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The differences between career counselors and residence 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 $34,931 average annual salary of a residence counselor.
The top three skills for a career counselor include career development, career services and professional development. The most important skills for a residence counselor are developmental disabilities, CPR, and community resources.
| Career Counselor | Residence Counselor | |
| Yearly salary | $44,870 | $34,931 |
| Hourly rate | $21.57 | $16.79 |
| Growth rate | 10% | 36% |
| Number of jobs | 42,035 | 78,872 |
| Job satisfaction | 5 | 3 |
| Most common degree | Bachelor's Degree, 60% | Bachelor's Degree, 57% |
| Average age | 42 | 41 |
| Years of experience | - | 4 |
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.
Residence counselors are professionals who are responsible for providing services such as one-to-one therapy and crisis support to clients who are living in group homes or assisted-living facilities. These counselors must assist adults with moderate intellectual disabilities to find employment while monitoring their work performance. They must facilitate and supervise daily personal care and activities for developmentally disabled adults. Residence counselors must also encourage clients to participate in community activities that can contribute to the development of skills necessary for independent living.
Career counselors and residence counselors have different pay scales, as shown below.
| Career Counselor | Residence Counselor | |
| Average salary | $44,870 | $34,931 |
| Salary range | Between $33,000 And $60,000 | Between $28,000 And $43,000 |
| Highest paying City | Los Angeles, CA | Phoenix, AZ |
| Highest paying state | New Jersey | Washington |
| Best paying company | Columbia University in the City of New York | McLean Hospital |
| Best paying industry | Technology | Education |
There are a few differences between a career counselor and a residence counselor in terms of educational background:
| Career Counselor | Residence Counselor | |
| Most common degree | Bachelor's Degree, 60% | Bachelor's Degree, 57% |
| Most common major | Psychology | Psychology |
| Most common college | University of Pennsylvania | California State University - Long Beach |
Here are the differences between career counselors' and residence counselors' demographics:
| Career Counselor | Residence Counselor | |
| Average age | 42 | 41 |
| Gender ratio | Male, 42.4% Female, 57.6% | Male, 34.5% Female, 65.5% |
| 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, 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 | 11% | 15% |