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Career counselor vs employment counselor

The differences between career counselors and employment counselors 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 $43,848 average annual salary of an employment counselor.

The top three skills for a career counselor include career development, career services and professional development. The most important skills for an employment counselor are litigation, employment law, and HR.

Career counselor vs employment counselor overview

Career CounselorEmployment Counselor
Yearly salary$44,870$43,848
Hourly rate$21.57$21.08
Growth rate10%10%
Number of jobs42,03529,459
Job satisfaction5-
Most common degreeBachelor's Degree, 60%Bachelor's Degree, 67%
Average age4242
Years of experience--

What does a career counselor do?

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.

What does an employment counselor do?

The employment counselor is someone who guides and advises people on how to choose, manage and continue in a career path they've chosen. The employment counselor educates people on each career's pros and cons, giving them insights into what to expect, salary rates, and employment chances in a particular profession. The employment counselor will also show how to excel in a specific career, offer ideas on what training or seminar to attend and what skills to enhance to achieve an edge over others.

Career counselor vs employment counselor salary

Career counselors and employment counselors have different pay scales, as shown below.

Career CounselorEmployment Counselor
Average salary$44,870$43,848
Salary rangeBetween $33,000 And $60,000Between $26,000 And $71,000
Highest paying CityLos Angeles, CASan Francisco, CA
Highest paying stateNew JerseyCalifornia
Best paying companyColumbia University in the City of New YorkApple
Best paying industryTechnologyProfessional

Differences between career counselor and employment counselor education

There are a few differences between a career counselor and an employment counselor in terms of educational background:

Career CounselorEmployment Counselor
Most common degreeBachelor's Degree, 60%Bachelor's Degree, 67%
Most common majorPsychologyPsychology
Most common collegeUniversity of PennsylvaniaUniversity of Pennsylvania

Career counselor vs employment counselor demographics

Here are the differences between career counselors' and employment counselors' demographics:

Career CounselorEmployment Counselor
Average age4242
Gender ratioMale, 42.4% Female, 57.6%Male, 37.1% Female, 62.9%
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 counselor and employment counselor duties and responsibilities

Career counselor example responsibilities.

  • Monitor and manage IEP forms and certifications to adhere to program requirements.
  • Interpret PSAT results with parents and students through education workshop.
  • Coordinate transitioning veterans with community hiring facilities in the areas of their desire location.
  • Provide information to individuals on matters pertaining to social security, veterans administration, and uniform service health benefits program.
  • Provide testing, including TABE, Proveit and Oscar.
  • Develop new intake orientation and TABE testing process for prospective participants.

Employment counselor example responsibilities.

  • Complete reports, manage client files and process WIA billing invoices for tuition and supplies.
  • Manage a caseload of Calworks participants in working towards the goal of self-sufficiency and employment.
  • Monitor caseworkers to ensure rehabilitation services are properly coordinate to aid clients in achieving self-sufficiency.
  • Source, develop, and implement HRIS systems.
  • Provide case management to TANF recipients that move clients to employment.
  • Document in accordance with JCAHO, Medicaid, and all quality improvement standards.
  • Show more

Career counselor vs employment counselor skills

Common career counselor skills
  • Career Development, 12%
  • Career Services, 7%
  • Professional Development, 6%
  • Career Planning, 5%
  • Mental Health, 5%
  • Career Exploration, 5%
Common employment counselor skills
  • Litigation, 16%
  • Employment Law, 14%
  • HR, 10%
  • Employment Litigation, 6%
  • FLSA, 5%
  • Training Programs, 4%

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