Counselor technician vs addictions counselor

The differences between counselor technicians and addictions counselors can be seen in a few details. Each job has different responsibilities and duties. It typically takes 4-6 years to become both a counselor technician and an addictions counselor. Additionally, an addictions counselor has an average salary of $47,226, which is higher than the $42,314 average annual salary of a counselor technician.

The top three skills for a counselor technician include intellectual property, patients and substance abuse. The most important skills for an addictions counselor are patients, social work, and chemical dependency.

Counselor technician vs addictions counselor overview

	Counselor Technician	Addictions Counselor
Yearly salary	$42,314	$47,226
Hourly rate	$20.34	$22.70
Growth rate	10%	12%
Number of jobs	79,999	79,459
Job satisfaction	5	-
Most common degree	Bachelor's Degree, 53%	Bachelor's Degree, 53%
Average age	39	39
Years of experience	6	6

Counselor technician vs addictions counselor salary

Counselor technicians and addictions counselors have different pay scales, as shown below.

	Counselor Technician	Addictions Counselor
Average salary	$42,314	$47,226
Salary range	Between $26,000 And $67,000	Between $32,000 And $68,000
Highest paying City	New York, NY	Philadelphia, PA
Highest paying state	New York	Pennsylvania
Best paying company	BNY Mellon	Wellpath
Best paying industry	Education	Non Profits

Differences between counselor technician and addictions counselor education

There are a few differences between a counselor technician and an addictions counselor in terms of educational background:

	Counselor Technician	Addictions Counselor
Most common degree	Bachelor's Degree, 53%	Bachelor's Degree, 53%
Most common major	Psychology	Psychology
Most common college	California State University - Long Beach	Hunter College of the City University of New York

Counselor technician vs addictions counselor demographics

Here are the differences between counselor technicians' and addictions counselors' demographics:

	Counselor Technician	Addictions Counselor
Average age	39	39
Gender ratio	Male, 45.6% Female, 54.4%	Male, 35.4% Female, 64.6%
Race ratio	Black or African American, 11.4% Unknown, 4.6% Hispanic or Latino, 15.4% Asian, 4.6% White, 63.2% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.9%	Black or African American, 11.4% Unknown, 4.6% Hispanic or Latino, 15.4% Asian, 4.6% White, 63.2% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.9%
LGBT Percentage	12%	12%

Differences between counselor technician and addictions counselor duties and responsibilities

Counselor technician example responsibilities.

Manage the dispute resolution/litigation process; responding to and resolving threaten litigation; responding to subpoenas and regulatory inquiries and investigations.
Transport clients to AA and NA meetings.
Transport clients to N/A or AA meetings each day, and also to the YMCA for recreational purposes.
Provide written documentation, facilitate group and individual programming and ensure safety of patients.
Supervise and/or escort patients in their medical and/or therapeutic treatments conduct by other professionals.
Manage the dispute resolution/litigation process; responding to and resolving threaten litigation; responding to subpoenas and regulatory inquiries and investigations.

Addictions counselor example responsibilities.

Ensure and manage the compliance with Didi Hirsch policies and procedures, contracts and other regulatory agencies, HIPAA and DMH.
Develop treatment plans and recommend a level of care within ASAM and DSM-IV guidelines, and approve requirements.
Restore patients to productive roles by educating them about available community base organizations, and social and employment services.
Perform initial evaluations and intakes, make eligibility determinations, conduct rehabilitation planning and problem solving, and counseling.
Provide drug, alcohol, and rehabilitation counseling and education in a residential therapeutic community for female drug offenders.
Serve as an advocate for family with private/public school-relate agencies (IEP meetings/education plans).

Counselor technician vs addictions counselor skills

Common counselor technician skills

Intellectual Property, 17%
Patients, 11%
Substance Abuse, 10%
Litigation, 9%
Mental Health, 7%
Crisis Intervention, 6%

Common addictions counselor skills

Patients, 18%
Social Work, 12%
Chemical Dependency, 6%
Crisis Intervention, 6%
Substance Abuse Treatment, 5%
Intake Assessments, 4%

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Counselor Technician
Counselor Technician vs Addictions Counselor

Updated January 8, 2025

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