Post job

Career coach vs peer mentor

The differences between career coaches and peer mentors can be seen in a few details. Each job has different responsibilities and duties. Additionally, a career coach has an average salary of $41,858, which is higher than the $28,416 average annual salary of a peer mentor.

The top three skills for a career coach include career development, professional development and career services. The most important skills for a peer mentor are mental health, role model, and mathematics.

Career coach vs peer mentor overview

Career CoachPeer Mentor
Yearly salary$41,858$28,416
Hourly rate$20.12$13.66
Growth rate10%10%
Number of jobs42,6221,199
Job satisfaction5-
Most common degreeBachelor's Degree, 65%Bachelor's Degree, 72%
Average age4242
Years of experience--

What does a career coach do?

A career coach is responsible for helping a person reach their career goals and development by identifying their strengths, weaknesses, and aspirations. Career coaches conduct one-on-one counseling with their clients to share career advice and support them for the professional path. They also build self-confidence in their clients and help them improve their relationship with other people. A career coach must have excellent communication and organizational skills, especially in mentoring their clients and managing career services according to their clients' needs.

What does a peer mentor do?

A peer mentor is an individual who builds a relationship with another person or mentee who is new to the career or at the same level. Peer mentors must serve as a social role model and educate mentees on various resources and services. They coordinate and facilitate social programs and training and discuss any mentee concerns with the top management. Peer mentors are also required to maintain confidentiality with any shared information between mentors and mentees.

Career coach vs peer mentor salary

Career coaches and peer mentors have different pay scales, as shown below.

Career CoachPeer Mentor
Average salary$41,858$28,416
Salary rangeBetween $30,000 And $57,000Between $21,000 And $37,000
Highest paying CityWashington, DCBrockton, MA
Highest paying stateCaliforniaNew Hampshire
Best paying companyHartwick CollegeSaint Xavier University
Best paying industryUtilitiesNon Profits

Differences between career coach and peer mentor education

There are a few differences between a career coach and a peer mentor in terms of educational background:

Career CoachPeer Mentor
Most common degreeBachelor's Degree, 65%Bachelor's Degree, 72%
Most common majorBusinessPsychology
Most common collegeUniversity of PennsylvaniaUniversity of Pennsylvania

Career coach vs peer mentor demographics

Here are the differences between career coaches' and peer mentors' demographics:

Career CoachPeer Mentor
Average age4242
Gender ratioMale, 29.5% Female, 70.5%Male, 37.7% Female, 62.3%
Race ratioBlack or African American, 10.6% Unknown, 3.8% Hispanic or Latino, 14.2% Asian, 3.7% White, 67.0% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.6%Black or African American, 10.6% Unknown, 3.8% Hispanic or Latino, 14.2% Asian, 3.7% White, 67.0% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.6%
LGBT Percentage11%11%

Differences between career coach and peer mentor duties and responsibilities

Career coach example responsibilities.

  • Offer EEO training to members at various sites.
  • Schedule clients for work readiness training base on their IEP.
  • Create and update PowerPoint presentations and trainers' notes to reflect current curriculum.
  • Develop and implement a successful process to streamline the intake and orientation for the WIA customers.
  • Plan events, such as college visits, alumni relations efforts, panel discussions, and college/career fairs
  • Conduct vocational rehabilitation assessments and create action steps and goals cater to the client in finding stable employment.
  • Show more

Peer mentor example responsibilities.

  • Lead teens in improving their interpersonal relationships via education
  • Mentore and co-taught a class for incoming freshmen
  • Help students complete FAFSA applications, verification paperwork, and booking appointments.
  • Assist FYRST faculty with planning a syllabus, classroom presentations, events, and trips.
  • Conduct FAFSA workshops and assist students and parents with competing tax information need to complete the FAFSA application.
  • Assist students academically in medical and anatomy classes.
  • Show more

Career coach vs peer mentor skills

Common career coach skills
  • Career Development, 10%
  • Professional Development, 8%
  • Career Services, 6%
  • Career Exploration, 5%
  • Social Work, 5%
  • Community Resources, 4%
Common peer mentor skills
  • Mental Health, 11%
  • Role Model, 8%
  • Mathematics, 6%
  • GPA, 5%
  • Peer Support, 5%
  • Academic Support, 5%

Browse community and social services jobs