Developmental training counselor vs residential counselor

The differences between developmental training counselors and residential counselors can be seen in a few details. Each job has different responsibilities and duties. While it typically takes 6-12 months to become a developmental training counselor, becoming a residential counselor takes usually requires 2-4 years. Additionally, a residential counselor has an average salary of $34,117, which is higher than the $27,426 average annual salary of a developmental training counselor.

The top three skills for a developmental training counselor include developmental disabilities, CPR and direct support. The most important skills for a residential counselor are direct care, medication administration, and mental health.

Developmental training counselor vs residential counselor overview

	Developmental Training Counselor	Residential Counselor
Yearly salary	$27,426	$34,117
Hourly rate	$13.19	$16.40
Growth rate	11%	12%
Number of jobs	74,723	81,287
Job satisfaction	-	-
Most common degree	Bachelor's Degree, 50%	Bachelor's Degree, 59%
Average age	45	41
Years of experience	12	4

Developmental training counselor vs residential counselor salary

Developmental training counselors and residential counselors have different pay scales, as shown below.

	Developmental Training Counselor	Residential Counselor
Average salary	$27,426	$34,117
Salary range	Between $22,000 And $32,000	Between $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 developmental training counselor and residential counselor education

There are a few differences between a developmental training counselor and a residential counselor in terms of educational background:

	Developmental Training Counselor	Residential Counselor
Most common degree	Bachelor's Degree, 50%	Bachelor's Degree, 59%
Most common major	Psychology	Psychology
Most common college	Duke University	California State University - Long Beach

Developmental training counselor vs residential counselor demographics

Here are the differences between developmental training counselors' and residential counselors' demographics:

	Developmental Training Counselor	Residential Counselor
Average age	45	41
Gender ratio	Male, 24.0% Female, 76.0%	Male, 33.0% Female, 67.0%
Race ratio	Black or African American, 13.7% Unknown, 4.6% Hispanic or Latino, 10.8% Asian, 2.9% White, 66.4% American Indian and Alaska Native, 1.7%	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	21%	15%

Differences between developmental training counselor and residential counselor duties and responsibilities

Developmental training counselor example responsibilities.

Engage, educate and empower participants to access community base resources in order to achieve greater self-determination, rehabilitation and recovery.
Create and use linguistic bridges for ESL students.
Ensure HIPAA privacy act and labor conditions/laws are followed.
Present findings with recommendations to the IEP meeting participants.
Administer medications per DDS regulations.
Promote continuity of care by accurately and completely communicating to other caregivers the status of patients for which care is provided.

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.

Developmental training counselor vs residential counselor skills

Common developmental training counselor skills

Developmental Disabilities, 26%
CPR, 17%
Direct Support, 14%
ADL, 14%
CPI, 13%
Intellectual Disabilities, 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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Developmental Training Counselor
Developmental Training Counselor vs Residential Counselor

Updated January 8, 2025

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