Mental Health Job Demand Expected to Surge Amid Growing Need for Services
As the need for mental health care continues to rise across the United States, a substantial increase in service providers is anticipated. New data from the US Bureau of Labor Statistics, analyzed by CNN, indicates that employment growth in the mental health sector—including roles such as psychiatrists, psychologists, therapists, counselors, psychiatric aides, and social workers—is predicted to triple the projections for the average US job.
Specifically, employment for mental health counselors, which encompasses substance abuse and behavioral disorder counselors, is expected to increase by 19%, climbing from approximately 450,000 workers in 2023 to 534,000 by 2033. This growth positions these roles among the top 20 fastest-growing occupations in the US, as these counselors assist individuals seeking support for various issues, including anxiety, addiction, and stress.
Furthermore, marriage and family therapists are also projected to see significant growth, with job opportunities expected to rise by 16% by 2033. Additionally, the group labeled “counselors, all other,” which encompasses roles such as sexual assault counselors and grief counselors, is forecasted to grow by 14% in the same time frame.
Factors Driving the Growth in Demand
According to Traci Cipriano, a clinical psychologist and assistant clinical professor at Yale School of Medicine, two key factors are contributing to the increased demand for mental health services. She identified a reduction in stigma around seeking treatment and heightened uncertainty in people’s lives—stemming from political divisiveness, economic instability, gun violence, and climate concerns—as significant pressures on Americans.
“All of these things feel threatening to a certain degree, but each one of us as an individual really has very little control over them,” Cipriano remarked. “Stress itself can be managed through mental health treatment, but if you don’t manage it, it can lead to depression and anxiety.”
In the coming decade, a growing number of Americans are also expected to seek alternative methods for managing stress. CNN’s analysis indicates that holistic workers—including acupuncturists, fitness trainers, and massage therapists—are estimated to experience job growth that outpaces standard trends.
The demand for massage therapists, in particular, is forecasted to increase by nearly 18% by 2033, resulting in the addition of almost 23,000 jobs annually. A 2023 survey conducted by the American Massage Therapy Association found that over half of clients cited relaxation or stress relief as their primary motivation for receiving massages.
The projected rise in mental health employment underscores what many experts describe as a critical shortage in the workforce amid an ongoing health emergency. A survey indicated that 90% of adults believe there is a mental health crisis in the United States, with young people reporting a decline in well-being during and after the pandemic.
Despite the rising number of adults seeking treatment, many individuals grappling with mental health challenges still lack support. Approximately 122 million Americans live in areas where access to mental health professionals is limited, according to a 2021 analysis by USA Facts. Rural regions are particularly affected, with Wyoming and Utah having the highest proportions of individuals without access to mental health care.
“We’re experiencing a shortage of mental health professionals,” Cipriano stated. “People can’t get in and access the treatment they need, so it makes sense there would be a need for job growth.”
The US Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) compiles employment projection data for over 1,100 occupational groups, which may include multiple professions. For clarity, CNN focused its analysis on specific roles within the mental health category, such as psychiatrists, psychologists, therapists, counselors, psychiatric aides, and social workers.
To define the mental health workforce clearly, CNN’s analysis included various employment categories, such as Substance abuse, behavioral disorder, and mental health counselors (21-1018), counselors, all other (21-1019), marriage and family therapists (21-1013), and psychologists (various codes). In addition, holistic roles like massage therapists (31-9011) and fitness trainers (39-9031) were also reviewed.
This analysis sheds light on employment trends within a critical sector, aiming to address the continued rise in demand for mental health services across the country.
