Job prospects Academic Counsellor in Ontario

Explore current and future job prospects for people working as an "academic counsellor" in Ontario or across Canada.

Job opportunities in Ontario

These outlooks were updated on November 29, 2023.

Prospects over the next 3 years

The employment outlook will be moderate for Educational counsellors (NOC 41320) in Ontario for the 2023-2025 period.

The following factors contributed to this outlook:

• Employment growth will lead to several new positions.
• Several positions will become available due to retirements.
• There are a small number of unemployed workers with recent experience in this occupation.

What Types of Employers Are Out There?

• Majority employed in educational services largely in elementary and secondary schools
  • Colleges and universities are also key employers

What are the Main Trends Affecting Employment?

• Demand strongly influenced by student registration
• Increase in enrolment in secondary schools
  • Educational counsellors are hired more in secondary schools than elementary schools; however, annual funding amounts and school board priorities may affect student-to-counsellor ratios and employment opportunities
• Postsecondary enrolment is exceeding pre-pandemic levels, and opportunities should arise as more people seek training in these institutions
  • International students are accounting for a growing share of student enrolment, which should support work for counsellors to assist with their transition

What Skills Do I Need to Succeed?

• In elementary and secondary schools, counsellors are required to be certified by the Ontario College of Teachers, in addition to having at least a bachelor’s degree

What Other Information Will I Find Helpful?

• There are indications that guidance counsellors are increasingly attending to students’ mental health concerns
• Work opportunities are usually less abundant in the summer months due to the slowdown in educational activities in this period.

Here are some key facts about Educational counsellors in Ontario:

• Approximately 5,650 people work in this occupation.
• Educational counsellors mainly work in the following sectors:
  • Elementary and secondary schools (NAICS 6111): 37%
  • Universities (NAICS 6113): 28%
  • Community colleges and C.E.G.E.P.s (NAICS 6112): 20%
  • Other schools and instruction (NAICS 6115-6117): 6%
• The distribution of full-time and part-time workers in this occupation is:
  • Full-time workers: 84% compared to 81% for all occupations
  • Part-time workers: 16% compared to 19% for all occupations
• 65% of educational counsellors work all year, while 35% work only part of the year, compared to 63% and 37% respectively among all occupations. Those who worked only part of the year did so for an average of 45 weeks compared to 43 weeks for all occupations.
• Less than 5% of educational counsellors are self-employed compared to an average of 15% for all occupations.
• The gender distribution of people in this occupation is:
  • Men: 23% compared to 52% for all occupations
  • Women: 77% compared to 48% for all occupations
• The educational attainment of workers in this occupation is:
  • no high school diploma: less than 5% compared to 9% for all occupations
  • high school diploma or equivalent: 9% compared to 25% for all occupations
  • apprenticeship or trades certificate or diploma: less than 5% compared to 8% for all occupations
  • college certificate or diploma or university certificate below bachelor's: 14% compared to 22% for all occupations
  • bachelor's degree: 44% compared to 24% for all occupations
  • university certificate, degree or diploma above bachelor level: 32% compared to 13% for all occupations

Breakdown by region

Explore job prospects in Ontario by economic region.

Source Labour Market Information | Prospects Methodology

Labour market conditions over the next 10 years

Explore current and future job prospects for people working as an "academic counsellor" in Ontario or across Canada.

Learn more