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Adult school counselor vs children's counselor

The differences between adult school 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 adult school counselor, becoming a children's counselor takes usually requires 2-4 years. Additionally, an adult school counselor has an average salary of $51,207, which is higher than the $38,024 average annual salary of a children's counselor.

The top three skills for an adult school counselor include social work, substance abuse and community resources. The most important skills for a children's counselor are child care, social work, and mental health.

Adult school counselor vs children's counselor overview

Adult School CounselorChildren's Counselor
Yearly salary$51,207$38,024
Hourly rate$24.62$18.28
Growth rate10%9%
Number of jobs48,78139,726
Job satisfaction--
Most common degreeBachelor's Degree, 57%Bachelor's Degree, 61%
Average age3942
Years of experience64

Adult school counselor vs children's counselor salary

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

Adult School CounselorChildren's Counselor
Average salary$51,207$38,024
Salary rangeBetween $38,000 And $68,000Between $21,000 And $66,000
Highest paying City-Torrance, CA
Highest paying state-New Jersey
Best paying company-Lake County
Best paying industry-Government

Differences between adult school counselor and children's counselor education

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

Adult School CounselorChildren's Counselor
Most common degreeBachelor's Degree, 57%Bachelor's Degree, 61%
Most common majorPsychologyPsychology
Most common collegeCalifornia State University - Long BeachUniversity of Pennsylvania

Adult school counselor vs children's counselor demographics

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

Adult School CounselorChildren's Counselor
Average age3942
Gender ratioMale, 31.1% Female, 68.9%Male, 34.1% Female, 65.9%
Race ratioBlack 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 Percentage12%10%

Differences between adult school counselor and children's counselor duties and responsibilities

Adult school counselor example responsibilities.

  • Conduct group check-in and co-lead group psychotherapy sessions to help clients identify and manage problems associate with psychiatric conditions.
  • Work towards empowering juveniles and their families to support a positive lifestyle by providing strength base intensive intervention and rehabilitation services.
  • Organize and lead regular youth and college bible studies, teaching about prayer and promoting spirituality.

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.

Adult school counselor vs children's counselor skills

Common adult school counselor skills
  • Social Work, 24%
  • Substance Abuse, 22%
  • Community Resources, 15%
  • Group Therapy, 10%
  • Discharge Planning, 3%
  • Social Services, 3%
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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