Assessment specialist vs addictions counselor

The differences between assessment specialists and addictions counselors can be seen in a few details. Each job has different responsibilities and duties. While it typically takes 2-4 years to become an assessment specialist, becoming an addictions counselor takes usually requires 4-6 years. Additionally, an assessment specialist has an average salary of $64,402, which is higher than the $47,226 average annual salary of an addictions counselor.

The top three skills for an assessment specialist include social work, patients and edition. The most important skills for an addictions counselor are patients, social work, and chemical dependency.

Assessment specialist vs addictions counselor overview

	Assessment Specialist	Addictions Counselor
Yearly salary	$64,402	$47,226
Hourly rate	$30.96	$22.70
Growth rate	9%	12%
Number of jobs	90,625	79,459
Job satisfaction	-	-
Most common degree	Bachelor's Degree, 59%	Bachelor's Degree, 53%
Average age	45	39
Years of experience	4	6

What does an assessment specialist do?

An assessment specialist is an administrative professional who is responsible for designing and conducting assessment tests for a variety of academic clients. Assessment specialists are required to coordinate and implement the student testing program, which includes assessing an individual child's needs, potentials, and limitations. They must monitor special education or talent and gifted (TAG) staff to ensure that objectives are met. Assessment specialists must also need to know state laws and federal that pertain to educational assessments.

What does an addictions counselor do?

An Addictions Counselor helps patients overcome personal addiction problems, such as dependence on drugs, alcohol, and other substances. They evaluate the condition of their client through examining, asking questions, and recommending the proper treatment options.

Assessment specialist vs addictions counselor salary

Assessment specialists and addictions counselors have different pay scales, as shown below.

	Assessment Specialist	Addictions Counselor
Average salary	$64,402	$47,226
Salary range	Between $47,000 And $86,000	Between $32,000 And $68,000
Highest paying City	Trenton, NJ	Philadelphia, PA
Highest paying state	New Jersey	Pennsylvania
Best paying company	Microsoft	Wellpath
Best paying industry	Technology	Non Profits

Differences between assessment specialist and addictions counselor education

There are a few differences between an assessment specialist and an addictions counselor in terms of educational background:

	Assessment Specialist	Addictions Counselor
Most common degree	Bachelor's Degree, 59%	Bachelor's Degree, 53%
Most common major	Psychology	Psychology
Most common college	University of Pennsylvania	Hunter College of the City University of New York

Assessment specialist vs addictions counselor demographics

Here are the differences between assessment specialists' and addictions counselors' demographics:

	Assessment Specialist	Addictions Counselor
Average age	45	39
Gender ratio	Male, 31.6% Female, 68.4%	Male, 35.4% Female, 64.6%
Race ratio	Black or African American, 7.9% Unknown, 6.2% Hispanic or Latino, 7.9% Asian, 3.1% White, 74.2% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.6%	Black 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%
LGBT Percentage	15%	12%

Differences between assessment specialist and addictions counselor duties and responsibilities

Assessment specialist example responsibilities.

Screen, identify, diagnose using DSM nomenclature, treat and manage mental health and/or substance abuse problems.
Collaborate with clinical staff regarding patient care during testing and any accommodations or adjustments require for patients being test.
Work with school assessment coordinators; train and evaluate staff.
Examine EMR documentation to determine resident's needs as required by CMS' MDS regulations.
Comply with CMS guidelines for Medicaid residents for admission, quarterly and significant change updates as appropriate.
Research and create original content for monthly SOE meetings; PowerPoint with synchronous live web camera interactions with faculty.

Addictions counselor example responsibilities.

Ensure and manage the compliance with Didi Hirsch policies and procedures, contracts and other regulatory agencies, HIPAA and DMH.
Develop treatment plans and recommend a level of care within ASAM and DSM-IV guidelines, and approve requirements.
Restore patients to productive roles by educating them about available community base organizations, and social and employment services.
Perform initial evaluations and intakes, make eligibility determinations, conduct rehabilitation planning and problem solving, and counseling.
Provide drug, alcohol, and rehabilitation counseling and education in a residential therapeutic community for female drug offenders.
Serve as an advocate for family with private/public school-relate agencies (IEP meetings/education plans).

Assessment specialist vs addictions counselor skills

Common assessment specialist skills

Social Work, 21%
Patients, 18%
Edition, 7%
Professional Development, 3%
Mental Health Assessments, 3%
Crisis Intervention, 3%

Common addictions counselor skills

Patients, 18%
Social Work, 12%
Chemical Dependency, 6%
Crisis Intervention, 6%
Substance Abuse Treatment, 5%
Intake Assessments, 4%

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Assessment Specialist vs Addictions Counselor

Updated January 8, 2025

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