Junior counselor vs residential counselor

The differences between junior 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 junior counselor and a residential counselor. Additionally, a residential counselor has an average salary of $34,117, which is higher than the $24,086 average annual salary of a junior counselor.

The top three skills for a junior counselor include child care, CPR and role model. The most important skills for a residential counselor are direct care, medication administration, and mental health.

Junior counselor vs residential counselor overview

	Junior Counselor	Residential Counselor
Yearly salary	$24,086	$34,117
Hourly rate	$11.58	$16.40
Growth rate	10%	12%
Number of jobs	38,145	81,287
Job satisfaction	-	-
Most common degree	Bachelor's Degree, 57%	Bachelor's Degree, 59%
Average age	42	41
Years of experience	4	4

Junior counselor vs residential counselor salary

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

	Junior Counselor	Residential Counselor
Average salary	$24,086	$34,117
Salary range	Between $11,000 And $50,000	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 junior counselor and residential counselor education

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

	Junior Counselor	Residential Counselor
Most common degree	Bachelor's Degree, 57%	Bachelor's Degree, 59%
Most common major	Psychology	Psychology
Most common college	Northwestern University	California State University - Long Beach

Junior counselor vs residential counselor demographics

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

	Junior Counselor	Residential Counselor
Average age	42	41
Gender ratio	Male, 43.1% Female, 56.9%	Male, 33.0% Female, 67.0%
Race ratio	Black or African American, 13.0% Unknown, 5.6% Hispanic or Latino, 15.2% Asian, 5.1% White, 60.4% 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 junior counselor and residential counselor duties and responsibilities

Junior counselor example responsibilities.

Guide and nurture campers by accompanying them to and assisting with camp activities, and lead hiking and canoe trips
Enhance safety on the field and in the pool with first-aid and CPR certifications.
Improve the flow of church services by using PowerPoint to assist a pastor speaking to a large congregation.
Assist in developing leadership skills and oversee a variety of after-school activities.
Demonstrate flexibility and creativity when developing age appropriate recreational activities and programs under short notice and encouraging all kids to participate.
Facilitate activities including reading, basketball, and kickball

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.

Junior counselor vs residential counselor skills

Common junior counselor skills

Child Care, 58%
CPR, 13%
Role Model, 6%
Art Projects, 3%
Mathematics, 3%
CIT, 3%

Common residential counselor skills

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

Junior Counselor vs. similar jobs

Junior Counselor related careers

Junior Counselor related jobs

What similar roles do

Zippia Careers
Personal Care and Attendants Industry
Junior Counselor
Junior Counselor vs Residential Counselor

Updated January 8, 2025

Browse personal care and attendants jobs