Corrections counselor vs peer counselor

The differences between corrections counselors and peer counselors can be seen in a few details. Each job has different responsibilities and duties. Additionally, a corrections counselor has an average salary of $48,875, which is higher than the $37,464 average annual salary of a peer counselor.

The top three skills for a corrections counselor include mental health, substance abuse and social work. The most important skills for a peer counselor are peer support, substance abuse, and wic program.

Corrections counselor vs peer counselor overview

	Corrections Counselor	Peer Counselor
Yearly salary	$48,875	$37,464
Hourly rate	$23.50	$18.01
Growth rate	10%	10%
Number of jobs	77,132	76,608
Job satisfaction	-	-
Most common degree	Bachelor's Degree, 61%	Bachelor's Degree, 61%
Average age	42	42
Years of experience	-	-

What does a corrections counselor do?

A corrections counselor develops and implements rehabilitation plans for parolees and inmates. They work directly with criminal offenders to facilitate individual or group counseling sessions to identify the reasons for their behavior, help them work through their issues, give the necessary interventions, and determine whether they can be released back into society. Besides monitoring the progress of the inmates, a corrections counselor may also help parolees and offenders prepare for their release to prevent them from going back to the life of crime. Additionally, a corrections counselor keeps records of all inmates and regularly reports to senior staff.

What does a peer counselor do?

Typically working at schools, communities, or medical facilities, a peer counselor specializes in providing counseling to an individual or group of people, aiming to help them deal with and overcome crises. Their duties often include conducting initial assessments through interviews and appointments, listening to clients and offering advice, recommending opportunities, referring them to other support agencies, and coordinating treatment services as needed. Above all, a peer counselor must provide emotional support and guidance to clients, giving them comfort and a shoulder to lean on.

Corrections counselor vs peer counselor salary

Corrections counselors and peer counselors have different pay scales, as shown below.

	Corrections Counselor	Peer Counselor
Average salary	$48,875	$37,464
Salary range	Between $35,000 And $66,000	Between $24,000 And $57,000
Highest paying City	Santa Rosa, CA	Hayward, CA
Highest paying state	California	California
Best paying company	Maxim Healthcare Group	The Brooklyn Hospital Center
Best paying industry	Government	Education

Differences between corrections counselor and peer counselor education

There are a few differences between a corrections counselor and a peer counselor in terms of educational background:

	Corrections Counselor	Peer Counselor
Most common degree	Bachelor's Degree, 61%	Bachelor's Degree, 61%
Most common major	Criminal Justice	Psychology
Most common college	California State University - Long Beach	University of Pennsylvania

Corrections counselor vs peer counselor demographics

Here are the differences between corrections counselors' and peer counselors' demographics:

	Corrections Counselor	Peer Counselor
Average age	42	42
Gender ratio	Male, 49.3% Female, 50.7%	Male, 33.0% Female, 67.0%
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%

Differences between corrections counselor and peer counselor duties and responsibilities

Corrections counselor example responsibilities.

Train in pepper spray, handcuffs, and CPR.
Provide first aid and or CPR as needed.
Administer risk/needs assessment to offenders using motivational interviewing techniques.
Utilize and demonstrate proficiency in risk reduction skills including motivational interviewing and cognitive strategies.
Develop re-entry plans for offenders within establish time frames and in accordance with departmental procedures.
Assist inmates with selecting educational and job training programs to enhance their opportunity for rehabilitation and future employment.

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Peer counselor example responsibilities.

Conduct group check-in and co-lead group psychotherapy sessions to help clients identify and manage problems associate with psychiatric conditions.
Refer clients (as needed) to inpatient or outpatient substance abuse rehabilitation programs and assist them in qualifying for services.
Formulate and edit nutrition education materials and monthly newsletters for WIC participants.
Counsele and enroll people in ACA and ABE.
Work with multiple groups of undergraduate students to improve GPA's.
Present information via PowerPoint and hand-outs to students on the dangers of poor credit decisions.

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Corrections counselor vs peer counselor skills

Common corrections counselor skills

Mental Health, 16%
Substance Abuse, 16%
Social Work, 10%
Crisis Intervention, 6%
Rehabilitation, 6%
Criminal Justice, 6%

Common peer counselor skills

Peer Support, 14%
Substance Abuse, 9%
WIC Program, 9%
Crisis Intervention, 7%
Community Resources, 6%
Mental Illness, 6%

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Updated January 8, 2025

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