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The differences between high school counselors and school social workers can be seen in a few details. Each job has different responsibilities and duties. Additionally, a school social worker has an average salary of $54,856, which is higher than the $48,361 average annual salary of a high school counselor.
The top three skills for a high school counselor include mental health, financial aid and community resources. The most important skills for a school social worker are social work, social emotional, and IEP.
| High School Counselor | School Social Worker | |
| Yearly salary | $48,361 | $54,856 |
| Hourly rate | $23.25 | $26.37 |
| Growth rate | 10% | 9% |
| Number of jobs | 93,675 | 122,376 |
| Job satisfaction | - | - |
| Most common degree | Bachelor's Degree, 55% | Master's Degree, 51% |
| Average age | 42 | 42 |
| Years of experience | - | 4 |
High school counselors are professional counselors who assist high school students in developing their academic and social skills as well as serve their social and emotional needs. These counselors are required to have one-on-one sessions with students who are experiencing personal problems. They are required to guide students with their college application process and other avenues such as apprenticeships or training programs. High school counselors must also educate students about issues such as drug abuse, bullying, or other significant problems the students are facing.
A school social worker specializes in counseling students, families, and faculty members. They are responsible for coordinating with the school to develop programs that prioritize the students' emotional and psychological well-being, respond to any issues and concerns, build rapport to identify their needs, and communicate with support services to provide necessary assistance to any students or families. There are also instances when a school social worker must assist teachers in handling students with behavioral issues, investigating the underlying reasons. Moreover, it is crucial to identify any signs of neglect or abuse, conducting interventive measures right away.
High school counselors and school social workers have different pay scales, as shown below.
| High School Counselor | School Social Worker | |
| Average salary | $48,361 | $54,856 |
| Salary range | Between $35,000 And $65,000 | Between $40,000 And $73,000 |
| Highest paying City | Santa Rosa, CA | Washington, DC |
| Highest paying state | California | Washington |
| Best paying company | The American Musical and Dramatic Academy | Boston Public Schools |
| Best paying industry | Professional | Education |
There are a few differences between a high school counselor and a school social worker in terms of educational background:
| High School Counselor | School Social Worker | |
| Most common degree | Bachelor's Degree, 55% | Master's Degree, 51% |
| Most common major | School Counseling | Social Work |
| Most common college | University of Pennsylvania | Boston College |
Here are the differences between high school counselors' and school social workers' demographics:
| High School Counselor | School Social Worker | |
| Average age | 42 | 42 |
| Gender ratio | Male, 31.7% Female, 68.3% | Male, 17.5% Female, 82.5% |
| Race ratio | Black or African American, 10.6% Unknown, 3.8% Hispanic or Latino, 14.2% Asian, 3.7% White, 67.0% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.6% | 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 | 11% | 10% |