Juvenile Court Counselor Career Overview

Without intervention, youth in the juvenile justice system often later find themselves involved in the adult justice system. 

In 2023, The Sentencing Project published a comprehensive report regarding the effects of youth incarceration on adulthood. The findings revealed that incarcerated youth were four times more likely to be incarcerated in adulthood than their peers. Incarcerated youth are also less likely to graduate high school or complete college and are more likely to be unemployed. Youth incarceration also correlates with a higher likelihood of premature death.

When a child enters the juvenile justice system, intervention is necessary on many levels—work that often falls to a juvenile court counselor. Earning a bachelor’s degree in criminal justice helps set aspiring juvenile court counselors on a path to making a difference in the lives of youth involved with the criminal justice system.

What Is a Juvenile Court Counselor?

Juvenile court counselors work with youth who are involved in the juvenile justice system. They help these young people address the issues that led to their involvement in the system and plan for a successful future.

These counselors work in various settings, including detention centers, group homes, and community-based programs, collaborating with probation officers, social workers, and others to develop plans to set youth on the best path. 

They may also work in schools and other educational settings, where they may work one-on-one with students. Juvenile court counselors also work with family support groups, providing resources to parents and caregivers whose children may be at risk.

The typical responsibilities of a juvenile court counselor include:

• Evaluating youth involved in the juvenile justice system

• Developing individual care and treatment plans for youth

• Conducting group and individual counseling sessions

• Working with others in the juvenile justice system to establish support systems for youth

• Intervening during potential crises and emergency situations

• Providing skill-building activities and support to youth

• Assisting caregivers of youth in setting their children on the best path

How to Become a Juvenile Court Counselor

Juvenile court counselors must have extensive knowledge of the juvenile justice system. To acquire this expertise, aspiring counselors need the right foundation of skills and education, such as a degree in criminal justice .

Experience and Education

Juvenile court counselors generally need at least a bachelor’s degree in criminal justice , psychology, or a related field. Some employers prefer that candidates have a master’s degree in counseling, social work, or a similar discipline. 

They also generally need at least two years of experience, which can include volunteering in group homes or detention centers.

Required Skills

The skills needed to become a juvenile court counselor include:

• Interpersonal Skills: Juvenile court counselors must be comfortable working with everyone who makes up a youth’s support system, including caregivers, teachers, probation workers, and social workers.

• Communication Skills: Counselors must be able to speak relatably with youth and use active listening to identify their clients’ needs.

• Empathy: Juvenile court counselors work closely with youth facing unique challenges, and they must be empathetic to clients’ emotional responses.

• Case Management Skills: Counselors must be able to manage multiple cases at once, addressing the needs of many different youth simultaneously.

Juvenile Court Counselor Career Outlook

The median annual salary for juvenile court counselors was about $42,550 as of September 2025, according to Payscale. Probation officers and correctional treatment specialists, including juvenile court counselors, are expected to have a 3% job growth between 2024 and 2034, according to the BLS. This equates to roughly 7,900 new openings each year on average. 

Becoming a juvenile court counselor can be a stepping stone to further careers in counseling or the juvenile justice system. One option is to become a social service manager for a nonprofit dedicated to serving youth involved with the juvenile justice system. The median annual salary for social and community service managers was $78,240 in 2024, according to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS), with positions expected to increase by 6% between 2024 and 2034.

Make a Difference as a Juvenile Court Counselor

Youth in the juvenile justice system are statistically more likely to face a future of incarceration than their peers outside the justice system. Juvenile court counselors act as an important support system to help set young people on a different path.

Learning the foundations of the criminal justice system is essential for juvenile court counselors. In the online Bachelor of Science in Criminal Justice (BSCJ) program at East Carolina University®, students learn about the principles of criminal law, challenges in the criminal justice system, and how to apply their knowledge to a real-world setting. 

This online program allows future criminal justice professionals to pursue a hands-on degree path on their own schedule. Graduates come away with the skills needed to help youth and create a more just society for everyone.

Begin a career helping youth succeed with ECU Online.

Recommended Readings

The Role of a Youth Correctional Officer

Probation Officer Salary and Job Description

Understanding Psychology in Criminal Justice

Sources:

National Association of Councils on Developmental Disabilities, Juvenile Counselor Overview

Payscale, Average Juvenile Court Counselor Salary

The Sentencing Project, “Why Youth Incarceration Fails: An Updated Review of the Evidence”

U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Probation Officers and Correctional Treatment Specialists

U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Social and Community Service Managers

U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Substance Abuse, Behavioral Disorder, and Mental Health Counselors