385 | $67,502 |
| 2025 | 590 | $69,459 |
| 2026 | 73 | $80,106 |
Key Skills
| Skill | Importance | Level |
|---|---|---|
| Active Listening | 5.0 | |
| Social Perceptiveness | 5.0 | |
| Speaking | 4.2 | |
| Writing | 4.1 | |
| Reading Comprehension | 4.1 | |
| Judgment and Decision Making | 4.0 | |
| Critical Thinking | 4.0 | |
| Service Orientation | 3.9 | |
| Monitoring | 3.8 | |
| Complex Problem Solving | 3.8 |
Knowledge Areas
| Knowledge | Importance |
|---|---|
| Therapy and Counseling | 5.0 |
| Psychology | 5.0 |
| Customer and Personal Service | 4.5 |
| English Language | 4.3 |
| Sociology and Anthropology | 4.2 |
| Education and Training | 3.8 |
| Administrative | 3.6 |
| Telecommunications | 3.1 |
Education Requirements
| Education Level | % of Workers |
|---|---|
| Doctoral degree | 89.3% |
| Post-doctoral training | 7.1% |
| First professional degree (MD, JD) | 3.6% |
Typical Tasks
- Maintain confidentiality of records relating to clients' treatment.
- Encourage clients to express their feelings and discuss what is happening in their lives, helping them to develop insight into themselves or their relationships.
- Guide clients in the development of skills or strategies for dealing with their problems.
- Prepare and maintain all required treatment records and reports.
- Counsel clients or patients, individually or in group sessions, to assist in overcoming dependencies, adjusting to life, or making changes.
- Collect information about clients through interviews, observation, or tests.
- Act as client advocates to coordinate required services or to resolve emergency problems in crisis situations.
- Develop and implement treatment plans based on clinical experience and knowledge.
Technology Skills
Green = Hot Technology in demand
Microsoft Access Microsoft Excel Microsoft Office software Microsoft Outlook Microsoft PowerPoint Microsoft Word Oracle PeopleSoft Client information database systems Database software Email software Google Classroom Management information systems MIS Microsoft Dynamics Microsoft Internet Explorer Netscape Navigator
Calculate your wage level for Mental Health Counselors →
Advertisement
Looking for an H-1B immigration attorney?
Find experienced immigration lawyers in our attorney directory.