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Academic counselor vs education counselor

The differences between academic counselors and education counselors can be seen in a few details. Each job has different responsibilities and duties. Additionally, an academic counselor has an average salary of $47,454, which is higher than the $45,465 average annual salary of an education counselor.

The top three skills for an academic counselor include financial aid, academic support and student services. The most important skills for an education counselor are mental health, crisis intervention, and financial aid.

Academic counselor vs education counselor overview

Academic CounselorEducation Counselor
Yearly salary$47,454$45,465
Hourly rate$22.81$21.86
Growth rate10%10%
Number of jobs39,08440,323
Job satisfaction--
Most common degreeBachelor's Degree, 66%Bachelor's Degree, 63%
Average age4242
Years of experience--

What does an academic counselor do?

In high schools and universities, an academic counselor specializes in providing counseling and consultations to students, focusing on their educational and career growth. They typically meet with students to discuss their short and long term goals and help by providing them with insights and information or referring them to other services and resources. Moreover, an academic counselor must assist students by addressing their issues and concerns, giving them emotional support and academic advice, and helping them navigate through various procedures.

What does an education counselor do?

The work of education counselors revolves around giving students advice about their course choice, career structuring, and supporting them in their school endeavors. They must have the empathy to help students adjust to their everyday struggles and personal conflicts. They often give students information about scholarship grants and help them apply. They organize seminars talking about alcohol consumption and smoking. Counselors also discuss strategies to improve school performance regarding overall counseling services.

Academic counselor vs education counselor salary

Academic counselors and education counselors have different pay scales, as shown below.

Academic CounselorEducation Counselor
Average salary$47,454$45,465
Salary rangeBetween $35,000 And $63,000Between $33,000 And $61,000
Highest paying CitySan Francisco, CASan Francisco, CA
Highest paying stateVirginiaCalifornia
Best paying companyCalifornia College of the ArtsSilicon Valley International School
Best paying industryNon ProfitsEducation

Differences between academic counselor and education counselor education

There are a few differences between an academic counselor and an education counselor in terms of educational background:

Academic CounselorEducation Counselor
Most common degreeBachelor's Degree, 66%Bachelor's Degree, 63%
Most common majorBusinessPsychology
Most common collegeUniversity of PennsylvaniaUniversity of Pennsylvania

Academic counselor vs education counselor demographics

Here are the differences between academic counselors' and education counselors' demographics:

Academic CounselorEducation Counselor
Average age4242
Gender ratioMale, 35.4% Female, 64.6%Male, 33.3% Female, 66.7%
Race ratioBlack or African American, 10.6% Unknown, 3.8% Hispanic or Latino, 14.2% Asian, 3.7% White, 67.0% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.6%Black or African American, 10.6% Unknown, 3.8% Hispanic or Latino, 14.2% Asian, 3.7% White, 67.0% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.6%
LGBT Percentage11%11%

Differences between academic counselor and education counselor duties and responsibilities

Academic counselor example responsibilities.

  • Utilize Salesforce to manage advertising programs for business owners.
  • Remain non-denominational, open, flexible and ecumenical in service to patients while also providing additional resources from local spiritual communities.
  • Test PeopleSoft upgrades and provide suggestions.
  • Tutor introductory biology, chemistry, psychology and remedial mathematics.
  • Guide older students in navigating PeopleSoft application to access portal for online registrations.
  • Navigate the college process through the CUNY, SUNY, and common application.
  • Show more

Education counselor example responsibilities.

  • Provide consultation and in-service to teachers, administrators and parents regarding IEP's, guidance and counseling practices and programs.
  • Collaborate as member of IEP teams, with school and district representatives and families, to identify specific student needs areas.
  • Work towards empowering juveniles and their families to support a positive lifestyle by providing strength base intensive intervention and rehabilitation services.
  • Participate in special education meetings as administrator, coordinate state testing and assist with RTI identifications.
  • Facilitate RTI process on caseload through identification, implementation, and through monitoring progress for further referrals for at-risk students.
  • Ensure client safety and provide necessary intervention toward adolescent teens admit into an inpatient drug and mental health treatment facility.

Academic counselor vs education counselor skills

Common academic counselor skills
  • Financial Aid, 9%
  • Academic Support, 8%
  • Student Services, 8%
  • Professional Development, 6%
  • Student Athletes, 5%
  • Academic Advisement, 5%
Common education counselor skills
  • Mental Health, 11%
  • Crisis Intervention, 10%
  • Financial Aid, 6%
  • Behavioral Problems, 6%
  • Applied Behavior Analysis, 5%
  • Educational Programs, 5%

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