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The differences between day camp counselors and youth workers can be seen in a few details. Each job has different responsibilities and duties. It typically takes 2-4 years to become both a day camp counselor and a youth worker. Additionally, a youth worker has an average salary of $32,242, which is higher than the $29,384 average annual salary of a day camp counselor.
The top three skills for a day camp counselor include CPR, kids and cleanliness. The most important skills for a youth worker are direct supervision, CPR, and crisis intervention.
| Day Camp Counselor | Youth Worker | |
| Yearly salary | $29,384 | $32,242 |
| Hourly rate | $14.13 | $15.50 |
| Growth rate | 10% | 9% |
| Number of jobs | 32,895 | 87,360 |
| Job satisfaction | - | 5 |
| Most common degree | Bachelor's Degree, 66% | Bachelor's Degree, 53% |
| Average age | 42 | 42 |
| Years of experience | 4 | 4 |
The job of the camp counselors is to develop recreational plans and oversee camp activities in residential camps. Their duties and responsibilities include organizing camping trips, planning and scheduling group activities, and guiding children and teenagers in various outdoor activities such as swimming and hiking. They are expected to lead campers in emergency procedures and fire drills, explain safety rules and procedures, and provide emotional support to campers. Camp counselors are also responsible for assessing and responding to emergencies when they arise.
Youth workers specialize in handling and providing support to young individuals with behavioral difficulties. They are primarily responsible for devising recreational projects, handling the budget, producing progress reports, managing intervention programs, and counseling troubled youth while keeping their information confidential. There may be instances where one must also search for opportunities and apply for funding or sponsorship. Furthermore, as a youth worker, it is vital to assess an individual's condition to determine their needs and ensure that they will receive the proper treatment.
Day camp counselors and youth workers have different pay scales, as shown below.
| Day Camp Counselor | Youth Worker | |
| Average salary | $29,384 | $32,242 |
| Salary range | Between $19,000 And $44,000 | Between $25,000 And $40,000 |
| Highest paying City | Seattle, WA | Freehold, NJ |
| Highest paying state | Hawaii | New Jersey |
| Best paying company | City of Portland | Salt Lake County |
| Best paying industry | Education | Education |
There are a few differences between a day camp counselor and a youth worker in terms of educational background:
| Day Camp Counselor | Youth Worker | |
| Most common degree | Bachelor's Degree, 66% | Bachelor's Degree, 53% |
| Most common major | Psychology | Criminal Justice |
| Most common college | Duke University | SUNY at Albany |
Here are the differences between day camp counselors' and youth workers' demographics:
| Day Camp Counselor | Youth Worker | |
| Average age | 42 | 42 |
| Gender ratio | Male, 33.4% Female, 66.6% | Male, 42.6% Female, 57.4% |
| Race ratio | Black or African American, 12.9% Unknown, 5.6% Hispanic or Latino, 14.4% Asian, 5.0% White, 61.4% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.7% | Black or African American, 13.4% Unknown, 4.2% Hispanic or Latino, 15.1% Asian, 2.7% White, 63.1% American Indian and Alaska Native, 1.5% |
| LGBT Percentage | 8% | 10% |