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Adult school counselor vs residential counselor

The differences between adult school counselors and residential 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 residential counselor takes usually requires 2-4 years. Additionally, an adult school counselor has an average salary of $51,207, which is higher than the $34,117 average annual salary of a residential counselor.

The top three skills for an adult school counselor include social work, substance abuse and community resources. The most important skills for a residential counselor are direct care, medication administration, and mental health.

Adult school counselor vs residential counselor overview

Adult School CounselorResidential Counselor
Yearly salary$51,207$34,117
Hourly rate$24.62$16.40
Growth rate10%12%
Number of jobs48,78181,287
Job satisfaction--
Most common degreeBachelor's Degree, 57%Bachelor's Degree, 59%
Average age3941
Years of experience64

Adult school counselor vs residential counselor salary

Adult school counselors and residential counselors have different pay scales, as shown below.

Adult School CounselorResidential Counselor
Average salary$51,207$34,117
Salary rangeBetween $38,000 And $68,000Between $27,000 And $42,000
Highest paying City-Seattle, WA
Highest paying state-Washington
Best paying company-The Evergreens
Best paying industry-Education

Differences between adult school counselor and residential counselor education

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

Adult School CounselorResidential Counselor
Most common degreeBachelor's Degree, 57%Bachelor's Degree, 59%
Most common majorPsychologyPsychology
Most common collegeCalifornia State University - Long BeachCalifornia State University - Long Beach

Adult school counselor vs residential counselor demographics

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

Adult School CounselorResidential Counselor
Average age3941
Gender ratioMale, 31.1% Female, 68.9%Male, 33.0% Female, 67.0%
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, 11.3% Unknown, 5.9% Hispanic or Latino, 12.2% Asian, 3.2% White, 67.0% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.4%
LGBT Percentage12%15%

Differences between adult school counselor and residential 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.

Residential counselor example responsibilities.

  • Lead recreational activities for adolescents with ADHD and other behavior disorders.
  • Engage, educate and empower participants to access community base resources in order to achieve greater self-determination, rehabilitation and recovery.
  • Train in AMAP, SCIP, and first aid procedures.
  • Assist residents with ADL, occasionally accompany to medical appointments, administer medications.
  • Refine an understanding of HIPAA and DMH programs.
  • Assist special needs students to reach their IEP and treatment plan goals in 1:1 and group settings.
  • Show more

Adult school counselor vs residential 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 residential counselor skills
  • Direct Care, 9%
  • Medication Administration, 9%
  • Mental Health, 8%
  • Social Work, 7%
  • Developmental Disabilities, 6%
  • Mental Illness, 6%

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