Cabin counselor vs residential counselor

The differences between cabin counselors and residential counselors can be seen in a few details. Each job has different responsibilities and duties. It typically takes 2-4 years to become both a cabin counselor and a residential counselor. Additionally, a residential counselor has an average salary of $34,117, which is higher than the $23,776 average annual salary of a cabin counselor.

The top three skills for a cabin counselor include kids, CPR and cleanliness. The most important skills for a residential counselor are direct care, medication administration, and mental health.

Cabin counselor vs residential counselor overview

	Cabin Counselor	Residential Counselor
Yearly salary	$23,776	$34,117
Hourly rate	$11.43	$16.40
Growth rate	10%	12%
Number of jobs	27,491	81,287
Job satisfaction	-	-
Most common degree	Bachelor's Degree, 71%	Bachelor's Degree, 59%
Average age	42	41
Years of experience	4	4

Cabin counselor vs residential counselor salary

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

	Cabin Counselor	Residential Counselor
Average salary	$23,776	$34,117
Salary range	Between $11,000 And $48,000	Between $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 cabin counselor and residential counselor education

There are a few differences between a cabin counselor and a residential counselor in terms of educational background:

	Cabin Counselor	Residential Counselor
Most common degree	Bachelor's Degree, 71%	Bachelor's Degree, 59%
Most common major	Psychology	Psychology
Most common college	Duke University	California State University - Long Beach

Cabin counselor vs residential counselor demographics

Here are the differences between cabin counselors' and residential counselors' demographics:

	Cabin Counselor	Residential Counselor
Average age	42	41
Gender ratio	Male, 44.9% Female, 55.1%	Male, 33.0% Female, 67.0%
Race ratio	Black or African American, 11.8% Unknown, 5.6% Hispanic or Latino, 13.6% Asian, 5.8% White, 62.6% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.7%	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 Percentage	8%	15%

Differences between cabin counselor and residential counselor duties and responsibilities

Cabin counselor example responsibilities.

Manage kayak and canoe instructors and ensure boating classes are always safe and constructive.
Manage a cabin of ten kids per week and serve as a resource for medical, behavioral and emotional needs.
Assist kids in creating new friendships, improving communication and empathy skills, achieving independence, and teaching important life skills.
Educate campers to manage their diabetes independently bypracticing in team excercises.
Create and run evening activities for campers.
Plan and lead hiking, camping and canoe trips.

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.

Cabin counselor vs residential counselor skills

Common cabin counselor skills

Kids, 20%
CPR, 20%
Cleanliness, 16%
Leadership, 11%
Behavior Management, 7%
Role Model, 6%

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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Cabin Counselor
Cabin Counselor vs Residential Counselor

Updated January 8, 2025

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