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The differences between addictions counselor assistants and peer 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 $37,464 average annual salary of a peer counselor.
The top three skills for an addictions counselor assistant include patients, social work and substance abuse. The most important skills for a peer counselor are peer support, substance abuse, and wic program.
| Addictions Counselor Assistant | Peer Counselor | |
| Yearly salary | $46,799 | $37,464 |
| Hourly rate | $22.50 | $18.01 |
| Growth rate | 12% | 10% |
| Number of jobs | 86,506 | 76,608 |
| Job satisfaction | - | - |
| Most common degree | Bachelor's Degree, 57% | Bachelor's Degree, 61% |
| Average age | 43 | 42 |
| Years of experience | 12 | - |
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.
Typically working at schools, communities, or medical facilities, a peer counselor specializes in providing counseling to an individual or group of people, aiming to help them deal with and overcome crises. Their duties often include conducting initial assessments through interviews and appointments, listening to clients and offering advice, recommending opportunities, referring them to other support agencies, and coordinating treatment services as needed. Above all, a peer counselor must provide emotional support and guidance to clients, giving them comfort and a shoulder to lean on.
Addictions counselor assistants and peer counselors have different pay scales, as shown below.
| Addictions Counselor Assistant | Peer Counselor | |
| Average salary | $46,799 | $37,464 |
| Salary range | Between $34,000 And $64,000 | Between $24,000 And $57,000 |
| Highest paying City | Bellevue, WA | Hayward, CA |
| Highest paying state | Maryland | California |
| Best paying company | Chino Valley Unified School District | The Brooklyn Hospital Center |
| Best paying industry | Education | Education |
There are a few differences between an addictions counselor assistant and a peer counselor in terms of educational background:
| Addictions Counselor Assistant | Peer Counselor | |
| Most common degree | Bachelor's Degree, 57% | Bachelor's Degree, 61% |
| Most common major | Psychology | Psychology |
| Most common college | Northwestern University | University of Pennsylvania |
Here are the differences between addictions counselor assistants' and peer counselors' demographics:
| Addictions Counselor Assistant | Peer Counselor | |
| Average age | 43 | 42 |
| Gender ratio | Male, 31.6% Female, 68.4% | Male, 33.0% Female, 67.0% |
| Race ratio | Black 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, 10.6% Unknown, 3.8% Hispanic or Latino, 14.2% Asian, 3.7% White, 67.0% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.6% |
| LGBT Percentage | 11% | 11% |