Addictions counselor vs children's counselor

The differences between addictions counselors and children's counselors can be seen in a few details. Each job has different responsibilities and duties. While it typically takes 4-6 years to become an addictions counselor, becoming a children's counselor takes usually requires 2-4 years. Additionally, an addictions counselor has an average salary of $47,226, which is higher than the $38,024 average annual salary of a children's counselor.

The top three skills for an addictions counselor include patients, social work and chemical dependency. The most important skills for a children's counselor are child care, social work, and mental health.

Addictions counselor vs children's counselor overview

	Addictions Counselor	Children's Counselor
Yearly salary	$47,226	$38,024
Hourly rate	$22.70	$18.28
Growth rate	12%	9%
Number of jobs	79,459	39,726
Job satisfaction	-	-
Most common degree	Bachelor's Degree, 53%	Bachelor's Degree, 61%
Average age	39	42
Years of experience	6	4

Addictions counselor vs children's counselor salary

Addictions counselors and children's counselors have different pay scales, as shown below.

	Addictions Counselor	Children's Counselor
Average salary	$47,226	$38,024
Salary range	Between $32,000 And $68,000	Between $21,000 And $66,000
Highest paying City	Philadelphia, PA	Torrance, CA
Highest paying state	Pennsylvania	New Jersey
Best paying company	Wellpath	Lake County
Best paying industry	Non Profits	Government

Differences between addictions counselor and children's counselor education

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

	Addictions Counselor	Children's Counselor
Most common degree	Bachelor's Degree, 53%	Bachelor's Degree, 61%
Most common major	Psychology	Psychology
Most common college	Hunter College of the City University of New York	University of Pennsylvania

Addictions counselor vs children's counselor demographics

Here are the differences between addictions counselors' and children's counselors' demographics:

	Addictions Counselor	Children's Counselor
Average age	39	42
Gender ratio	Male, 35.4% Female, 64.6%	Male, 34.1% Female, 65.9%
Race ratio	Black or African American, 11.4% Unknown, 4.6% Hispanic or Latino, 15.4% Asian, 4.6% White, 63.2% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.9%	Black or African American, 13.4% Unknown, 4.2% Hispanic or Latino, 15.1% Asian, 2.7% White, 63.1% American Indian and Alaska Native, 1.5%
LGBT Percentage	12%	10%

Differences between addictions counselor and children's counselor duties and responsibilities

Addictions counselor example responsibilities.

Ensure and manage the compliance with Didi Hirsch policies and procedures, contracts and other regulatory agencies, HIPAA and DMH.
Develop treatment plans and recommend a level of care within ASAM and DSM-IV guidelines, and approve requirements.
Restore patients to productive roles by educating them about available community base organizations, and social and employment services.
Perform initial evaluations and intakes, make eligibility determinations, conduct rehabilitation planning and problem solving, and counseling.
Provide drug, alcohol, and rehabilitation counseling and education in a residential therapeutic community for female drug offenders.
Serve as an advocate for family with private/public school-relate agencies (IEP meetings/education plans).

Children's counselor example responsibilities.

Work towards empowering juveniles and their families to support a positive lifestyle by providing strength base intensive intervention and rehabilitation services.
Develop and attend treatment plan and IEP meetings for adolescents with mental diagnosis.
Maintain IEP goals and classroom management.
Provide behavior modification and social skills training to children and adolescents with ADHD and other behavioral and emotional disorders.

Addictions counselor vs children's counselor skills

Common addictions counselor skills

Patients, 18%
Social Work, 12%
Chemical Dependency, 6%
Crisis Intervention, 6%
Substance Abuse Treatment, 5%
Intake Assessments, 4%

Common children's counselor skills

Child Care, 22%
Social Work, 12%
Mental Health, 10%
Crisis Intervention, 8%
Group Therapy, 7%
Family Therapy, 4%

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Addictions Counselor
Addictions Counselor vs Children's Counselor

Updated January 8, 2025

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