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The differences between elementary school counselors and substance abuse counselors can be seen in a few details. Each job has different responsibilities and duties. Additionally, a substance abuse counselor has an average salary of $43,069, 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 substance abuse counselor are patients, substance abuse treatment, and social work.
| Elementary School Counselor | Substance Abuse Counselor | |
| Yearly salary | $34,984 | $43,069 |
| Hourly rate | $16.82 | $20.71 |
| Growth rate | 10% | - |
| Number of jobs | 92,184 | 78,643 |
| Job satisfaction | - | 5 |
| Most common degree | Bachelor's Degree, 58% | Bachelor's Degree, 57% |
| Average age | 42 | 39 |
| Years of experience | - | 6 |
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.
Substance abuse counselors act as a support system for people with drug and alcohol problems and other behavioral issues. They help the patients control their behavior until they achieve a full recovery. The mental health counselors aid patients to overcome their chemical dependencies and become self-sufficient individuals. Part of their duty includes meeting clients to evaluate their health and substance issues while creating goals and treatment plans. They teach clients coping mechanisms, refer them to support groups, and engage them in group therapy sessions. Once the patient is stable, they help them re-establish their careers and give updates and reports of progress to the courts. Requirements for the job include a master's degree in counseling and social work.
Elementary school counselors and substance abuse counselors have different pay scales, as shown below.
| Elementary School Counselor | Substance Abuse Counselor | |
| Average salary | $34,984 | $43,069 |
| Salary range | Between $18,000 And $64,000 | Between $27,000 And $67,000 |
| Highest paying City | Daly City, CA | Trenton, NJ |
| Highest paying state | California | New Hampshire |
| Best paying company | Success Academy Charter Schools | Erlanger Health System |
| Best paying industry | - | Non Profits |
There are a few differences between an elementary school counselor and a substance abuse counselor in terms of educational background:
| Elementary School Counselor | Substance Abuse Counselor | |
| Most common degree | Bachelor's Degree, 58% | Bachelor's Degree, 57% |
| Most common major | Psychology | Psychology |
| Most common college | University of Pennsylvania | California State University - Long Beach |
Here are the differences between elementary school counselors' and substance abuse counselors' demographics:
| Elementary School Counselor | Substance Abuse Counselor | |
| Average age | 42 | 39 |
| Gender ratio | Male, 25.0% Female, 75.0% | Male, 34.3% Female, 65.7% |
| 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, 11.4% Unknown, 4.6% Hispanic or Latino, 15.4% Asian, 4.6% White, 63.2% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.9% |
| LGBT Percentage | 11% | 12% |