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Counselor, instructor vs residential counselor

The differences between counselors, instructor and residential counselors can be seen in a few details. Each job has different responsibilities and duties. Additionally, a counselor, instructor has an average salary of $35,544, which is higher than the $34,117 average annual salary of a residential counselor.

The top three skills for a counselor, instructor include social work, mental health and community agencies. The most important skills for a residential counselor are direct care, medication administration, and mental health.

Counselor, instructor vs residential counselor overview

Counselor, InstructorResidential Counselor
Yearly salary$35,544$34,117
Hourly rate$17.09$16.40
Growth rate10%12%
Number of jobs55,72581,287
Job satisfaction--
Most common degreeBachelor's Degree, 63%Bachelor's Degree, 59%
Average age4241
Years of experience-4

Counselor, instructor vs residential counselor salary

Counselors, instructor and residential counselors have different pay scales, as shown below.

Counselor, InstructorResidential Counselor
Average salary$35,544$34,117
Salary rangeBetween $20,000 And $61,000Between $27,000 And $42,000
Highest paying City-Seattle, WA
Highest paying state-Washington
Best paying company-The Evergreens
Best paying industry-Education

Differences between counselor, instructor and residential counselor education

There are a few differences between a counselor, instructor and a residential counselor in terms of educational background:

Counselor, InstructorResidential Counselor
Most common degreeBachelor's Degree, 63%Bachelor's Degree, 59%
Most common majorPsychologyPsychology
Most common collegeUniversity of PennsylvaniaCalifornia State University - Long Beach

Counselor, instructor vs residential counselor demographics

Here are the differences between counselors, instructor' and residential counselors' demographics:

Counselor, InstructorResidential Counselor
Average age4241
Gender ratioMale, 52.8% Female, 47.2%Male, 33.0% Female, 67.0%
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, 11.3% Unknown, 5.9% Hispanic or Latino, 12.2% Asian, 3.2% White, 67.0% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.4%
LGBT Percentage11%15%

Differences between counselor, instructor and residential counselor duties and responsibilities

Counselor, instructor example responsibilities.

  • Manage procurement and employment of training aids and devices and ammunition along with require logistical support.
  • Provide lead support to visitation programming including training and direction to visitation facilitators on program protocol, procedures, and requirements.
  • Organize and lead regular youth and college bible studies, teaching about prayer and promoting spirituality.

Residential counselor example responsibilities.

  • Lead recreational activities for adolescents with ADHD and other behavior disorders.
  • Engage, educate and empower participants to access community base resources in order to achieve greater self-determination, rehabilitation and recovery.
  • Train in AMAP, SCIP, and first aid procedures.
  • Assist residents with ADL, occasionally accompany to medical appointments, administer medications.
  • Refine an understanding of HIPAA and DMH programs.
  • Assist special needs students to reach their IEP and treatment plan goals in 1:1 and group settings.
  • Show more

Counselor, instructor vs residential counselor skills

Common counselor, instructor skills
  • Social Work, 24%
  • Mental Health, 15%
  • Community Agencies, 15%
  • Substance Abuse, 8%
  • CPR, 5%
  • Crisis Intervention, 5%
Common residential counselor skills
  • Direct Care, 9%
  • Medication Administration, 9%
  • Mental Health, 8%
  • Social Work, 7%
  • Developmental Disabilities, 6%
  • Mental Illness, 6%

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