Family service counselor vs foster care worker

The differences between family service counselors and foster care workers can be seen in a few details. Each job has different responsibilities and duties. It typically takes 2-4 years to become both a family service counselor and a foster care worker. Additionally, a family service counselor has an average salary of $49,490, which is higher than the $46,037 average annual salary of a foster care worker.

The top three skills for a family service counselor include social work, community resources and family services. The most important skills for a foster care worker are foster care, social work, and child abuse.

Family service counselor vs foster care worker overview

	Family Service Counselor	Foster Care Worker
Yearly salary	$49,490	$46,037
Hourly rate	$23.79	$22.13
Growth rate	9%	9%
Number of jobs	84,595	151,625
Job satisfaction	-	-
Most common degree	Bachelor's Degree, 60%	Bachelor's Degree, 64%
Average age	42	42
Years of experience	4	4

Family service counselor vs foster care worker salary

Family service counselors and foster care workers have different pay scales, as shown below.

	Family Service Counselor	Foster Care Worker
Average salary	$49,490	$46,037
Salary range	Between $32,000 And $76,000	Between $32,000 And $65,000
Highest paying City	Trenton, NJ	Baltimore, MD
Highest paying state	New Jersey	New Jersey
Best paying company	Phoenix Children's	Riverview Health
Best paying industry	Government	Construction

Differences between family service counselor and foster care worker education

There are a few differences between a family service counselor and a foster care worker in terms of educational background:

	Family Service Counselor	Foster Care Worker
Most common degree	Bachelor's Degree, 60%	Bachelor's Degree, 64%
Most common major	Psychology	Social Work
Most common college	University of Pennsylvania	Boston University

Family service counselor vs foster care worker demographics

Here are the differences between family service counselors' and foster care workers' demographics:

	Family Service Counselor	Foster Care Worker
Average age	42	42
Gender ratio	Male, 37.8% Female, 62.2%	Male, 20.1% Female, 79.9%
Race ratio	Black or African American, 13.4% Unknown, 4.2% Hispanic or Latino, 15.1% Asian, 2.7% White, 63.1% American Indian and Alaska Native, 1.5%	Black or African American, 13.4% Unknown, 4.2% Hispanic or Latino, 15.1% Asian, 2.7% White, 63.1% American Indian and Alaska Native, 1.5%
LGBT Percentage	10%	10%

Differences between family service counselor and foster care worker duties and responsibilities

Family service counselor example responsibilities.

Maintain the HMIS databases for new leads and existing client s needs.
Design and implement new position utilizing community outreach counseling and support services for patients in partial hospital and outpatient programs.
Perform drug screens after hours so the kids wouldn't miss school.
Maintain and upkeep knowledge of current policy and program procedures for programs administer by DHS.
Identify and assess needs of minors place in care by DCF due to abuse or neglect.
Coordinate cases with supervisor, team members, providers, medical teams, DCF and attorneys as needed.

Foster care worker example responsibilities.

Conduct unscheduled regular school visits to attain records of attendance, suspensions, IEP, and treatment plans.
Manage to write progress note, complete FASP's and input information on PROMIS on a timely manner.
Manage caseload of 18 23 children and adolescents in DSS custody due to abuse, neglect and criminal activity.
Manage a caseload of families with children in DSS custody awaiting return home to family of origin base upon progress make.
Lead presentation and training sessions to community and inter-agency groups.
Help children/youth in state custody achieve permanency whether through reintegration, adoption or custodianship.

Family service counselor vs foster care worker skills

Common family service counselor skills

Social Work, 22%
Community Resources, 13%
Family Services, 10%
Mental Health, 7%
Client Families, 6%
Child Abuse, 3%

Common foster care worker skills

Foster Care, 26%
Social Work, 19%
Child Abuse, 7%
Social Services, 6%
Foster Children, 5%
Community Resources, 4%

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Community and Social Services Industry
Family Service Counselor
Family Service Counselor vs Foster Care Worker

Updated January 8, 2025

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