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The differences between career counselors and lead counselors can be seen in a few details. Each job has different responsibilities and duties. Additionally, a lead counselor has an average salary of $178,478, which is higher than the $44,870 average annual salary of a career counselor.
The top three skills for a career counselor include career development, career services and professional development. The most important skills for a lead counselor are legal advice, litigation, and work ethic.
| Career Counselor | Lead Counselor | |
| Yearly salary | $44,870 | $178,478 |
| Hourly rate | $21.57 | $85.81 |
| Growth rate | 10% | 10% |
| Number of jobs | 42,035 | 74,247 |
| Job satisfaction | 5 | - |
| Most common degree | Bachelor's Degree, 60% | Bachelor's Degree, 59% |
| 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 Lead Counselor is responsible for the management of patients' mental health and rehabilitation services. Often, they help them to recover from a tragic or traumatic kind of situation. They also help the patient cope with family and job-related stress and other personal issues. They teach other staff and especially clients to educate them in dealing with stress management and eventually monitor their progress. This person should also have strong written and verbal communication skills.
Career counselors and lead counselors have different pay scales, as shown below.
| Career Counselor | Lead Counselor | |
| Average salary | $44,870 | $178,478 |
| Salary range | Between $33,000 And $60,000 | Between $100,000 And $315,000 |
| Highest paying City | Los Angeles, CA | Los Angeles, CA |
| Highest paying state | New Jersey | New Jersey |
| Best paying company | Columbia University in the City of New York | MDI |
| Best paying industry | Technology | - |
There are a few differences between a career counselor and a lead counselor in terms of educational background:
| Career Counselor | Lead Counselor | |
| Most common degree | Bachelor's Degree, 60% | Bachelor's Degree, 59% |
| Most common major | Psychology | Psychology |
| Most common college | University of Pennsylvania | University of Pennsylvania |
Here are the differences between career counselors' and lead counselors' demographics:
| Career Counselor | Lead Counselor | |
| Average age | 42 | 42 |
| Gender ratio | Male, 42.4% Female, 57.6% | Male, 41.6% Female, 58.4% |
| 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% |