Drug abuse counselor vs program counselor

The differences between drug abuse counselors and program counselors can be seen in a few details. Each job has different responsibilities and duties. While it typically takes 4-6 years to become a drug abuse counselor, becoming a program counselor takes usually requires 2-4 years. Additionally, a drug abuse counselor has an average salary of $49,420, which is higher than the $43,820 average annual salary of a program counselor.

The top three skills for a drug abuse counselor include patients, drug abuse and substance abuse education. The most important skills for a program counselor are developmental disabilities, patients, and community integration.

Drug abuse counselor vs program counselor overview

	Drug Abuse Counselor	Program Counselor
Yearly salary	$49,420	$43,820
Hourly rate	$23.76	$21.07
Growth rate	11%	10%
Number of jobs	27,596	133,491
Job satisfaction	-	-
Most common degree	Bachelor's Degree, 58%	Bachelor's Degree, 60%
Average age	39	41
Years of experience	6	4

Drug abuse counselor vs program counselor salary

Drug abuse counselors and program counselors have different pay scales, as shown below.

	Drug Abuse Counselor	Program Counselor
Average salary	$49,420	$43,820
Salary range	Between $35,000 And $68,000	Between $33,000 And $58,000
Highest paying City	-	New York, NY
Highest paying state	-	New York
Best paying company	-	Russell Sage College
Best paying industry	-	Health Care

Differences between drug abuse counselor and program counselor education

There are a few differences between a drug abuse counselor and a program counselor in terms of educational background:

	Drug Abuse Counselor	Program Counselor
Most common degree	Bachelor's Degree, 58%	Bachelor's Degree, 60%
Most common major	Psychology	Psychology
Most common college	California State University - Long Beach	California State University - Long Beach

Drug abuse counselor vs program counselor demographics

Here are the differences between drug abuse counselors' and program counselors' demographics:

	Drug Abuse Counselor	Program Counselor
Average age	39	41
Gender ratio	Male, 36.1% Female, 63.9%	Male, 35.9% Female, 64.1%
Race ratio	Black or African American, 11.4% Unknown, 4.6% Hispanic or Latino, 15.4% Asian, 4.6% White, 63.2% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.9%	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	12%	15%

Differences between drug abuse counselor and program counselor duties and responsibilities

Drug abuse counselor example responsibilities.

Conduct group check-in and co-lead group psychotherapy sessions to help clients identify and manage problems associate with psychiatric conditions.
Consult with physicians regarding increase or decrease of methadone dosage.
Supervise and direct other workers providing services to patients.
Provide individual counseling services to opioid dependent clients in outpatient methadone maintenance treatment.
Participate in policy-shaping rehabilitation committee meetings.
Provide DBT group psychotherapy in inpatient, residential setting serving pregnant teenagers and young mothers.

Program counselor example responsibilities.

Lead recreational activities for adolescents with ADHD and other behavior disorders.
Provide education, within hospital setting, to adolescent psychiatric patients regarding substance abuse and dependency issues.
Receive CPR and first aid certifications.
Attend and receive CPR and basic restraint technique certifications.
Assist each client with compassion to encourage them on their journey to recovery.
Encourage and mentore residents during their recovery and rehabilitation process.

Drug abuse counselor vs program counselor skills

Common drug abuse counselor skills

Patients, 14%
Drug Abuse, 10%
Substance Abuse Education, 10%
Discharge Summaries, 10%
Methadone, 6%
Substance Abuse Issues, 5%

Common program counselor skills

Developmental Disabilities, 11%
Patients, 11%
Community Integration, 9%
CPR, 8%
Social Work, 8%
Medication Administration, 7%

Drug Abuse Counselor vs. similar jobs

Drug Abuse Counselor related careers

Drug Abuse Counselor related jobs

What similar roles do

Zippia Careers
Community and Social Services Industry
Drug Abuse Counselor
Drug Abuse Counselor vs Program Counselor

Updated January 8, 2025

Browse community and social services jobs