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The differences between admissions advisors and guidance counselors can be seen in a few details. Each job has different responsibilities and duties. Additionally, an admissions advisor has an average salary of $54,192, which is higher than the $48,154 average annual salary of a guidance counselor.
The top three skills for an admissions advisor include customer service, admissions process and outbound calls. The most important skills for a guidance counselor are crisis intervention, community resources, and mental health.
| Admissions Advisor | Guidance Counselor | |
| Yearly salary | $54,192 | $48,154 |
| Hourly rate | $26.05 | $23.15 |
| Growth rate | 10% | 10% |
| Number of jobs | 55,433 | 75,740 |
| Job satisfaction | 4 | - |
| Most common degree | Bachelor's Degree, 68% | Bachelor's Degree, 51% |
| Average age | 42 | 42 |
| Years of experience | - | - |
The admissions advisor's work involves meeting with potential students and organizing recruitment events in the admissions offices of colleges and universities. Their tasks also include informing students and families about the application process, requirements for admission, financial aid, and enrollment steps. Moreover, they can answer frequently asked questions about the school to help potential students decide whether it is a good fit. In addition, they may also leave campus to help in promoting the school at college and university fairs.
The primary role of a Guidance Counselor is to help students develop skills for success, both in academics and social development. They also develop and implement educational and counseling plans with modern methods of teaching and mentoring.
Admissions advisors and guidance counselors have different pay scales, as shown below.
| Admissions Advisor | Guidance Counselor | |
| Average salary | $54,192 | $48,154 |
| Salary range | Between $27,000 And $106,000 | Between $36,000 And $64,000 |
| Highest paying City | Merced, CA | San Francisco, CA |
| Highest paying state | California | California |
| Best paying company | Tenet Healthcare | Poly Prep Country Day School |
| Best paying industry | Education | Education |
There are a few differences between an admissions advisor and a guidance counselor in terms of educational background:
| Admissions Advisor | Guidance Counselor | |
| Most common degree | Bachelor's Degree, 68% | Bachelor's Degree, 51% |
| Most common major | Business | School Counseling |
| Most common college | University of Pennsylvania | University of Pennsylvania |
Here are the differences between admissions advisors' and guidance counselors' demographics:
| Admissions Advisor | Guidance Counselor | |
| Average age | 42 | 42 |
| Gender ratio | Male, 44.7% Female, 55.3% | Male, 31.3% Female, 68.7% |
| Race ratio | 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% | 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% |