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Academic counselor vs rehabilitation counselor

The differences between academic counselors and rehabilitation 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 $43,111 average annual salary of a rehabilitation counselor.

The top three skills for an academic counselor include financial aid, academic support and student services. The most important skills for a rehabilitation counselor are rehabilitation, social work, and mental health.

Academic counselor vs rehabilitation counselor overview

Academic CounselorRehabilitation Counselor
Yearly salary$47,454$43,111
Hourly rate$22.81$20.73
Growth rate10%11%
Number of jobs39,08477,220
Job satisfaction--
Most common degreeBachelor's Degree, 66%Bachelor's Degree, 59%
Average age4245
Years of experience-12

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 a rehabilitation counselor do?

Rehabilitation counselors are professional counselors who are responsible for helping individuals cope with their disabilities to live independently. These counselors are required to consult other professionals, family members, and individuals when developing a treatment plan based on the goals, strengths, limitations, and personal values of their clients. They must make connections with community support so that individuals with disabilities can avail of the types of services that are available. Rehabilitation counselors must also find employers and educate them in understanding the needs and abilities of disabled people.

Academic counselor vs rehabilitation counselor salary

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

Academic CounselorRehabilitation Counselor
Average salary$47,454$43,111
Salary rangeBetween $35,000 And $63,000Between $31,000 And $58,000
Highest paying CitySan Francisco, CACleveland, OH
Highest paying stateVirginiaOhio
Best paying companyCalifornia College of the ArtsNorth Shore Healthcare
Best paying industryNon ProfitsGovernment

Differences between academic counselor and rehabilitation counselor education

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

Academic CounselorRehabilitation Counselor
Most common degreeBachelor's Degree, 66%Bachelor's Degree, 59%
Most common majorBusinessPsychology
Most common collegeUniversity of PennsylvaniaUniversity of Washington

Academic counselor vs rehabilitation counselor demographics

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

Academic CounselorRehabilitation Counselor
Average age4245
Gender ratioMale, 35.4% Female, 64.6%Male, 33.9% Female, 66.1%
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, 13.7% Unknown, 4.6% Hispanic or Latino, 10.8% Asian, 2.9% White, 66.4% American Indian and Alaska Native, 1.7%
LGBT Percentage11%21%

Differences between academic counselor and rehabilitation 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

Rehabilitation counselor example responsibilities.

  • Collaborate with institutions of higher learning and local organizations to help assign veterans achieve independent living and academic success.
  • Develop and manage multidisciplinary rehabilitation center.
  • Organize and implement individualized rehabilitation programs.
  • Supervise CRC and LMHC students for practicum and internships at site.
  • Provide individualized counseling to psychiatric patients, resulting in their social development.
  • Interview, evaluate interests/aptitudes and transferable skills in order to optimize occupational exploration and customize formal training programs.
  • Show more

Academic counselor vs rehabilitation 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 rehabilitation counselor skills
  • Rehabilitation, 23%
  • Social Work, 12%
  • Mental Health, 12%
  • Patients, 6%
  • Management System, 4%
  • Vocational Rehabilitation, 4%

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