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Group home counselor vs program counselor

The differences between group home counselors and program counselors can be seen in a few details. Each job has different responsibilities and duties. It typically takes 2-4 years to become both a group home counselor and a program counselor. Additionally, a program counselor has an average salary of $43,820, which is higher than the $38,203 average annual salary of a group home counselor.

The top three skills for a group home counselor include developmental disabilities, behavioral problems and community integration. The most important skills for a program counselor are developmental disabilities, patients, and community integration.

Group home counselor vs program counselor overview

Group Home CounselorProgram Counselor
Yearly salary$38,203$43,820
Hourly rate$18.37$21.07
Growth rate-10%
Number of jobs79,344133,491
Job satisfaction--
Most common degreeBachelor's Degree, 54%Bachelor's Degree, 60%
Average age4141
Years of experience44

Group home counselor vs program counselor salary

Group home counselors and program counselors have different pay scales, as shown below.

Group Home CounselorProgram Counselor
Average salary$38,203$43,820
Salary rangeBetween $29,000 And $48,000Between $33,000 And $58,000
Highest paying City-New York, NY
Highest paying state-New York
Best paying company-Russell Sage College
Best paying industry-Health Care

Differences between group home counselor and program counselor education

There are a few differences between a group home counselor and a program counselor in terms of educational background:

Group Home CounselorProgram Counselor
Most common degreeBachelor's Degree, 54%Bachelor's Degree, 60%
Most common majorPsychologyPsychology
Most common collegeCalifornia State University - Long BeachCalifornia State University - Long Beach

Group home counselor vs program counselor demographics

Here are the differences between group home counselors' and program counselors' demographics:

Group Home CounselorProgram Counselor
Average age4141
Gender ratioMale, 38.1% Female, 61.9%Male, 35.9% Female, 64.1%
Race ratioBlack 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%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 Percentage15%15%

Differences between group home counselor and program counselor duties and responsibilities

Group home counselor example responsibilities.

  • Engage, educate and empower participants to access community base resources in order to achieve greater self-determination, rehabilitation and recovery.
  • Provide mentally impair or emotionally disturb patients with routine emotional and psychological care under the direction of nursing or medical staff.
  • Promote continuity of care by accurately and completely communicating to other caregivers the status of patients for which care is provided.
  • Maintain therapeutic relationships with youth through effective teaching and coaching techniques to provide leadership and foster relationship building skills.

Program counselor example responsibilities.

  • Lead recreational activities for adolescents with ADHD and other behavior disorders.
  • Provide education, within hospital setting, to adolescent psychiatric patients regarding substance abuse and dependency issues.
  • Receive CPR and first aid certifications.
  • Attend and receive CPR and basic restraint technique certifications.
  • Assist each client with compassion to encourage them on their journey to recovery.
  • Encourage and mentore residents during their recovery and rehabilitation process.
  • Show more

Group home counselor vs program counselor skills

Common group home counselor skills
  • Developmental Disabilities, 14%
  • Behavioral Problems, 8%
  • Community Integration, 8%
  • Direct Care, 6%
  • Medication Administration, 5%
  • Medical Appointments, 5%
Common program counselor skills
  • Developmental Disabilities, 11%
  • Patients, 11%
  • Community Integration, 9%
  • CPR, 8%
  • Social Work, 8%
  • Medication Administration, 7%

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