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Family worker vs youth worker

The differences between family workers and youth 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 worker and a youth worker. Additionally, a family worker has an average salary of $36,992, which is higher than the $32,242 average annual salary of a youth worker.

The top three skills for a family worker include social work, foster care and child care. The most important skills for a youth worker are direct supervision, CPR, and crisis intervention.

Family worker vs youth worker overview

Family WorkerYouth Worker
Yearly salary$36,992$32,242
Hourly rate$17.78$15.50
Growth rate9%9%
Number of jobs101,55287,360
Job satisfaction-5
Most common degreeBachelor's Degree, 64%Bachelor's Degree, 53%
Average age4242
Years of experience44

What does a family worker do?

A family worker's role is to provide an intervention with parents, children, and young persons to help improve outcomes for families and children. The job they do includes working with parents to help strengthen family relationships and their ability to provide support and be community involved closely. They implement a program that helps parents recognize a child's needs, encouraging child self-esteem development, and positive behavior. Moreover, other duties include giving referrals to other community services as required and to assess family progress.

What does a youth worker do?

Youth workers specialize in handling and providing support to young individuals with behavioral difficulties. They are primarily responsible for devising recreational projects, handling the budget, producing progress reports, managing intervention programs, and counseling troubled youth while keeping their information confidential. There may be instances where one must also search for opportunities and apply for funding or sponsorship. Furthermore, as a youth worker, it is vital to assess an individual's condition to determine their needs and ensure that they will receive the proper treatment.

Family worker vs youth worker salary

Family workers and youth workers have different pay scales, as shown below.

Family WorkerYouth Worker
Average salary$36,992$32,242
Salary rangeBetween $28,000 And $48,000Between $25,000 And $40,000
Highest paying City-Freehold, NJ
Highest paying state-New Jersey
Best paying company-Salt Lake County
Best paying industry-Education

Differences between family worker and youth worker education

There are a few differences between a family worker and a youth worker in terms of educational background:

Family WorkerYouth Worker
Most common degreeBachelor's Degree, 64%Bachelor's Degree, 53%
Most common majorPsychologyCriminal Justice
Most common collegeHunter College of the City University of New YorkSUNY at Albany

Family worker vs youth worker demographics

Here are the differences between family workers' and youth workers' demographics:

Family WorkerYouth Worker
Average age4242
Gender ratioMale, 15.1% Female, 84.9%Male, 42.6% Female, 57.4%
Race ratioBlack 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 Percentage10%10%

Differences between family worker and youth worker duties and responsibilities

Family worker example responsibilities.

  • Help children/youth in state custody achieve permanency whether through reintegration, adoption or custodianship.
  • Create service plans and attend administrative case reviews at the DCFS office.
  • Work with families developing and implementing permanent plan in accordance with DCFS policy, procedures, and accreditation standards.
  • Mediate conflicts between patients, handle medical emergencies, assist patients in developing and implementing positive and cooperative living skills.
  • Accompany the families to the IEP meeting and help them deal with any issues or concerns that arise.
  • Assess and evaluate all refer students and make plans to implement any need social services such as following IEP plans.
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Youth worker example responsibilities.

  • Assist in achieving and maintaining DoD certification and national accreditation or equivalent compliance.
  • Certify in CPR, and basic first aid.
  • Demonstrate patience, compassion, and understanding while helping with homework.
  • Stay current with require safety certifications including CPR, first aid, and fire protection.
  • Conduct research, create newsletters and PowerPoint presentations.
  • Provide supervision and supportive rehabilitation for detain youths in a maximum security prison.
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Family worker vs youth worker skills

Common family worker skills
  • Social Work, 22%
  • Foster Care, 11%
  • Child Care, 9%
  • Crisis Intervention, 7%
  • Community Resources, 5%
  • Substance Abuse, 3%
Common youth worker skills
  • Direct Supervision, 12%
  • CPR, 11%
  • Crisis Intervention, 10%
  • at-Risk Youth, 8%
  • Youth Development, 6%
  • Role Model, 5%

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