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Academic counselor vs employment counselor

The differences between academic counselors and employment 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 $43,848 average annual salary of an employment counselor.

The top three skills for an academic counselor include financial aid, academic support and student services. The most important skills for an employment counselor are litigation, employment law, and HR.

Academic counselor vs employment counselor overview

Academic CounselorEmployment Counselor
Yearly salary$47,454$43,848
Hourly rate$22.81$21.08
Growth rate10%10%
Number of jobs39,08429,459
Job satisfaction--
Most common degreeBachelor's Degree, 66%Bachelor's Degree, 67%
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 employment counselor do?

The employment counselor is someone who guides and advises people on how to choose, manage and continue in a career path they've chosen. The employment counselor educates people on each career's pros and cons, giving them insights into what to expect, salary rates, and employment chances in a particular profession. The employment counselor will also show how to excel in a specific career, offer ideas on what training or seminar to attend and what skills to enhance to achieve an edge over others.

Academic counselor vs employment counselor salary

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

Academic CounselorEmployment Counselor
Average salary$47,454$43,848
Salary rangeBetween $35,000 And $63,000Between $26,000 And $71,000
Highest paying CitySan Francisco, CASan Francisco, CA
Highest paying stateVirginiaCalifornia
Best paying companyCalifornia College of the ArtsApple
Best paying industryNon ProfitsProfessional

Differences between academic counselor and employment counselor education

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

Academic CounselorEmployment Counselor
Most common degreeBachelor's Degree, 66%Bachelor's Degree, 67%
Most common majorBusinessPsychology
Most common collegeUniversity of PennsylvaniaUniversity of Pennsylvania

Academic counselor vs employment counselor demographics

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

Academic CounselorEmployment Counselor
Average age4242
Gender ratioMale, 35.4% Female, 64.6%Male, 37.1% Female, 62.9%
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 employment 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

Employment counselor example responsibilities.

  • Complete reports, manage client files and process WIA billing invoices for tuition and supplies.
  • Manage a caseload of Calworks participants in working towards the goal of self-sufficiency and employment.
  • Monitor caseworkers to ensure rehabilitation services are properly coordinate to aid clients in achieving self-sufficiency.
  • Source, develop, and implement HRIS systems.
  • Provide case management to TANF recipients that move clients to employment.
  • Document in accordance with JCAHO, Medicaid, and all quality improvement standards.
  • Show more

Academic counselor vs employment 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 employment counselor skills
  • Litigation, 16%
  • Employment Law, 14%
  • HR, 10%
  • Employment Litigation, 6%
  • FLSA, 5%
  • Training Programs, 4%

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