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The differences between career counselors and career coaches can be seen in a few details. Each job has different responsibilities and duties. Additionally, a career counselor has an average salary of $44,870, which is higher than the $41,858 average annual salary of a career coach.
The top three skills for a career counselor include career development, career services and professional development. The most important skills for a career coach are career development, professional development, and career services.
| Career Counselor | Career Coach | |
| Yearly salary | $44,870 | $41,858 |
| Hourly rate | $21.57 | $20.12 |
| Growth rate | 10% | 10% |
| Number of jobs | 42,035 | 42,622 |
| Job satisfaction | 5 | 5 |
| Most common degree | Bachelor's Degree, 60% | Bachelor's Degree, 65% |
| Average age | 42 | 42 |
| Years of experience | - | - |
A career counselor specializes in assisting clients in their career-related decisions. Utilizing their expertise in career development, they typically meet with clients to discuss their short-term and long-term goals, identify their needs and concerns, conduct different aptitude tests and examinations, organize skills assessment procedures, and provide strategies to improve or enhance their skills and abilities. Aside from providing consultations, a career counselor may also assist clients in processing and establishing their resumes, supporting them every step of the way.
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.
Career counselors and career coaches have different pay scales, as shown below.
| Career Counselor | Career Coach | |
| Average salary | $44,870 | $41,858 |
| Salary range | Between $33,000 And $60,000 | Between $30,000 And $57,000 |
| Highest paying City | Los Angeles, CA | Washington, DC |
| Highest paying state | New Jersey | California |
| Best paying company | Columbia University in the City of New York | Hartwick College |
| Best paying industry | Technology | Utilities |
There are a few differences between a career counselor and a career coach in terms of educational background:
| Career Counselor | Career Coach | |
| Most common degree | Bachelor's Degree, 60% | Bachelor's Degree, 65% |
| Most common major | Psychology | Business |
| Most common college | University of Pennsylvania | University of Pennsylvania |
Here are the differences between career counselors' and career coaches' demographics:
| Career Counselor | Career Coach | |
| Average age | 42 | 42 |
| Gender ratio | Male, 42.4% Female, 57.6% | Male, 29.5% Female, 70.5% |
| Race ratio | 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% | 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 Percentage | 11% | 11% |