How the national numbers differ
1Mental Health Counselor has the edge on projected growth
Mental Health Counselor is at 18.4% projected growth, compared with -0.4% projected growth for Elementary School Teacher.
Typical preparation differs.
Elementary School Teacher: Bachelor's degree Mental Health Counselor: specialty-specific preparation that needs verification with programs and employers; the broader BLS occupation's education category is not a verified route for this specialty Preparation categories do not establish admission difficulty, calendar time, tuition, time without earnings, or licensing difficulty.
Elementary School Teacher has the edge on median pay
Elementary School Teacher is at $63,970, compared with $59,350 for Mental Health Counselor.
Elementary School Teacher has the edge on annual openings
Elementary School Teacher is at 87,500 annual openings, compared with 50,500 annual openings for Mental Health Counselor.
55/ 100Elementary School Teacher
vs
66.5/ 100Mental Health Counselor
Each available metric is ranked from 0 to 100 against the careers on ChooseField. The weighted average uses this profile: pay 30%, growth 25%, openings 30%, preparation level 15%. Missing values are not scored as zero; their weights are redistributed across available metrics. Occupation size has zero weight: employment is not accessible vacancies. Preparation categories do not measure admission difficulty or years without earnings. The score summarizes national measures; local opportunities and personal fit still need separate consideration.
Detailed evidence
Elementary School Teacher vs Mental Health Counselor
| Dimension | Elementary School Teacher | Mental Health Counselor |
|---|
| Median pay (2025) | $63,970 | $59,350 |
|---|
| Pay percentile | 55.3 percentile | 46.8 percentile |
|---|
| Projected growth (2025–2035) | -0.4% | 18.4% |
|---|
| Annual openings (2025–2035) | 87,500 | 50,500 |
|---|
| 2025 employment | 1,419,300 | 533,400 |
|---|
| How you qualify | Bachelor's degree | specialty-specific preparation that needs verification with programs and employers; the broader BLS occupation's education category is not a verified route for this specialty |
| O*NET preparation group | Job Zone 4 | Job Zone 5 |
| Related work experience | No prior related occupation is typically required; employer requirements vary. | Prior experience requirements need verification for this occupation. |
| On-the-job training | BLS does not list a separate on-the-job training requirement. Employers may still provide orientation and role-specific training. | Verify the specialty's training, licensing, and full preparation time with an accredited program or employer. |
The table reports national benchmarks and reviewed work descriptions. It does not rate personal suitability, job security, or physical safety.
