Alis – Career, learning and employment information for Albertans

Share

This website uses cookies to give you a better online experience. By using this website or closing this message, you are agreeing to our cookie policy. More information
Alberta
ALIS
Alberta Supports Contact Centre

Toll Free 1-877-644-9992

Guest Account Sign In Sign Up
Add this page to a custom guide
Career Development Professional: Occupations in Alberta - alis
Do you like meeting people and learning about their interests? Do you get excited by the idea of inspiring people to make education and career goals specific to them? Then becoming a career development professional may be the inspiration you are looking for.
Create a New Guide
Give your guide a nickname
Only you can see this nickname.
or cancel
Please complete the recaptcha and try again.
Choose a guide...

There was an error. Please try again.

This page is already listed in your guide. Please choose a different page to add.

Create New Guide What is an alis guide?
OCC info
Occupations in Alberta

Career Development Professional

Career development professionals advise, coach, inform, and support people as they navigate learning, job searching, and work transitions throughout their lifespans.

Contents Expand All
Also Known As

Career Advisor / Coach / Employment Consultant, Employment Support Worker, Job Developer, Work Development Officer

NOC Codes

In Canada, the federal government groups and organizes occupations based on a National Occupational Classification (NOC) system. This alis occupation may not reflect the entire NOC group it is part of. Data for the NOC group can apply across multiple occupations.

The NOC system is updated every 5 years to reflect changes in the labour market. Government forms and labour market data may group and refer to an occupation differently, depending on the system used.

Here is how this occupation has been classified over time.

2006 NOC

  • 4213: Employment Counsellors

2006 NOC-S

  • E213: Employment Counsellors

2011 NOC

  • 4156: Employment counsellors

2016 NOC

  • 4156: Employment counsellors

2021 NOC

  • 41321: Career development practitioners and career counsellors (except education)

2023 OaSIS

  • 41321.00: Career development practitioners and career counsellors (except education)
Duties
Updated Mar 31, 2025

Career development professionals work with clients of all ages and backgrounds. They help clients discover their preferred goals, and work with them to identify what steps they need to take towards achieving that. To this end they may support clients to:

  • Build self-awareness and labour market awareness
  • Select education and training programs
  • Balance work and other life roles
  • Navigate career transitions and stages
  • Enhance career satisfaction
  • Find employment or develop self-employment opportunities
  • Access community services that support personal and professional growth
  • Write resumes, develop portfolios, prepare for interviews, learn self-marketing techniques, navigate networking events, and pursue other work-search activities

Career development professionals work with clients individually or in groups. They help clients discover and appreciate their unique character traits, experience, education, and transferrable skills. They show them how to link those traits and skills to career choices.

To do this, career development professionals may use various assessment tools and narrative practices. This helps clients identify their:

  • Interests
  • Values
  • Beliefs
  • Lifestyle preferences
  • Aptitudes
  • Abilities

They may also:

  • Help clients relate these discoveries to the world of work, and then develop learning plans that deal with identified barriers, so they can achieve their career plans
  • Create, develop, and facilitate career management and career decision-making workshops
  • Help employed clients plan their next career move, cope successfully with job dissatisfaction and job loss, or make occupational or job changes
  • Help clients explore labour market information to support realistic employment or self-employment decisions
  • Market clients to potential employers and help clients find job or work experience placements
  • Plan and implement career and employment-related programs and services
  • Evaluate the impact of career- and employment-related programs and services on clients’ lives
  • Work with community groups and agencies, employers, training providers, businesses, and other organizations that provide career planning resources
  • Host job and volunteer fairs to connect clients with employers
  • Write reports and proposals, and research information on the internet
  • Perform administrative tasks such as keeping records

Career development professionals must adhere to the CDP Code of Ethics.

For information about school guidance counsellors and counsellors in post-secondary schools, see the Educational Counsellor occupational profile.

Working Conditions
Updated Mar 31, 2025
  • Strength Required Lift up to 5 kg

Career development professionals work in a variety of settings. However, they most often serve clients in offices where they can hold private interviews. They may also provide group sessions online or in classrooms or boardrooms. Depending on the role, they may do some evening and weekend work.

Work Personalities

In Alberta, this occupation is part of 1 or more 2023 National Occupational Classification (NOC) groups. If there are multiple related NOC groups, select a NOC heading to learn about each one.

How This Occupation Compares to Your Work Personalities

Fit
Fit Guide
An occupation can be a great, good, fair, weak, or poor fit for you.
S
Social
This occupation
You
I
Investigative
E
Enterprising
This occupation
You

To find out how well this occupation fits your work personality types, complete the Work Personalities Quiz in Find Your Fit.

This Occupation’s Work Personalities

Career development practitioners and career counsellors (except education)
2023 OaSIS: 41321.00

Click or tap a personality type for its description.

  • 1
    Social

    Social jobs are about helping and working with people. People in these jobs enjoy teaching, caring for others, or giving advice. They often work in schools, hospitals, or community centres. These jobs involve talking, listening, and supporting others. Examples include teachers, nurses, and counsellors.

  • 2
    Investigative

    Investigative jobs are about thinking deeply and solving problems. People in these jobs enjoy learning, asking questions, and doing research. They often study science, nature, or how things work. These jobs need a lot of thinking and often involve working with ideas instead of people. Examples include scientists, lab technicians, and researchers.

  • 3
    Enterprising

    Enterprising jobs are about leading, selling, or starting new projects. People in these jobs like to take charge, make decisions, and reach goals. They often work in business or politics. These jobs may involve some risk and require strong people skills. Examples include managers, salespeople, and entrepreneurs.

Find other alis occupations that match this occupation’s work personalities.

Your Work Personalities

To identify or change your work personalities, complete the Work Personalities Quiz in Find Your Fit.

Quick Guide

Alis work personalities are based on Holland’s theory. It identifies 6 personality types: Realistic, Investigative, Artistic, Social, Enterprising, and Conventional. People with similar personalities and interests will tend to pursue similar careers. They are likely to create work environments that are favourable to their type.

Most people will identify with 2 or 3 dominant personalities. If the occupation’s personalities match your more dominant types, this occupation is more likely to be satisfying and rewarding to you.

This Occupation’s Work Personalities lists the personalities most likely to be found in that occupation. They are listed in order of importance, with 1 as the most important.

Your Work Personalities shows where the occupation’s personalities rank within your test results. Rank 1 is your most dominant type and 6 is your least dominant.

Learn about work personalities

Abilities

In Alberta, this occupation is part of 1 or more 2023 National Occupational Classification (NOC) groups. If there are multiple related NOC groups, select a NOC heading to learn about each one.

Career development practitioners and career counsellors (except education)
2023 OaSIS: 41321.00

How This Occupation Compares to Your Abilities

The graph below shows how well your scores match the overall abilities for this occupation.

The closer your ability scores are to the center, the more they match this occupation’s. The further away they are, the less they match this occupation’s.

The lower your ability scores are compared to the occupation’s, the more challenging the occupation will likely be for you. The higher your ability scores are compared to the occupation’s, the less challenging the occupation will likely be for you.

lower
a match
higher
Typical ability expectations for this NOC group
Your abilities

To find out how well this occupation fits your abilities, complete the Abilities Quiz in Find Your Fit.

Abilities Sets

The 49 abilities are grouped into 5 abilities sets: Critical Thinking, Numbers and Patterns, Physical Activity, Mind-Body Coordination, and Senses.

Some abilities are more relevant to an occupation than other abilities. Individual abilities that are not relevant to an occupation are greyed out.

To fill in or change the values for your abilities, complete the Abilities Quiz in Find Your Fit.

Critical Thinking

Critical Thinking includes 9 abilities related to identifying and solving problems, thinking of ideas, and communication, such as speaking and writing.

This is how well your scores match the set of Critical Thinking abilities for this occupation:

lower
a match
higher
Typical ability expectations for this NOC group
Your abilities
Individual Abilities

Compare this occupation's score with yours for each ability in the set.

Inductive Reasoning
Verbal Ability
Information Ordering
Categorization Flexibility
Deductive Reasoning
Fluency of Ideas
Problem Identification
Written Comprehension
Written Expression

Numbers and Patterns

Numbers and Patterns includes 10 abilities related to math, memorizing, and multitasking. It also includes how we perceive patterns, shapes, and distances.

This is how well your scores match the set of Numbers and Patterns abilities for this occupation:

lower
a match
higher
Typical ability expectations for this NOC group
Your abilities
Individual Abilities

Compare this occupation's score with yours for each ability in the set.

Memorizing
Perceptual Speed
Pattern Organization Speed
Numerical Ability
Mathematical Reasoning
Multitasking
Pattern Identification
Spatial Orientation
Spatial Visualization
Selective Attention

Physical Activity

Physical Activity includes 9 abilities related to strength, balance, flexibility, coordination, and endurance. 

This is how well your scores match the set of Physical Activity abilities for this occupation:

lower
a match
higher
Typical ability expectations for this NOC group
Your abilities
Individual Abilities

Compare this occupation's score with yours for each ability in the set.

Stamina
Static Strength
Trunk Strength
Explosive Strength
Body Flexibility
Dynamic Strength
Gross Body Coordination
Gross Body Equilibrium
Multi-Limb Coordination

Mind-Body Coordination

Mind-Body Coordination includes 9 abilities related to movement control and how we react to signals. It also includes fine motor skills, such finger and hand dexterity and hand-eye coordination.

This is how well your scores match the set of Mind-Body Coordination abilities for this occupation:

lower
a match
higher
Typical ability expectations for this NOC group
Your abilities
Individual Abilities

Compare this occupation's score with yours for each ability in the set.

Finger-Hand-Wrist Motion
Rate Control
Arm-Hand Steadiness
Control of Settings
Finger Dexterity
Manual Dexterity
Multi-Signal Response
Reaction Time
Speed of Limb Movement

Senses

Senses includes 12 abilities related to seeing, hearing, and speaking. 

This is how well your scores match the set of Senses abilities for this occupation:

lower
a match
higher
Typical ability expectations for this NOC group
Your abilities
Individual Abilities

Compare this occupation's score with yours for each ability in the set.

Hearing Sensitivity
Speech Clarity
Peripheral Vision
Auditory Attention
Depth Perception
Far Vision
Glare Tolerance
Near Vision
Night Vision
Speech Recognition
Sound Localization
Colour Perception

Quick Guide

The abilities or aptitudes shown for this NOC group come from the Occupational and Skills Information System (OaSIS).

The abilities scores range from 1 to 5, with 5 being stronger.

Occupations use different combinations and levels of these abilities. The Abilities Quiz helps you learn more about your ability levels and which occupations match your strengths.

If you have completed the Abilities Quiz, you can compare the occupation’s ability expectations to your own ability scores. Your scores may be lower than, a match to, or higher than the occupation’s expected abilities.

Learn about abilities

Traits & Skills
Updated Mar 31, 2025

Career development professionals should work well under pressure, as many clients are in crisis, managing challenging situations, and need to find work quickly.

Career development professionals need:

  • A genuine interest in and respect for people from all walks of life
  • Patience, understanding, and the ability to listen without judgment
  • Communication skills (both written and verbal)
  • Objectivity, tact, and compassion
  • The ability to motivate and inspire clients
  • Presentation skills and the ability to support communication in groups
  • The ability to work with different clients’ learning styles
  • Organizing and planning skills
  • Research skills
  • The ability to gather and clarify complex information
  • Critical-thinking and problem-solving skills
  • Emotional stability, to deal with adverse situations
  • A sense of responsibility and professionalism

They should enjoy:

  • Consulting with people
  • Compiling information
  • Working with clients to develop innovative solutions to problems

In Alberta, this occupation is part of 1 or more 2016 National Occupational Classification (NOC) groups. If there are multiple related NOC groups, select a NOC heading to learn about each one.

Top 10 Skills Employers Are Looking For

Employment counsellors

2016 NOC: 4156

This chart shows which job skills are currently in highest demand for this occupational group. It was created using this occupation's 100 most recent Alberta job postings, collected between Sep 26, 2022 and Dec 17, 2025.

Review these skills to learn:

  • Whether or not this occupation matches your skill set
  • What training you may need to get these skills
  • What skills to highlight in your resumé, cover letter, and interview.
Computer and Technology Knowledge: MS Word
Tasks: Identify barriers to employment and assist clients with such matters as job readiness skills, job search strategies, writing résumés and preparing for job interviews
Client focus
Tasks: Interview clients to obtain employment history, educational background and career goals
Computer and Technology Knowledge: MS Outlook
Computer and Technology Knowledge: MS Excel
Effective interpersonal skills
Team player
Attention to detail
Tasks: Collect labour market information for clients regarding job openings, entry and skill requirements and other occupational information
Computer and Technology Knowledge: MS Word 91
Tasks: Identify barriers to employment and assist clients with such matters as job readiness skills, job search strategies, writing résumés and preparing for job interviews 89
Construction Specialization: Client focus 88
Tasks: Interview clients to obtain employment history, educational background and career goals 86
Computer and Technology Knowledge: MS Outlook 83
Computer and Technology Knowledge: MS Excel 82
Construction Specialization: Effective interpersonal skills 81
Construction Specialization: Team player 81
Attention to detail 81
Tasks: Collect labour market information for clients regarding job openings, entry and skill requirements and other occupational information 81
Educational Requirements
Updated Mar 31, 2025
  • Minimum Education Varies

Most career development professionals have post-secondary education in a related discipline. For example, they might have a degree or diploma in psychology, education, social work, or human resources. Increasingly, employers are seeking applicants who have a certificate, diploma, or degree in career development. They may also accept an equivalent combination of education and experience.

Post-secondary schools throughout Alberta offer psychology, education, social work, and human resources programs.

Related Education

The following schools offer programs or courses that are related to this occupation but are not required to enter the field.

University of Alberta
University of Calgary
Vancouver College of Counsellor Training

To expand or narrow your program options, visit Post-Secondary Programs and start your search with:

Completing a program does not guarantee entrance into an occupation. Before enrolling in an education program, prospective students should look into various sources for education options and employment possibilities. For example, contact associations and employers in this field.

On an ongoing basis, career development professionals must keep up to date with changes in educational, occupational, and labour market information.

Certification Requirements
Updated Mar 31, 2025
  • Certification Not regulated

Certification is not mandatory but may be an asset when seeking employment. The Career Development Association of Alberta grants the Certified Career Development Professional (CCDP) designation to applicants who meet requirements. These include educational, experiential, and ethical requirements. For more information on certification, go to careercertification.ca.

Employment & Advancement
Updated Mar 31, 2025

Career development professionals work for:

  • Provincial and federal government departments
  • Schools (public, separate, and post-secondary)
  • Human resources departments of large organizations
  • Private agencies
  • Not-for-profit organizations

Career development professionals may also be self-employed or work on a contract basis.

Advancement opportunities depend on the nature and size of the employing organization. Roles may include supervising other career development professionals, overseeing daily operations of an employment program, or managing a human resources department.

CDPs may move into professional leadership roles (for example, in professional associations). They may take on research roles or work in policy analysis and development roles with various levels of government. All opportunities are subject to the career development professional’s qualifications.

Industry Concentration

This section shows the industries where the majority of people in this occupation work. The data is based on the 2016 Census.

In Alberta, this occupation is part of 1 or more 2016 National Occupational Classification (NOC) groups.

Employment counsellors
2016 NOC: 4156

82.6% of people in this occupational group work in:

NOC groups often include several related occupations. Although there is labour market data for the larger NOC group, this occupation makes up only a part of that group. It means data for this occupation may be different than the data shown. For examples, see Note.

Look for Work

Think Industries and Sectors When Planning Your Career

Jobs and occupations are changing every day. It can be hard to know what the future of work looks like—but not impossible. Look at industries and sectors for possible inspiration, insights, and opportunities.
3-Year Job Market Forecast

This section shows the Alberta job market condition, or short-term demand forecast, for this occupation over a 3-year period. It also shows the number of people employed in the occupation.

In Alberta, this occupation is part of 1 or more 2021 National Occupational Classification (NOC) groups.

Career development practitioners and career counsellors (except education)
2021 NOC: 41321
Warm
Job Market
2,100
Employed in AB

Source: 2024-2026 Alberta Short-Term Employment Forecast

NOC groups often include several related occupations. Although there is labour market data for the larger NOC group, this occupation makes up only a part of that group. It means data for this occupation may be different than the data shown. For examples, see Note.

To see data for all occupations, visit Occupations in Demand.

5-Year Job Market Forecast

This section shows the employment outlook for this occupation in Alberta over a 5-year period.

Employment outlook is influenced by a wide variety of factors including:

  • Time of year (for seasonal jobs)
  • Location in Alberta
  • Employment turnover (when people leave existing positions)
  • Occupational growth (when new positions are created)
  • Size of the occupation
  • Trends and events that affect overall employment, especially in the industry or industries from the previous list
©
iStock.com/filadendron
OCCinfo

Employment Outlook

Employment outlook is influenced by a wide variety of factors. Learn how these factors can affect your career decisions.

In Alberta, this occupation is part of 1 or more 2016 National Occupational Classification (NOC) groups.

Employment counsellors
2016 NOC: 4156
2.4%
Annual Growth
(Average)
27
New Positions

Source: 2021-2025 Alberta Regional Occupational Demand Outlook

Annual growth is from 2021 to 2025. New positions created each year are in addition to job openings created by employment turnover.

NOC groups often include several related occupations. Although there is labour market data for the larger NOC group, this occupation makes up only a part of that group. It means data for this occupation may be different than the data shown. For examples, see Note.

Employment turnover is expected to increase as members of the baby boom generation retire over the next few years.

Related Alberta Job Postings
Wage & Salary
Updated Mar 31, 2025

Salaries for career development professionals vary depending on the organization and the individual’s qualifications.

In Alberta, this occupation is part of 1 or more 2021 National Occupational Classification (NOC) groups. If there are multiple related NOC groups, select a NOC heading to learn about each one.

Career development practitioners and career counsellors (except education)

2021 NOC: 41321
Average Wage
$34.95
Per Hour
Average Salary
$65,282.00
Per Year
Average Hours
35.9
Per Week
Average Months on Payroll
12
Survey Methodology Survey Analysis

Source
 2023 Alberta Wage and Salary Survey

NOC 41321 Wage Profile

Unless otherwise noted, the data shown here is for all industries and all regions in Alberta.

All wage estimates are hourly except where otherwise indicated. Wages and salaries do not include overtime hours, tips, benefits, profit shares, bonuses (unrelated to production), and other forms of compensation.

To see the full survey data for this NOC group, visit the wage profile.

Other wage sources
To make an informed wage and salary decision, research other wage sources to supplement this data.

A: High Reliability
Data Reliability Code Definition

High Reliability, represents a CV of less than or equal to 6.00% and 30 survey observations and/or represents 50% or more of all estimated employment for the occupation.

Hourly Wage

For full-time and part-time employees
  • Low
  • High
  • Average
  • Median
Starting
Overall
Top

Hourly Wage

For full-time and part-time employees
Wages* Low (5th percentile) High (95th percentile) Average Median
Starting $22.00 $36.65 $29.70 $25.36
Overall $24.00 $48.07 $34.95 $28.07
Top $27.24 $48.07 $37.52 $35.34

Swipe left and right to view all data. Scroll left and right to view all data.

* All wage estimates are hourly except where otherwise indicated. Wages and salaries do not include overtime hours, tips, benefits, profit shares, bonuses (unrelated to production) and other forms of compensation.

Pay brackets for hourly wages

  • Starting pay: average pay offered for entry-level positions
  • Overall pay: average pay across all employees in this occupation
  • Top pay: average pay offered to top-paid employees

Industry Information

ALL INDUSTRIES
Educational Services
Health Care & Social Assistance
Public Administration
ALL INDUSTRIES $65,282
Educational Services $45,968
Health Care & Social Assistance $50,944
Public Administration $86,148

Skills Shortage

Employers that Recruited in the Last 2 Years
88%
88%)
Recruiting Employers that Experienced Hiring Difficulties
50%
50%
Employers with Unfilled Vacancies of over 4 Months
5%
5%
Vacancy Rate
2%
Related High School Subjects
  • English Language Arts
  • Health, Recreation and Human Services
    • Human and Social Services
Related Post-Secondary Field of Study
  • Education and Library Studies
  • Humanities and Languages
  • Social Sciences, Law and Religious Studies
  • Social, Community and Protective Services
Other Sources of Information
Updated Mar 31, 2025

Career Development Association of Alberta (CDAA) website: www.careerdevelopment.ab.ca

Get information and referrals about career, education, and employment options from Alberta Supports.

Updated Mar 31, 2025. The information contained in this profile is current as of the dates shown. Salary, employment outlook, and educational program information may change without notice. It is advised that you confirm this information before making any career decisions.

Expand All
Was this page useful?
☆ ☆ ☆ ☆ ☆