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Employment counselor vs clinical counselor

The differences between employment counselors and clinical counselors can be seen in a few details. Each job has different responsibilities and duties. Additionally, a clinical counselor has an average salary of $54,191, which is higher than the $43,848 average annual salary of an employment counselor.

The top three skills for an employment counselor include litigation, employment law and HR. The most important skills for a clinical counselor are social work, patients, and foster care.

Employment counselor vs clinical counselor overview

Employment CounselorClinical Counselor
Yearly salary$43,848$54,191
Hourly rate$21.08$26.05
Growth rate10%17%
Number of jobs29,459146,133
Job satisfaction--
Most common degreeBachelor's Degree, 67%Bachelor's Degree, 55%
Average age4241
Years of experience-4

What does an employment counselor do?

The employment counselor is someone who guides and advises people on how to choose, manage and continue in a career path they've chosen. The employment counselor educates people on each career's pros and cons, giving them insights into what to expect, salary rates, and employment chances in a particular profession. The employment counselor will also show how to excel in a specific career, offer ideas on what training or seminar to attend and what skills to enhance to achieve an edge over others.

What does a clinical counselor do?

A Clinical Counselor interviews clients to assess their mental health and behavioral problems. They examine issues such as substance abuse, depression, stress, aging and self-image.

Employment counselor vs clinical counselor salary

Employment counselors and clinical counselors have different pay scales, as shown below.

Employment CounselorClinical Counselor
Average salary$43,848$54,191
Salary rangeBetween $26,000 And $71,000Between $43,000 And $67,000
Highest paying CitySan Francisco, CABethesda, MD
Highest paying stateCaliforniaMaryland
Best paying companyAppleNovo Nordisk
Best paying industryProfessionalProfessional

Differences between employment counselor and clinical counselor education

There are a few differences between an employment counselor and a clinical counselor in terms of educational background:

Employment CounselorClinical Counselor
Most common degreeBachelor's Degree, 67%Bachelor's Degree, 55%
Most common majorPsychologyPsychology
Most common collegeUniversity of PennsylvaniaCalifornia State University - Long Beach

Employment counselor vs clinical counselor demographics

Here are the differences between employment counselors' and clinical counselors' demographics:

Employment CounselorClinical Counselor
Average age4241
Gender ratioMale, 37.1% Female, 62.9%Male, 28.4% Female, 71.6%
Race ratioBlack 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, 11.3% Unknown, 5.9% Hispanic or Latino, 12.2% Asian, 3.2% White, 67.0% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.4%
LGBT Percentage11%15%

Differences between employment counselor and clinical counselor duties and responsibilities

Employment counselor example responsibilities.

  • Complete reports, manage client files and process WIA billing invoices for tuition and supplies.
  • Manage a caseload of Calworks participants in working towards the goal of self-sufficiency and employment.
  • Monitor caseworkers to ensure rehabilitation services are properly coordinate to aid clients in achieving self-sufficiency.
  • Source, develop, and implement HRIS systems.
  • Provide case management to TANF recipients that move clients to employment.
  • Document in accordance with JCAHO, Medicaid, and all quality improvement standards.
  • Show more

Clinical counselor example responsibilities.

  • Manage a caseload of individuals in programs design to provide vocational rehabilitation and other services to the developmentally disable.
  • Conduct group check-in and co-lead group psychotherapy sessions to help clients identify and manage problems associate with psychiatric conditions.
  • Perform client intake assessments and conduct monthly assessments to identify progress of patients and determine individuals ready to graduate from program.
  • Review charts to ensure that they are in compliance with OASAS standards.
  • Initial assessment, diagnosis, ASAM criteria, treatment planning , 3rd party contact, group and individual therapy.
  • Maintain appropriate documentation per NYS OASAS regulations and APG guidelines
  • Show more

Employment counselor vs clinical counselor skills

Common employment counselor skills
  • Litigation, 16%
  • Employment Law, 14%
  • HR, 10%
  • Employment Litigation, 6%
  • FLSA, 5%
  • Training Programs, 4%
Common clinical counselor skills
  • Social Work, 36%
  • Patients, 8%
  • Foster Care, 7%
  • Independent Living, 6%
  • Child Abuse, 4%
  • Clinical Services, 3%

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