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The differences between admissions counselors and academic 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 $39,298 average annual salary of an admissions counselor.
The top three skills for an admissions counselor include customer service, patients and social work. The most important skills for an academic counselor are financial aid, academic support, and student services.
| Admissions Counselor | Academic Counselor | |
| Yearly salary | $39,298 | $47,454 |
| Hourly rate | $18.89 | $22.81 |
| Growth rate | 10% | 10% |
| Number of jobs | 43,413 | 39,084 |
| Job satisfaction | - | - |
| Most common degree | Bachelor's Degree, 75% | Bachelor's Degree, 66% |
| Average age | 42 | 42 |
| Years of experience | - | - |
An admissions counselor is the primary point of contact between a university or college and their potential students. One of their primary responsibilities is to represent the school during various events for recruitment purposes, discuss the admission procedures to the students and their families through calls or appointments, and facilitate university tours and orientation among prospective students. Furthermore, they must gather applicants' requirements, verify their authenticity, and determine if they are qualified for the institution. They may also decide student admissions, all while adhering to the college's policies and guidelines.
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.
Admissions counselors and academic counselors have different pay scales, as shown below.
| Admissions Counselor | Academic Counselor | |
| Average salary | $39,298 | $47,454 |
| Salary range | Between $30,000 And $50,000 | Between $35,000 And $63,000 |
| Highest paying City | San Rafael, CA | San Francisco, CA |
| Highest paying state | New Hampshire | Virginia |
| Best paying company | School of Visual Concepts | California College of the Arts |
| Best paying industry | Professional | Non Profits |
There are a few differences between an admissions counselor and an academic counselor in terms of educational background:
| Admissions Counselor | Academic Counselor | |
| Most common degree | Bachelor's Degree, 75% | Bachelor's Degree, 66% |
| Most common major | Business | Business |
| Most common college | University of Pennsylvania | University of Pennsylvania |
Here are the differences between admissions counselors' and academic counselors' demographics:
| Admissions Counselor | Academic Counselor | |
| Average age | 42 | 42 |
| Gender ratio | Male, 38.6% Female, 61.4% | Male, 35.4% Female, 64.6% |
| 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% |