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The differences between elementary school counselors and high school counselors can be seen in a few details. Each job has different responsibilities and duties. Additionally, a high school counselor has an average salary of $48,361, which is higher than the $34,984 average annual salary of an elementary school counselor.
The top three skills for an elementary school counselor include social work, professional development and crisis intervention. The most important skills for a high school counselor are mental health, financial aid, and community resources.
| Elementary School Counselor | High School Counselor | |
| Yearly salary | $34,984 | $48,361 |
| Hourly rate | $16.82 | $23.25 |
| Growth rate | 10% | 10% |
| Number of jobs | 92,184 | 93,675 |
| Job satisfaction | - | - |
| Most common degree | Bachelor's Degree, 58% | Bachelor's Degree, 55% |
| Average age | 42 | 42 |
| Years of experience | - | - |
An elementary school counselor is primarily in charge of providing support and counseling to students as they navigate through their academic, social, and personal lives. Their responsibilities typically revolve around developing and executing programs for students' welfare, conducting student evaluations and interviews, mediating on various issues, and assisting students in preparing and processing scholarship applications. Furthermore, there are instances when an elementary school counselor must refer students and parents to social services and conduct interventions when necessary. Should there be any signs of abuse or neglect, It is essential to report to the authorities right away.
High school counselors are professional counselors who assist high school students in developing their academic and social skills as well as serve their social and emotional needs. These counselors are required to have one-on-one sessions with students who are experiencing personal problems. They are required to guide students with their college application process and other avenues such as apprenticeships or training programs. High school counselors must also educate students about issues such as drug abuse, bullying, or other significant problems the students are facing.
Elementary school counselors and high school counselors have different pay scales, as shown below.
| Elementary School Counselor | High School Counselor | |
| Average salary | $34,984 | $48,361 |
| Salary range | Between $18,000 And $64,000 | Between $35,000 And $65,000 |
| Highest paying City | Daly City, CA | Santa Rosa, CA |
| Highest paying state | California | California |
| Best paying company | Success Academy Charter Schools | The American Musical and Dramatic Academy |
| Best paying industry | - | Professional |
There are a few differences between an elementary school counselor and a high school counselor in terms of educational background:
| Elementary School Counselor | High School Counselor | |
| Most common degree | Bachelor's Degree, 58% | Bachelor's Degree, 55% |
| Most common major | Psychology | School Counseling |
| Most common college | University of Pennsylvania | University of Pennsylvania |
Here are the differences between elementary school counselors' and high school counselors' demographics:
| Elementary School Counselor | High School Counselor | |
| Average age | 42 | 42 |
| Gender ratio | Male, 25.0% Female, 75.0% | Male, 31.7% Female, 68.3% |
| Race ratio | Black or African American, 10.6% Unknown, 3.8% Hispanic or Latino, 14.2% Asian, 3.7% White, 67.0% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.6% | Black or African American, 10.6% Unknown, 3.8% Hispanic or Latino, 14.2% Asian, 3.7% White, 67.0% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.6% |
| LGBT Percentage | 11% | 11% |