Licensed Clinical Social Worker+32% typical comp change · ~3.0y typical
75% of modeled moves out of Mental Health Counselor go here
Needs an MSW, two years of supervised clinical hours and the clinical licensing exam.
Modeled career paths · Mental health
Where does a Mental Health Counselor go next?
What employers are asking a Mental Health Counselor for, what they pay, and where people go next. From live postings and Startline’s modeled career map: what the ads say, never estimated.
What employers ask a Mental Health Counselor for
Live postings for this role in September 2026, most asked for first.
- Healthcare domain knowledge
- Clinical supervision hours
- Advanced degree
- Data engineering
Pay is what the ad states, never estimated. Only competencies in Startline’s catalogue are counted.
Typical advancement
Management path
Clinical Psychologist+68% typical comp change · ~3.0y typical
25% of modeled moves out of Mental Health Counselor go here
Needs a doctorate in psychology, a supervised internship and state licensure.
Clinical Director+126% typical comp change · ~6.0y typical
reachable via Licensed Clinical Social Worker. 15% joint modeled share
Higher-growth opportunity
VP Behavioral Health+223% typical comp change · ~6.0y typical
reachable via Clinical Psychologist. 6% joint modeled share
Career pivot
Social Worker (MSW)-2% typical comp change · ~7.0y typical
reachable via Licensed Clinical Social Worker. 5% joint modeled share
Needs a master's in social work.
Associate Veterinarian+66% typical comp change · ~7.0y typical
reachable via Licensed Clinical Social Worker. 5% joint modeled share
What this page cannot know is which of these fit you. That is what the free list is for.