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Detention worker vs youth worker

The differences between detention workers 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 detention worker and a youth worker. Additionally, a detention worker has an average salary of $35,072, which is higher than the $32,242 average annual salary of a youth worker.

The top three skills for a detention worker include crisis intervention, perform intake and incident reports. The most important skills for a youth worker are direct supervision, CPR, and crisis intervention.

Detention worker vs youth worker overview

Detention WorkerYouth Worker
Yearly salary$35,072$32,242
Hourly rate$16.86$15.50
Growth rate10%9%
Number of jobs21,86387,360
Job satisfaction-5
Most common degreeBachelor's Degree, 54%Bachelor's Degree, 53%
Average age4242
Years of experience44

Detention worker vs youth worker salary

Detention workers and youth workers have different pay scales, as shown below.

Detention WorkerYouth Worker
Average salary$35,072$32,242
Salary rangeBetween $22,000 And $55,000Between $25,000 And $40,000
Highest paying City-Freehold, NJ
Highest paying state-New Jersey
Best paying company-Salt Lake County
Best paying industry-Education

Differences between detention worker and youth worker education

There are a few differences between a detention worker and a youth worker in terms of educational background:

Detention WorkerYouth Worker
Most common degreeBachelor's Degree, 54%Bachelor's Degree, 53%
Most common majorCriminal JusticeCriminal Justice
Most common collegeUniversity of PennsylvaniaSUNY at Albany

Detention worker vs youth worker demographics

Here are the differences between detention workers' and youth workers' demographics:

Detention WorkerYouth Worker
Average age4242
Gender ratioMale, 55.1% Female, 44.9%Male, 42.6% Female, 57.4%
Race ratioBlack or African American, 10.4% Unknown, 6.0% Hispanic or Latino, 15.1% Asian, 5.1% White, 62.6% 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 Percentage8%10%

Differences between detention worker and youth worker duties and responsibilities

Detention worker example responsibilities.

  • Lead support groups with an emphasis on recovery and strength base techniques, DBT, CBT, self-care and coping skills.
  • Recognize risk factors quickly, collaborate with interdisciplinary team, nurture positive relationships with patients through consistency and modeling healthy boundaries.
  • Examine injured persons and administer first aid or cardiopulmonary resuscitation, if necessary, using training and medical supplies and equipment.

Youth worker example responsibilities.

  • Assist in achieving and maintaining DoD certification and national accreditation or equivalent compliance.
  • Certify in CPR, and basic first aid.
  • Demonstrate patience, compassion, and understanding while helping with homework.
  • Stay current with require safety certifications including CPR, first aid, and fire protection.
  • Conduct research, create newsletters and PowerPoint presentations.
  • Provide supervision and supportive rehabilitation for detain youths in a maximum security prison.
  • Show more

Detention worker vs youth worker skills

Common detention worker skills
  • Crisis Intervention, 22%
  • Perform Intake, 13%
  • Incident Reports, 13%
  • Emergency Situations, 12%
  • CPR, 7%
  • Juvenile Programs, 5%
Common youth worker skills
  • Direct Supervision, 12%
  • CPR, 11%
  • Crisis Intervention, 10%
  • at-Risk Youth, 8%
  • Youth Development, 6%
  • Role Model, 5%

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