Head counselor vs residential counselor

The differences between head counselors and residential 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 residential counselor. Additionally, a residential counselor has an average salary of $34,117, 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 residential counselor are direct care, medication administration, and mental health.

Head counselor vs residential counselor overview

	Head Counselor	Residential Counselor
Yearly salary	$31,654	$34,117
Hourly rate	$15.22	$16.40
Growth rate	10%	12%
Number of jobs	35,991	81,287
Job satisfaction	-	-
Most common degree	Bachelor's Degree, 73%	Bachelor's Degree, 59%
Average age	42	41
Years of experience	4	4

Head counselor vs residential counselor salary

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

	Head Counselor	Residential Counselor
Average salary	$31,654	$34,117
Salary range	Between $13,000 And $71,000	Between $27,000 And $42,000
Highest paying City	-	Seattle, WA
Highest paying state	-	Washington
Best paying company	-	The Evergreens
Best paying industry	-	Education

Differences between head counselor and residential counselor education

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

	Head Counselor	Residential Counselor
Most common degree	Bachelor's Degree, 73%	Bachelor's Degree, 59%
Most common major	Psychology	Psychology
Most common college	Duke University	California State University - Long Beach

Head counselor vs residential counselor demographics

Here are the differences between head counselors' and residential counselors' demographics:

	Head Counselor	Residential Counselor
Average age	42	41
Gender ratio	Male, 44.0% Female, 56.0%	Male, 33.0% Female, 67.0%
Race ratio	Black 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 Percentage	8%	15%

Differences between head counselor and residential 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.

Residential counselor example responsibilities.

Lead recreational activities for adolescents with ADHD and other behavior disorders.
Engage, educate and empower participants to access community base resources in order to achieve greater self-determination, rehabilitation and recovery.
Train in AMAP, SCIP, and first aid procedures.
Assist residents with ADL, occasionally accompany to medical appointments, administer medications.
Refine an understanding of HIPAA and DMH programs.
Assist special needs students to reach their IEP and treatment plan goals in 1:1 and group settings.

Head counselor vs residential counselor skills

Common head counselor skills

Camper Safety, 44%
Leadership, 16%
CPR, 12%
Role Model, 8%
Conflict Resolution, 4%
Staff Training, 4%

Common residential counselor skills

Direct Care, 9%
Medication Administration, 9%
Mental Health, 8%
Social Work, 7%
Developmental Disabilities, 6%
Mental Illness, 6%