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Addictions counselor assistant vs counselor

The differences between addictions counselor assistants and counselors can be seen in a few details. Each job has different responsibilities and duties. Additionally, an addictions counselor assistant has an average salary of $46,799, which is higher than the $36,225 average annual salary of a counselor.

The top three skills for an addictions counselor assistant include patients, social work and substance abuse. The most important skills for a counselor are patients, crisis intervention, and substance abuse.

Addictions counselor assistant vs counselor overview

Addictions Counselor AssistantCounselor
Yearly salary$46,799$36,225
Hourly rate$22.50$17.42
Growth rate12%10%
Number of jobs86,50677,536
Job satisfaction-2
Most common degreeBachelor's Degree, 57%Bachelor's Degree, 59%
Average age4344
Years of experience12-

What does an addictions counselor assistant do?

An addictions counselor assistant works with a head counselor to provide support to patients suffering from addiction. They deal with the clerical and administrative side of running a counseling firm. This includes managing data, maintaining confidentiality of patient information, monitoring adherence to government regulations, and assisting with patients' treatment.

What does a counselor do?

Often, counselors are known to be the go-to person in times we are in need of emotional and psychological support. They help people to manage and overcome the issues which affect their mental health and well-being. Counselors face different kind of situations which may involve trauma, addiction, disabilities, abuse, suicide, anger management, career, and even personal relationships. They provide care, counseling, rehabilitation, and support services. Every counseling requires collaborative effort both from the counselor and client to become effective.

Addictions counselor assistant vs counselor salary

Addictions counselor assistants and counselors have different pay scales, as shown below.

Addictions Counselor AssistantCounselor
Average salary$46,799$36,225
Salary rangeBetween $34,000 And $64,000Between $19,000 And $67,000
Highest paying CityBellevue, WA-
Highest paying stateMarylandCalifornia
Best paying companyChino Valley Unified School District-
Best paying industryEducationEducation

Differences between addictions counselor assistant and counselor education

There are a few differences between an addictions counselor assistant and a counselor in terms of educational background:

Addictions Counselor AssistantCounselor
Most common degreeBachelor's Degree, 57%Bachelor's Degree, 59%
Most common majorPsychologyPsychology
Most common collegeNorthwestern UniversityUniversity of Pennsylvania

Addictions counselor assistant vs counselor demographics

Here are the differences between addictions counselor assistants' and counselors' demographics:

Addictions Counselor AssistantCounselor
Average age4344
Gender ratioMale, 31.6% Female, 68.4%Male, 38.5% Female, 61.5%
Race ratioBlack or African American, 12.8% Unknown, 5.2% Hispanic or Latino, 18.5% Asian, 7.1% White, 54.2% American Indian and Alaska Native, 2.2%Black or African American, 15.6% Unknown, 5.1% Hispanic or Latino, 11.1% Asian, 3.5% White, 63.5% American Indian and Alaska Native, 1.2%
LGBT Percentage11%9%

Differences between addictions counselor assistant and counselor duties and responsibilities

Addictions counselor assistant example responsibilities.

  • Certify in CPR and CPI.
  • Med certiffy, CPR certify.
  • Work on PowerPoint presentations, and coordinate the presentations with board activity.
  • Maintain strict confidentially of client information in accordance with HIPPA and PII policy.
  • Maintain data entry of office and patient records, while maintaining HIPPA compliance and patient confidentiality.
  • Conduct in-person assessments to employees formally refer to the employee assistance program (EAP) and formulate treatment goals and plans.
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Counselor example responsibilities.

  • Maintain a safe program through ongoing CPI training.
  • Utilize de-escalation skills (CPI) when necessary.
  • Instill confidence, improve all components of writing and reading, and study strategies.
  • Arrange ESL tutoring and perform as liaison between students, parents, and school administrators.
  • Advise students into their major field of study, and assisting them with choosing the correct curriculum.
  • Operate a full service litigation office that evolve from general litigation to criminal litigation to federal criminal trials.
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Addictions counselor assistant vs counselor skills

Common addictions counselor assistant skills
  • Patients, 24%
  • Social Work, 11%
  • Substance Abuse, 9%
  • Crisis Intervention, 8%
  • Chemical Dependency, 4%
  • PowerPoint, 4%
Common counselor skills
  • Patients, 13%
  • Crisis Intervention, 12%
  • Substance Abuse, 12%
  • Social Work, 10%
  • Community Resources, 4%
  • CPR, 4%

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