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Head counselor vs mental health counselor

The differences between head counselors and mental health 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 head counselor and a mental health counselor. Additionally, a mental health counselor has an average salary of $49,471, which is higher than the $31,654 average annual salary of a head counselor.

The top three skills for a head counselor include camper safety, leadership and CPR. The most important skills for a mental health counselor are social work, patients, and crisis intervention.

Head counselor vs mental health counselor overview

Head CounselorMental Health Counselor
Yearly salary$31,654$49,471
Hourly rate$15.22$23.78
Growth rate10%9%
Number of jobs35,991110,752
Job satisfaction-2
Most common degreeBachelor's Degree, 73%Bachelor's Degree, 58%
Average age4241
Years of experience44

Head counselor vs mental health counselor salary

Head counselors and mental health counselors have different pay scales, as shown below.

Head CounselorMental Health Counselor
Average salary$31,654$49,471
Salary rangeBetween $13,000 And $71,000Between $34,000 And $70,000
Highest paying City-Longview, WA
Highest paying state-Washington
Best paying company-Family Life Counseling & Psychiatric Services
Best paying industry-Health Care

Differences between head counselor and mental health counselor education

There are a few differences between a head counselor and a mental health counselor in terms of educational background:

Head CounselorMental Health Counselor
Most common degreeBachelor's Degree, 73%Bachelor's Degree, 58%
Most common majorPsychologyPsychology
Most common collegeDuke UniversityCalifornia State University - Long Beach

Head counselor vs mental health counselor demographics

Here are the differences between head counselors' and mental health counselors' demographics:

Head CounselorMental Health Counselor
Average age4241
Gender ratioMale, 44.0% Female, 56.0%Male, 31.4% Female, 68.6%
Race ratioBlack or African American, 13.0% Unknown, 5.6% Hispanic or Latino, 14.8% Asian, 5.0% White, 60.9% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.7%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 Percentage8%15%

Differences between head counselor and mental health counselor duties and responsibilities

Head counselor example responsibilities.

  • Manage the dispute resolution/litigation process; responding to and resolving threaten litigation; responding to subpoenas and regulatory inquiries and investigations.
  • Complete full CPR training with certification.
  • Perform CPR and first aid when necessary.
  • Point person overseeing all phases of successful ACA accreditation visit.
  • Analyze product promotional initiatives, advisory board proposals, and medical education initiatives for fraud and abuse and FDA compliance.
  • Prepare ACA accreditation visit binder.
  • Show more

Mental health counselor example responsibilities.

  • Provide clinical consultation to consumers and clients regarding manage care services and other benefits available to them through their EAP programs.
  • Conduct group check-in and co-lead group psychotherapy sessions to help clients identify and manage problems associate with psychiatric conditions.
  • Certify in CPI (crisis intervention technique).
  • Assist with crisis intervention, (CPI) maintains treatment activities.
  • Provide mental health assessment and evaluation of detainees refer by facility staff or identify by pre-screening (booking or nursing).
  • Assess for special needs during booking process.
  • Show more

Head counselor vs mental health counselor skills

Common head counselor skills
  • Camper Safety, 44%
  • Leadership, 16%
  • CPR, 12%
  • Role Model, 8%
  • Conflict Resolution, 4%
  • Staff Training, 4%
Common mental health counselor skills
  • Social Work, 17%
  • Patients, 16%
  • Crisis Intervention, 9%
  • Patient Care, 6%
  • Mental Health Issues, 5%
  • Rehabilitation, 4%

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