Crisis counselor vs residence counselor

The differences between crisis counselors and residence counselors can be seen in a few details. Each job has different responsibilities and duties. It typically takes 2-4 years to become both a crisis counselor and a residence counselor. Additionally, a crisis counselor has an average salary of $51,142, which is higher than the $34,931 average annual salary of a residence counselor.

The top three skills for a crisis counselor include social work, patients and mental health crisis. The most important skills for a residence counselor are developmental disabilities, CPR, and community resources.

Crisis counselor vs residence counselor overview

	Crisis Counselor	Residence Counselor
Yearly salary	$51,142	$34,931
Hourly rate	$24.59	$16.79
Growth rate	12%	36%
Number of jobs	76,255	78,872
Job satisfaction	-	3
Most common degree	Bachelor's Degree, 64%	Bachelor's Degree, 57%
Average age	41	41
Years of experience	4	4

What does a crisis counselor do?

A crisis counselor is responsible for providing assistance and emotional support to clients under crises or mental health emergencies caused by stress, trauma, grief, and other factors. Most crisis counselors work at clinics or counseling centers, and there are instances where they can be at schools and organizations. Aside from diagnosing and providing specific treatments, a crisis counselor must also build rapport with clients, helping them feel comfortable every step of the way, and serving as a positive influence in their journey to recovery.

What does a residence counselor do?

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.

Crisis counselor vs residence counselor salary

Crisis counselors and residence counselors have different pay scales, as shown below.

	Crisis Counselor	Residence Counselor
Average salary	$51,142	$34,931
Salary range	Between $37,000 And $69,000	Between $28,000 And $43,000
Highest paying City	-	Phoenix, AZ
Highest paying state	-	Washington
Best paying company	-	McLean Hospital
Best paying industry	-	Education

Differences between crisis counselor and residence counselor education

There are a few differences between a crisis counselor and a residence counselor in terms of educational background:

	Crisis Counselor	Residence Counselor
Most common degree	Bachelor's Degree, 64%	Bachelor's Degree, 57%
Most common major	Psychology	Psychology
Most common college	California State University - Long Beach	California State University - Long Beach

Crisis counselor vs residence counselor demographics

Here are the differences between crisis counselors' and residence counselors' demographics:

	Crisis Counselor	Residence Counselor
Average age	41	41
Gender ratio	Male, 22.9% Female, 77.1%	Male, 34.5% Female, 65.5%
Race ratio	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%	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	15%	15%

Differences between crisis counselor and residence counselor duties and responsibilities

Crisis counselor example responsibilities.

Conduct group check-in and co-lead group psychotherapy sessions to help clients identify and manage problems associate with psychiatric conditions.
Conduct mental health evaluations and behavioral health crisis assessments for determination of functioning and mental status of patients.
Provide education to patients about relevant aspects of mental illness and/or chemical dependency to support maximum utilization of treatment.
Train to use CPI, MOAB, and CPR as needed.
Aid callers/chatters suffering from various life crises by use of strong listening skills, empathy, and compassion.
Make patient referrals to outpatient medical clinics, community services, or rehabilitation facilities.

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Residence counselor example responsibilities.

Lead recreational activities for adolescents with ADHD and other behavior disorders.
Provide direct care, behavior management techniques, medication administration and CPR.
Design and supervise day to day activities for patients and construct a social program that provide opportunities for social rehabilitation.
Provide first aid and CPR, and minor medical assistance to residents.
Ensure medication compliance, maintain accurate medication logs, and assist in the development of ADL skills.
Evaluate the effectiveness of counseling programs and patients' progress in resolving identify problems and moving towards define objectives.

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Crisis counselor vs residence counselor skills

Common crisis counselor skills

Social Work, 21%
Patients, 8%
Mental Health Crisis, 6%
Social Services, 5%
Crisis Management, 4%
Suicide Prevention, 4%

Common residence counselor skills

Developmental Disabilities, 17%
CPR, 12%
Community Resources, 8%
Patients, 6%
Mental Illness, 6%
Medication Administration, 5%

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Updated January 8, 2025

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