SOC 2020 · 3224
Counsellors
Immigration Rules Appendix Skilled Occupations from
Skilled Worker
Not eligible
No Skilled Worker route through this code.
Salary floor
£41,700
The general threshold, £41,700, is the higher of the two.
Shortage lists
Not listed
This code is on neither the Immigration Salary List nor the Temporary Shortage List.
What this occupation actually pays
ONS Annual Survey of Hours and Earnings, full-time gross annual pay.
- UK pay for this occupation
View these figures as a table
| Percentile | Pay |
|---|---|
| 25th | £28,703 |
| 50th | £31,124 |
| Region | 10th | 25th | Median | 75th | 90th |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| UK 2025 | — | £28,703 | £31,124 | — | — |
| London 2025 | — | — | £31,610 | — | — |
| North East 2025 | — | — | £28,430 | — | — |
| North West 2025 | — | — | £34,279 | — | — |
| Scotland 2025 | — | — | £33,482 | — | — |
| South East 2025 | — |
Job titles in this code
What the work involves
Counsellors provide counselling services to clients with a wide variety of problems by means of assisting them to reach their own resolutions to the difficulties they face. Counsellors may specialise in a particular area or client group or address a wide range of issues.
Typical tasks
meets clients face-to-face, working either one-to-one or with couples or families, or by telephone or internet
encourages clients to discuss their feelings in relation to their problems, aiming to ensure that an understanding of the issues is achieved
presents different perspectives to the problem areas identified
refers to other appropriate sources of help
keeps accurate and confidential records
Entry routes and qualifications
There are no formal qualifications requirements for entry but relevant experience is necessary. Many employers will expect entrants to have achieved or be working towards accreditation with a professional body via certification or a diploma in counselling. Background checks including a DBS check are likely to be required for counsellors working with vulnerable adults and/or families.