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The differences between intake counselors and substance abuse counselors can be seen in a few details. Each job has different responsibilities and duties. While it typically takes 2-4 years to become an intake counselor, becoming a substance abuse counselor takes usually requires 4-6 years. Additionally, an intake counselor has an average salary of $44,574, which is higher than the $43,069 average annual salary of a substance abuse counselor.
The top three skills for an intake counselor include social work, patients and crisis intervention. The most important skills for a substance abuse counselor are patients, substance abuse treatment, and social work.
| Intake Counselor | Substance Abuse Counselor | |
| Yearly salary | $44,574 | $43,069 |
| Hourly rate | $21.43 | $20.71 |
| Growth rate | 12% | - |
| Number of jobs | 77,050 | 78,643 |
| Job satisfaction | - | 5 |
| Most common degree | Bachelor's Degree, 56% | Bachelor's Degree, 57% |
| Average age | 41 | 39 |
| Years of experience | 4 | 6 |
An intake counselor is responsible for monitoring patients with mental disability and substance abuse cases, administering treatment plans according to their medical histories and current needs. Intake counselors diagnose patients' conditions through psychological tests and regular counseling. They also coordinate with the patients' family members, as well as other health professionals, to assess the patients' treatment needs. An intake counselor may also handle the payment for treatment plans and reaching out to the insurance provider upon discussing the patient's case.
Substance abuse counselors act as a support system for people with drug and alcohol problems and other behavioral issues. They help the patients control their behavior until they achieve a full recovery. The mental health counselors aid patients to overcome their chemical dependencies and become self-sufficient individuals. Part of their duty includes meeting clients to evaluate their health and substance issues while creating goals and treatment plans. They teach clients coping mechanisms, refer them to support groups, and engage them in group therapy sessions. Once the patient is stable, they help them re-establish their careers and give updates and reports of progress to the courts. Requirements for the job include a master's degree in counseling and social work.
Intake counselors and substance abuse counselors have different pay scales, as shown below.
| Intake Counselor | Substance Abuse Counselor | |
| Average salary | $44,574 | $43,069 |
| Salary range | Between $32,000 And $60,000 | Between $27,000 And $67,000 |
| Highest paying City | Scottsdale, AZ | Trenton, NJ |
| Highest paying state | Washington | New Hampshire |
| Best paying company | HonorHealth | Erlanger Health System |
| Best paying industry | Health Care | Non Profits |
There are a few differences between an intake counselor and a substance abuse counselor in terms of educational background:
| Intake Counselor | Substance Abuse Counselor | |
| Most common degree | Bachelor's Degree, 56% | Bachelor's Degree, 57% |
| Most common major | Psychology | Psychology |
| Most common college | California State University - Long Beach | California State University - Long Beach |
Here are the differences between intake counselors' and substance abuse counselors' demographics:
| Intake Counselor | Substance Abuse Counselor | |
| Average age | 41 | 39 |
| Gender ratio | Male, 25.5% Female, 74.5% | Male, 34.3% Female, 65.7% |
| Race ratio | 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% | Black or African American, 11.4% Unknown, 4.6% Hispanic or Latino, 15.4% Asian, 4.6% White, 63.2% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.9% |
| LGBT Percentage | 15% | 12% |