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The differences between advocates and rehabilitation counselors can be seen in a few details. Each job has different responsibilities and duties. It typically takes 6-12 months to become both an advocate and a rehabilitation counselor. Additionally, a rehabilitation counselor has an average salary of $43,111, which is higher than the $39,497 average annual salary of an advocate.
The top three skills for an advocate include CPR, customer service and developmental disabilities. The most important skills for a rehabilitation counselor are rehabilitation, social work, and mental health.
| Advocate | Rehabilitation Counselor | |
| Yearly salary | $39,497 | $43,111 |
| Hourly rate | $18.99 | $20.73 |
| Growth rate | 12% | 11% |
| Number of jobs | 74,970 | 77,220 |
| Job satisfaction | - | - |
| Most common degree | Bachelor's Degree, 58% | Bachelor's Degree, 59% |
| Average age | 43 | 45 |
| Years of experience | 12 | 12 |
An advocate is a voice for the voiceless. It is their responsibility to speak on behalf of an individual or a particular cause. Most of the duties will vary depending on the line of organization or duty involved; however, an advocate must have extensive knowledge or background on the subject matter. Furthermore, an advocate must be present at gatherings regarding the cause, assist in the negotiation and mediation processes involving contracts and legal documentation, provide or convey accurate information, and defend what they represent.
Rehabilitation counselors are professional counselors who are responsible for helping individuals cope with their disabilities to live independently. These counselors are required to consult other professionals, family members, and individuals when developing a treatment plan based on the goals, strengths, limitations, and personal values of their clients. They must make connections with community support so that individuals with disabilities can avail of the types of services that are available. Rehabilitation counselors must also find employers and educate them in understanding the needs and abilities of disabled people.
Advocates and rehabilitation counselors have different pay scales, as shown below.
| Advocate | Rehabilitation Counselor | |
| Average salary | $39,497 | $43,111 |
| Salary range | Between $26,000 And $58,000 | Between $31,000 And $58,000 |
| Highest paying City | Washington, DC | Cleveland, OH |
| Highest paying state | New York | Ohio |
| Best paying company | Microsoft | North Shore Healthcare |
| Best paying industry | Government | Government |
There are a few differences between an advocate and a rehabilitation counselor in terms of educational background:
| Advocate | Rehabilitation Counselor | |
| Most common degree | Bachelor's Degree, 58% | Bachelor's Degree, 59% |
| Most common major | Psychology | Psychology |
| Most common college | SUNY at Binghamton | University of Washington |
Here are the differences between advocates' and rehabilitation counselors' demographics:
| Advocate | Rehabilitation Counselor | |
| Average age | 43 | 45 |
| Gender ratio | Male, 25.7% Female, 74.3% | Male, 33.9% Female, 66.1% |
| Race ratio | Black or African American, 10.8% Unknown, 5.2% Hispanic or Latino, 21.7% Asian, 6.2% White, 54.0% American Indian and Alaska Native, 2.1% | Black or African American, 13.7% Unknown, 4.6% Hispanic or Latino, 10.8% Asian, 2.9% White, 66.4% American Indian and Alaska Native, 1.7% |
| LGBT Percentage | 11% | 21% |