Direct care counselor vs residence counselor

The differences between direct care counselors and residence counselors can be seen in a few details. Each job has different responsibilities and duties. Additionally, a residence counselor has an average salary of $34,931, which is higher than the $33,422 average annual salary of a direct care counselor.

The top three skills for a direct care counselor include crisis intervention, autism and CPR. The most important skills for a residence counselor are developmental disabilities, CPR, and community resources.

Direct care counselor vs residence counselor overview

	Direct Care Counselor	Residence Counselor
Yearly salary	$33,422	$34,931
Hourly rate	$16.07	$16.79
Growth rate	36%	36%
Number of jobs	123,519	78,872
Job satisfaction	-	3
Most common degree	Bachelor's Degree, 50%	Bachelor's Degree, 57%
Average age	48	41
Years of experience	-	4

What does a direct care counselor do?

A direct care counselor provides direct counseling and assistance to the elderly or individuals with disabilities and mental issues. They usually work at rehabilitation centers or care facilities and work together with nurses or caregivers to administer different treatment plans, monitor and support the patients' progress, and help the patients carry out daily activities such as performing hygienic or routine living tasks. Moreover, a direct care counselor may also develop and implement various healthcare programs and recreational activities while adhering to the facility's policies and regulations.

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.

Direct care counselor vs residence counselor salary

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

	Direct Care Counselor	Residence Counselor
Average salary	$33,422	$34,931
Salary range	Between $22,000 And $49,000	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 direct care counselor and residence counselor education

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

	Direct Care Counselor	Residence Counselor
Most common degree	Bachelor's Degree, 50%	Bachelor's Degree, 57%
Most common major	Psychology	Psychology
Most common college	-	California State University - Long Beach

Direct care counselor vs residence counselor demographics

Here are the differences between direct care counselors' and residence counselors' demographics:

	Direct Care Counselor	Residence Counselor
Average age	48	41
Gender ratio	Male, 31.5% Female, 68.5%	Male, 34.5% Female, 65.5%
Race ratio	Black or African American, 11.4% Unknown, 4.3% Hispanic or Latino, 17.6% Asian, 8.3% White, 57.3% American Indian and Alaska Native, 1.1%	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	7%	15%

Differences between direct care counselor and residence counselor duties and responsibilities

Direct care counselor example responsibilities.

Obtain SCIP-R, CPR, and AMAP certifications.
Provide training to residents in improving ADL and independent living skills per the IHP and any/all relate behavior or medical requirements.
Obtain AMAP certification and administer medications under the supervision of assign nursing staff.
Provide direct care assistance for campers with autism, intellectual disabilities, and/or developmental delays.
Perform one-on-one supervision of children with disabilities including autism, complex mental health problems, and complex behavioral problems.
Help develop and carry-out treatment goals for individual clients as outlined in treatment plans and/or ISP goals and objectives.

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.

Direct care counselor vs residence counselor skills

Common direct care counselor skills

Crisis Intervention, 12%
Autism, 11%
CPR, 10%
Developmental Disabilities, 10%
Incident Reports, 9%
Data Collection, 8%

Common residence counselor skills

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

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Direct Care Counselor
Direct Care Counselor vs Residence Counselor

Updated January 8, 2025

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