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The differences between career counselors and student support 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 $41,329 average annual salary of a student support counselor.
The top three skills for a career counselor include career development, career services and professional development. The most important skills for a student support counselor are student support, mental health, and crisis intervention.
| Career Counselor | Student Support Counselor | |
| Yearly salary | $44,870 | $41,329 |
| Hourly rate | $21.57 | $19.87 |
| Growth rate | 10% | 10% |
| Number of jobs | 42,035 | 134,839 |
| Job satisfaction | 5 | - |
| Most common degree | Bachelor's Degree, 60% | Bachelor's Degree, 63% |
| 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 student support counselor is responsible for identifying the students' strengths and challenges through one-on-one counseling and establishing solutions to help them overcome difficulties and achieve their educational goals and aspirations. Student support counselors assist the faculty in determining appropriate programs and activities to develop the students' capabilities, especially as a way of preparing them with their career objectives. They also coordinate with the students' families for extended guidance and support for their growth and development.
Career counselors and student support counselors have different pay scales, as shown below.
| Career Counselor | Student Support Counselor | |
| Average salary | $44,870 | $41,329 |
| Salary range | Between $33,000 And $60,000 | Between $29,000 And $57,000 |
| Highest paying City | Los Angeles, CA | Teaneck, NJ |
| Highest paying state | New Jersey | Massachusetts |
| Best paying company | Columbia University in the City of New York | Mercy College |
| Best paying industry | Technology | Education |
There are a few differences between a career counselor and a student support counselor in terms of educational background:
| Career Counselor | Student Support Counselor | |
| Most common degree | Bachelor's Degree, 60% | Bachelor's Degree, 63% |
| Most common major | Psychology | Psychology |
| Most common college | University of Pennsylvania | University of Pennsylvania |
Here are the differences between career counselors' and student support counselors' demographics:
| Career Counselor | Student Support Counselor | |
| Average age | 42 | 42 |
| Gender ratio | Male, 42.4% Female, 57.6% | Male, 34.3% Female, 65.7% |
| 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% |